Despite a last-ditch effort to boost Obamacare sign-ups, some consumers who want to get tax credits to lower the cost of health insurance before the March 31 deadline could run into a glitch if they file a paper application instead of filing online.
The Hawai‘i Health Connector, the online insurance marketplace that is the cornerstone of President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act, launched a new statewide enrollment drive last week. But the possible delay in processing paper applications could hurt that effort.
Connector applicants who want financial assistance must first be deemed ineligible for Medicaid, the health insurance program for low-income residents run by the state Department of Human Services.
If paper applications are faxed or mailed, DHS has up to 45 days to process them, said spokeswoman Kayla Rosenfeld. She added that if applications are done online via Kolea, DHS’ new automated Medicaid eligibility system, it has been a "much shorter turnaround time," averaging about two days if completed properly.
DHS received 20,861 paper applications — some for Medicaid and some for the Connector — and 13,611 online applications since open enrollment started Oct. 1.
DHS is seeking legal advice from the state attorney general’s office as to whether Connector applicants held up by the 45-day processing period can get an extention on the March 31 deadline, Rosenfeld said. Connector officials said they are also waiting to see what the attorney general says.
As of Feb. 1 the Connector had enrolled 3,614 individuals in new health plans. Many applicants haven’t yet been enrolled because their applications were incomplete.
The Connector is working with them to complete applications.
"We’re continuing to see an upward trend in enrollment through the Connector as we approach the March 31 open enrollment deadline," Tom Matsuda, the Connector’s interim executive director, said in a statement. "We are consulting federal regulations and working with the state Department of Human Services on how to best take care of those who are seeking financial assistance for their health plan."
The Connector announced last week that it has created targeted advertisements and online tools to encourage uninsured residents to sign up for coverage through community outreach groups that are helping with enrollment efforts. The nonprofit said the new ad campaign is a shift from its initial broad-based public awareness program.
