ECF’s Michelle Robertson Helps Erie Resident Enroll in Exchange

ERIE, Pa., Dec. 12 -- Erie Community Foundation issued the following news release:

Jean Comeau tried selecting a health plan on her own through the Affordable Care Act's Health Insurance Marketplace, but she couldn't get past the glitches that have plagued www.healthcare.gov.

So when Comeau, of Erie, learned about free enrollment/information sessions at the Blasco Library, she signed up for a tutorial.

"My employer doesn't provide insurance," said Comeau, 58, a home health aide. "I go to my primary care physician when absolutely necessary and pay cash, but I'd like to have health insurance."

Comeau was one of five people who braved frigid weather to attend the first of several sessions conducted by Community Health Net in the library's computer lab. Twenty others had signed up for the later sessions.

Each person was guided by either a certified marketplace navigator or certified enrollment counselor, people trained to help others enroll online.

"I'm so glad there are people here to help," said Shunie Epps, 41, of Erie. "I tried to go online myself but it did not work out. It's going better here, but I have questions."

The technical problems that made it almost impossible to navigate the website in October have been reduced, but not eliminated, allowing more people to enroll and select a health plan.

About 365,000 people nationwide have signed up for health insurance through the exchange as of Nov. 30, compared to about 106,000 at the end of October. In Pennsylvania, about 12,000 people have enrolled through November compared to just 2,200 as of Oct. 31.

"We are able to help most people through the process in one visit," said Michelle Robertson, Erie County's only certified marketplace navigator. "Some days the system is slow, but not like it was."

It took Comeau and counselor Patrick Kinzig about an hour to input all of the information needed to enroll in the marketplace. They then looked at available plans and realized the cost was far higher than it should have been.

"That's about half of my salary," Comeau said.

"There's a mistake with the income," Kinzig said as he typed in correct information.

Just as Kinzig was trying to correct Comeau's family income, the website crashed. No one could get on healthcare.gov for about 20 minutes.

Then just as suddenly, the website was up and working again. Comeau soon had new health plan rates that included significant tax rebates.

She chose a Highmark Community Blue plan that will cost her $57.79 a month with a $5,500 annual deductible and $6,350 maximum annual out-of-pocket expense. Her coverage should begin Jan. 1.

"I want the plan with the lowest monthly premium," Comeau said. "I'm very healthy."

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