Adding a new baby to plan not easy

APNewsBreak: Adding a new baby to plan not easy
In this Dec. 11, 2013, file photo, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington. There's another quirk to the Obama administration's new health insurance system: it lacks a way for consumers to quickly and easily update their coverage for the birth of a baby and other common life changes. It's a reminder that the new coverage for many uninsured Americans comes with a third party in the mix: the feds. And the system's wiring for some vital federal functions isn't yet fully connected. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

(AP)—Another quirk has surfaced with the Obama administration's new health insurance system: There's no easy way to update your coverage for a new baby and other common life events.

With regular , parents just notify the .

The administration says babies will still be covered, but parents must now tell the government, too.

The problem is the HealthCare.gov website can't handle such updates yet.

It's not just a new baby that could trigger bureaucratic hassles, but other life changes affecting a consumer's taxpayer-subsidized premiums.

That includes marriage and divorce, a death, a new job or a change in income, even moving to a different community.

Officials say for now consumers should just notify their insurer.

They're working on an upgrade so HealthCare.gov can handle such updates, too.

© 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Citation: Adding a new baby to plan not easy (2014, January 3) retrieved 19 April 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2014-01-adding-baby-easy.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

2.1 million sign up for 'Obamacare' health insurance

 shares

Feedback to editors