They want to know about that?
Will the new healthcare reform insurance application (aka Obamacare) become a bureaucratic paperwork nightmare? A review of the current federal health insurance application by Associated Press estimates it might be more challenging than doing your taxes. Currently, the federal paperwork and online application that will be filled out in states where the federal government is managing the health insurance exchange may run as long as 15 pages for a family of three.
New federal health insurance app looks short
For a family that currently has had to fill out a 30 page application for underwriting, including fine print, acknowledgment of exclusions, agreeing to arbitration and HIPPA regulation, 15 pages seems like a breeze. In addition, because the Obamacare insurance will be issued regardless of pre-existing conditions, there will be none of those leading and probing questions about your health.
You know those friendly “get to know you” questions like –
- Has it been more than 40 days since your last menstrual cycle?
- Are you pregnant or an expectant father?
- Do you have any retained hard ware, like, breast implants?
- Have you had an abnormal pap smear?
- Have you been treated for a sexually transmitted infection?
- Male infertility?
- Hemorrhoids?
If applicant answers “Yes” or “Not Sure” to any of the above questions, they should be prepared to be either a) denied, b) face a grand inquisition necessitating loads of supporting documentation and a rate increase for being less than perfect.
Are you a citizen?
The new healthcare reform applications will focus on verifying citizenship and income. While citizenship is pretty straight forward, income verification is important to those who may qualify for the expanded Medicaid program or subsidized health insurance premiums.
What is your income?
One of the issues is that individuals and families with incomes between 100% up to 400% of the federal poverty line are eligible for assistance with the insurance premiums. Consequently, the application will need to apply the federal poverty line for the specific geographic area to the income of the family and verify the income sources. There will also be a periodic review in case someone loses a job and becomes eligible for more assistance or gets a better paying job and no longer qualifies for assistance.
Covered California
It has been a real focal point for the California health insurance exchange, Covered California, to design a compact application, streamlined, that covers Medicaid, premium assistance eligible and standard plans offered through the exchange but not eligible for the insurance tax credits.
Multiple jobs, income could slow down application
The folks that are eligible for Medicaid or premium assisted plans and don’t have health insurance now will probably be the families that will need the most help getting through the application. There is no way around a cumbersome application that needs to ask numerous questions about income and jobs. I can see real speed bumps in filling out the application when parents juggle multiple jobs that also might be seasonal. How much did you make make from those part time jobs you had last winter and spring? This is the downfall of government bureaucracy. But once the initial paperwork is completed and verified, the family will be covered and they will only need to report when their income changes.
Rough road ahead
My gut says the roll out of the health insurance application and subsequent coverage is going to be a rocky road for some. Those with employer coverage will just watch on the side lines as people claw their way through the paperwork and opponents of healthcare reform shout “I told you so”. But I am telling you so now, be prepared for the inevitable glitches of bringing health insurance to all Americans.