Free Daily Headlines :

  • COVID-19
  • Vaccine Info
  • Money
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Health
  • Justice
  • More
    • Environment
    • Economic Development
    • Gaming
    • Investigations
    • Social Services
    • TRANSPORTATION
  • Opinion
    • CT Viewpoints
    • CT Artpoints
DONATE
Reflecting Connecticut’s Reality.
    COVID-19
    Vaccine Info
    Money
    Politics
    Education
    Health
    Justice
    More
    Environment
    Economic Development
    Gaming
    Investigations
    Social Services
    TRANSPORTATION
    Opinion
    CT Viewpoints
    CT Artpoints

LET�S GET SOCIAL

Show your love for great stories and out standing journalism

Obamacare coverage problems? Here’s what you need to know

  • Health
  • by Arielle Levin Becker
  • January 9, 2014
  • View as "Clean Read" "Exit Clean Read"

Nine days after health plans sold as part of the federal health law were slated to take effect, some state residents are still struggling to get their coverage set up. Here’s what you need to know about the payment deadlines, what to do if you need an insurance ID card, who to call if you’re having problems, what you can do if you need a prescription filled before you get your insurance information, and the deadlines to know if you’re still shopping for coverage.

Payment deadlines

If you signed up for private insurance through Access Health CT by Dec. 23, you will receive coverage retroactive to Jan. 1 if you pay your first month’s premium by the following dates:

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield: Jan. 31 (as of Jan. 13; the deadline was previously earlier)

ConnectiCare Benefits: Jan. 15

HealthyCT: Jan. 17 (payments will be accepted if they are postmarked by the 17th)

If you have paid your January premium bill but have not received an ID card: Your options depend on your insurance company.

Anthem allows people to print temporary ID cards from its website. Members must log in, then, under “Resources,” select “Print Temporary ID Card.” This will open a new screen with the temporary ID card, which can be printed.

Some Anthem customers have reported that they have submitted payment by check or electronically, but have not had the money deducted from or charged to their accounts, making them unable to print ID cards. The Mirror has asked Anthem about potential payment processing issues but has not received an answer.

Anthem has provided additional information for members, including those whose payments have not been processed or who need to see a doctor but have not received an insurance ID number, here.

Unlike the other carriers, ConnectiCare mails insurance ID cards before it receives people’s payments. The payments must be made for the coverage to be activated. People who have not received an ID card can print a temporary one from the company’s website.

HealthyCT allows people who have paid their bills but not received ID cards to print temporary ID cards through its website.

If you have questions about your coverage or have not received a bill, you can call:

Anthem: 1-855-738-6644.

Customers can also email the company by clicking here. People who use that mailbox can expect an answer in two business days, according to Anthem.

ConnectiCare: 860-674-5757 or 1-800-251-7722 (TDD/TYY Services: 1-800-842-9710)

HealthyCT: 1-855-458-4928

If you are eligible for Medicaid (HUSKY) and have questions, you can call the Department of Social Services at 1-855-6-CONNECT (1-855-626-6632) (TTD/TTY 1-800-842-452

If you’d like additional assistance, you can call:

The state Office of the Healthcare Advocate: 1-866-HMO-4446

In many cases, callers will be referred to their insurance carriers. But the office has been working to expedite coverage for insurance customers who need immediate medical services, such as ongoing cancer treatment or scheduled surgery.

The Connecticut Insurance Department’s consumer affairs division: 1-800-203-3447 or 860-297-3900

In many cases, callers will be referred to their insurance carriers. People can file complaints with the division, which is one way to try to get answers from an insurer. That process can take more than a week, however, so is unlikely to produce immediate answers.

If you need a prescription filled:

Some pharmacies are providing medications to patients who signed up for coverage through health insurance exchanges but have not yet received plan ID numbers from their insurers.

Walgreens said it will provide up to a month of medications at no upfront costs to people who show confirmation that they have enrolled through a state exchange, or whose eligibility can be verified by pharmacy staff. This offer runs through the end of the month.

CVS said it will help patients experiencing a temporary disruption in insurance coverage with getting a 15- or 30-day supply of medication. The offer is available “in some circumstances and based on clinical considerations,” according to the company. For patients with financial hardships, the medication might be provided “as a courtesy.” CVS’ MinuteClinics will offer similar options.

Rite Aid said that in cases where people enrolled in coverage through state exchanges but have not received plan identification numbers, pharmacy staff will help the customer verify eligibility and use their benefits. Customers must bring confirmation of their enrollment. During January, pharmacists can provide a 15- to 30-day supply of medication at no cost to people who enrolled in exchange plans but don’t have prescription benefit information available yet. Those customers might be required to pay any applicable co-payments under the terms of their coverage, according to the company.

Walmart said it will fill a supply of up to 30 days for prescriptions with no upfront cost to customers who have enrolled in coverage through state health insurance exchanges but have not yet received their plan ID information. The offer is available through the end of the month.

Still want to enroll? Here are the deadlines

If you have not signed up for private insurance through Access Health CT but wish to do so, the following deadline apply:

[iframe src=”https://projects.ctmirror.org/content/2014/01/exchangeDeadline/” scrolling=”no” width=”100%” height=”265″]

Sign up for CT Mirror's free daily news summary.

Free to Read. Not Free to Produce.

The Connecticut Mirror is a nonprofit newsroom. 90% of our revenue comes from people like you. If you value our reporting please consider making a donation. You'll enjoy reading CT Mirror even more knowing you helped make it happen.

YES, I'LL DONATE TODAY

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

SEE WHAT READERS SAID

RELATED STORIES
Grocery store workers ‘disgusted’ with Lamont’s new COVID-19 vaccine policy
by Keith M. Phaneuf

Grocery store workers are frustrated with Gov. Ned Lamont, who is no longer prioritizing them in the coronavirus vaccination schedule.

Breaking with national recommendations, Lamont says Connecticut’s vaccine rollout will now be prioritized by age
by Jenna Carlesso and Keith M. Phaneuf

People aged 55 to 64 will be next in line for the vaccine.

Medicare cuts payment to 774 hospitals over patient complications
by Jordan Rau | Kaiser Health News

Six Connecticut hospitals are cited in 2021.

Why we can’t make vaccine doses any faster
by Isaac Arnsdorf and Ryan Gabrielson | ProPublica

Vaccine supply chains are extremely specialized and sensitive, relying on expensive machinery, highly trained staff and finicky ingredients.

Boston Fed chief predicts strong economic recovery begins in 2nd half of 2021 if vaccine reaches enough people
by Keith M. Phaneuf

A strong economic rebound also depends on states helping those hit hardest by COVID-19, a federal reserve official said.

Support Our Work

Show your love for great stories and outstanding journalism.

$
Select One
  • Monthly
  • Yearly
  • Once
Artpoint painter
CT ViewpointsCT Artpoints
Opinion Gas pipeline will threaten water quality, wildlife and wetlands
by Susan Eastwood

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has granted tentative approval of the 401 water quality certification for the Pomfret to Killingly natural gas pipeline. I urge DEEP to deny the 401 certification, as the proposed pipeline would violate the Connecticut’s water quality standards, and the conditions in the draft certification fail to protect our streams, wetlands, and wildlife.

Opinion Connecticut and the other Connecticut. Which will endure?
by Ezra Kaprov

What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘Connecticut’? Possibly, you think of a 43-year-old Puerto Rican man who arrived here with his family following Hurricane Maria. He works full-time as a machinist at the Sikorsky plant, and he coaches a prizefighter on the side.

Opinion COVID-19 increases urgency for legislature to pass medical aid-in-dying law
by Dr. Gary Blick

The COVID-19 crisis has exposed the profound tragedy of loved ones dying alone, in a hospital or nursing home, without the care and comfort of loved ones surrounding them. This pandemic also demonstrates the fragility of life, the limits of modern medicine to relieve suffering, and has magnified the systemic racial disparities in our healthcare system, resulting in higher hospitalization and death rates for people in communities of color. We must eradicate these disparities, so everyone has equal access to the full range of end-of-life care options.

Opinion Three fallacies and the truth about vaccines
by Kerri M. Raissian, Ph.D. and Dr. Jody Terranova

Connecticut’s Public Health Committee recently heard public testimony regarding HB6423 and SB568 --  bills that would remove the religious exemption (the medical exemption would rightfully remain in place) from vaccination in order to attend school.  The religious exemption allows parents to effectively opt their children out of vaccines. In doing so, these families can still send their children to Connecticut’s schools, daycares, colleges, and camps.  This places other children at risk of contracting vaccine-preventable illnesses, and it is imperative the Connecticut legislature remove this exception.

Artwork Grand guidance
by Anne:Gogh

In a world of systemic oppression aimed towards those of darker skintones – representation matters. We are more than our equity elusive environments, more than numbers in a prison and much more than victims of societal dispositions. This piece depicts a melanated young man draped in a cape ascending high above multiple forms of oppression. […]

Artwork Shea
by Anthony Valentine

Shea is a story about race and social inequalities that plague America. It is a narrative that prompts the question, “Do you know what it’s like to wake up in new skin?”

Artwork The Declaration of Human Rights
by Andres Chaparro

Through my artwork I strive to create an example of ideas that reflect my desire to raise social consciousness, and cultural awareness. Jazz music is the catalyst to all my work, and plays a major influence in each piece of work.”

Artwork ‘A thing of beauty. Destroy it forever’
by Richard DiCarlo | Derby

During times like these it’s often fun to revisit something familiar and approach things with a different slant. I have been taking some Pop culture and Art masterpieces and applying the vintage 1960’s and 70’s classic figures (Fisher Price, little people) to the make an amusing pieces. Here is my homage to Fisher -Price, Yellow […]

Twitter Feed
A Twitter List by CTMirror

Engage

  • Reflections Tickets & Sponsorships
  • Events
  • Donate
  • Newsletter Sign-Up
  • Submit to Viewpoints
  • Submit to ArtPoints
  • Economic Indicator Dashboard
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Commenting Guidelines
  • Legal Notices
  • Contact Us

About

  • About CT Mirror
  • Announcements
  • Board
  • Staff
  • Sponsors and Funders
  • Donors
  • Friends of CT Mirror
  • History
  • Financial
  • Policies
  • Strategic Plan

Opportunity

  • Advertising and Sponsorship
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Use of Photography
  • Work for Us

Go Deeper

  • Steady Habits Podcast
  • Economic Indicator Dashboard
  • Five Things

The Connecticut News Project, Inc. 1049 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105. Phone: 860-218-6380

© Copyright 2021, The Connecticut News Project. All Rights Reserved. Website by Web Publisher PRO