Deadline week crunch for health law sign-ups under Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration came into office looking  to dismantle Barack Obama’s health care law, but the Affordable Care Act  survived. Now the administration is on the hook to deliver a smooth  ending to sign-up season, with a crush of customers expected this week.

For millions of eligible consumers time runs out on Friday.

Dec. 15 is the last day for procrastinators to enroll in subsidized  private coverage in 39 states served by the federal HealthCare.gov  website. Consumer interest has remained brisk, even as the Trump  administration cut the sign-up season in half, reducing it from roughly  from 90 days to 45 days.

“It’s more likely than ever that they’re going to run into real  volume problems in the last week because that’s when everybody is going  to show up,” said Tim Jost, a legal analyst who closely follows the  workings of the ACA.

Heavy traffic could slow the website, and lead to long hold times at  the federal call center. For the vast majority, this is the last  opportunity to secure coverage for 2018, or switch from an existing  plan. One exception: People living in hurricane-affected areas can get  an extension to sign up by Dec. 31 by contacting the HealthCare.gov call  center. That could make a difference in states such as Texas and  Florida.

Enrollment fluctuates in the course of the year, but it’s estimated  that 9 million to 10 million people currently have coverage through the  ACA’s marketplaces. The markets cater to people who don’t have access to  a job-based plan, and participation is expected to dip somewhat next  year.

In a twist, many people eligible for financial help may actually be  able to pay lower premiums in 2018. Although list price premiums for the  most popular plans went up sharply, so did taxpayer-provided subsidies  that limit how much individuals actually have to pay. In many  communities, bare-bones “bronze” plans are available for no monthly  premium to those eligible for subsidies.

Sign-up season has been free of problems up to now, insurers say.  Scheduled early Sunday maintenance shutdowns have not been a disruption.

Nonetheless, administration officials at the Health and Human  Services department are saying little about their contingency plans for  the final week. That’s a contrast from the Obama years.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which also  administers the ACA, did say that the deadline hour will remain the same  this year — midnight Pacific time. That means consumers on the East  Coast will have until 3 a.m. on Saturday morning to enroll.

Although the Trump administration slashed the advertising budget,  HealthCare.gov has been sending out targeted emails to people  potentially eligible. Examples:

  • “Don’t forget: Friday, December 15 is the last day to pick a 2018 Marketplace plan.”
  • “FINAL DEADLINE: Enroll in a 2018 health plan before December 15 or risk going without Marketplace coverage.”
  • “Come back to HealthCare.gov to select a plan before the final deadline or risk missing out on 2018 Marketplace coverage.”

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