Exchange Launch Means Website Problems

In the first 24 hours of the health insurance exchanges launching online, there were 4.7 million visitors to the website.

Three days after the exchanges open, eastern Idahoans trying to access the website said all they’ve seen are error messages, frozen screens, and technical glitches.

Teresa Baird who is looking for insurance met with insurance broker Rudy Ballard to buy a health insurance plan.

Baird has been trying to browse the policies for the past three days, but all she’s done is wait in front of a screen.

“Yesterday it was two and half hours,” said Baird.

Today she hopes for a better outcome with a little help.

After asking a few questions Ballard found our Baird’s insurance won’t cost much.

“Yeah, not only will you have cheap inexpensive insurance your claims will also be covered. that’s pretty cool,” said Ballard.

Ballard said if you fall in between a certain income bracket your insurance will be cheap.

“Normally for a single person it’s between $25,000 and $35,000. A family of four or family of six right around $38,000 to $45,000 range. That’s your sweet spot,” said Ballard.

Ballard and Baird tried to get past the login screen, but they were unable to.

Executive director of Your Health Idaho, Amy Dowd, said they are aware of the problems people are having.

“We’ve received reports additional server capacity has been added and performance will improve but i don’t have any idea when exactly that will happen.”

Dowd added, even though there is a lot of frustration there is plenty of time until the December 15th deadline to shop around.