Getting Health Insurance in MA

[Betty]

I have had my health insurance through the MA Health connector over the past few years and never had a problem dealing with the website.

I got a letter a few weeks ago telling me that the policy I have is being discontinued and that I have to apply all over again, which frankly surprised me.

But I went to the MA website, ( we don't get the federal one) and long story short, I've tried about five times with absolutely no success... The website is completely fucked up, does not allow me to sign up, for various reasons....something always goes wrong. I called the number, was on hold one day for a half hour and gave up. called again a few days ago, was on hold for maybe ten minutes, but finally did talk to a live person. With some effort, I convinced him that the website doesn't work and it's not me doing it wrong, and he agreed to enroll me over the phone. I spent about a half hour talking to him, and he could not access the website during the call, so he was I guess writing my info down. we got about half way through the process, and the call was disconnected. So I still am not signed up.

So my question, if there are any Mass people who might see this, has anyone else had a similar experience or has anyone had any success with this? I am amazed at what a cluster fuck this is. Why is this not working now when we had a perfectly functioning website previously?

[Warpy]

1. I find the whole thing so infuriating, they had THREE YEARS

to set this stuff up but dragged their feet because the USSC would declare it unconstitutional or the Clown Congress would vote it down, or, or, or.

It seems the phones don't work any better than the stupid website does.

[RBInMaine]

2. This poster is talking about the MASSACHUSETTS website. Do you have any insights on IT?

[Warpy]

5. No, I just wonder why it broke down so conveniently after working just fine

for a very long time under nearly the same plan there.

I'm guessing there might be some serious monkeywrenching going on.

[Betty]

6. I wonder too

How is it that here in the birthplace of this whole thing, does everything on the MA site blow up once the federal system is up and running? And I don't get any sense of urgency from the state website that they are any too concerned about it.. Check out their Facebook page, you'll see tons of complaints and seemingly robotic non answers to the complaints.

[Mass]

3. It is an absolute mess.

My husband was on the exchange and on Nov 1rst, they called everybody to tell them they have to reregister -- apparently the MA exchange is not to the federal exchange norms --.
Like you, we tried to sign on on line. It did not work (we were able to enter the information but when we tried to submit them we were disconnected.

Then we decided to download the application form (38 pages, but we had done it previously so nothing new). We filled it (which took 4 calls to the hotline because some questions were not that clear). When we finally finished filling the application and mailing it, we received a letter saying his insurance (MassHealth) was continued, and that we would receive more information in December [so about 2 to 3 hours lost for nothing].

Not sure where you live (there seems to be places where people can help you, but in our Central Massachusetts, we could not locate anybody), but I think the best way to do thios is to print the document, fill it, and mail it [with tracking] and then wait for their answer. In all these years dealing with Masshealth, it has been the best way to work with them. Once this is done, give them a couple weeks and if you do not receive anything, call them.

BTW, you have to be ready to wait for more than 10 minutes. I think the first time, my husband was on hold for nearly an hour. Once you have a live body, they tend to be useful.

NOTE: https://bettermahealthconnector.org/learn/individuals-and-families-faq/
Here is the link for the other methods of registering.

[Narraback]

4. I had no problem at all. Simple,easy and saving $200 a month for very simial silver level

Blue Cross policy. I was also in the MA Heath Connector for years. I had absolutely no online issues.