I haven't had good luck with my state's website, so I went to a local office to get help. The place opened at 0800. I arrived at 7:10 am and there were 10 people ahead of me. The crowd increased to about 50. There were 2 black people, 1 white person, and the rest were Latino. We waited outside and the guard let us in the building at 0750. We were given a number.
At 0800 the guard let us on the elevator to go to the second floor by calling our number, 15 people at a time. I was in the first group.
Once upstairs, someone signed us in with a tablet and said your number will be called soon (last 4 digits of phone number). The center employs an electronic visit management system that you see on a screen.
My number is called and the triage lady asked me if I pay for my plan or if it is free. Which insurance vendor do I have?
At 1000 my name was called. The lady said it took so long because it takes longer to process people with a paid plan. Apparently most there were getting healthcare for free, as I waited longer than many who came after me. I told her I wanted to change my plan from Bronze to Gold. The lady scanned my Income Statement and asked me did I want to increase my income from $32000 (june estimate) to $35000 (current estimate). I said Yes. She then said I have verified your income, no one will call you to ask for additional information.
She then lead me to a waiting room where I was to see a Insurance Broker to choose a plan. I waited about 25 mnutes and then my name was called. I saw the broker. She had me sign into my account and she found the plan I wanted. She told me to take pictures of the screen to verify the price quoted. She said I would get a bill soon. Wound up with $260 for a Gold $0 deductable plan. I was paying $6.91 for a Bronze Plan with $6800 deductable.
So that was it. I was done about 1045 am. She said next year just call her and she will make me an appt so I don't have to go to the office.
I really don't like this process, I felt like I was at a welfare office
with all the crowds and crying children.
What was your experience? Did you get an affordable plan?
At 0800 the guard let us on the elevator to go to the second floor by calling our number, 15 people at a time. I was in the first group.
Once upstairs, someone signed us in with a tablet and said your number will be called soon (last 4 digits of phone number). The center employs an electronic visit management system that you see on a screen.
My number is called and the triage lady asked me if I pay for my plan or if it is free. Which insurance vendor do I have?
At 1000 my name was called. The lady said it took so long because it takes longer to process people with a paid plan. Apparently most there were getting healthcare for free, as I waited longer than many who came after me. I told her I wanted to change my plan from Bronze to Gold. The lady scanned my Income Statement and asked me did I want to increase my income from $32000 (june estimate) to $35000 (current estimate). I said Yes. She then said I have verified your income, no one will call you to ask for additional information.
She then lead me to a waiting room where I was to see a Insurance Broker to choose a plan. I waited about 25 mnutes and then my name was called. I saw the broker. She had me sign into my account and she found the plan I wanted. She told me to take pictures of the screen to verify the price quoted. She said I would get a bill soon. Wound up with $260 for a Gold $0 deductable plan. I was paying $6.91 for a Bronze Plan with $6800 deductable.
So that was it. I was done about 1045 am. She said next year just call her and she will make me an appt so I don't have to go to the office.
I really don't like this process, I felt like I was at a welfare office
with all the crowds and crying children.What was your experience? Did you get an affordable plan?
