Posted on 12/14/2013 9:30:33 AM PST by bkopto
For the second week in a row, the Washington Healthplanfinder website is down, and it's causing problems for people who are dealing with billing issues. Some of them say the website is mistakenly debiting their accounts.
Shannon Bruner of Indianola logged on to her checking account Monday morning, and found she was almost 800 dollars in the negative. “The first thing I thought was, ‘I got screwed,’” she said.
The Bruners enrolled for insurance on the Washington Healthplanfinder website, last October. They say they selected the bill pay date to be December 24th. Instead the Washington Healthplanfinder drafted the 835 dollar premium Monday.
Josh Bruner started his own business this year as an engineering recruiter. They said it’s forced them to pay a lot of attention to their bills and their bank accounts.
“Big knot in my gut because we're trying to keep it together,” said Shannon Bruner. “It's important to me that this kind of stuff doesn't happen.”
They're not alone.
One viewer emailed KING 5 saying, "They drafted my account this morning for a second time."
Another woman on Facebook with a similar problem commented, "We are all in the same boat."
“We've got to figure out how to get money to pay the bills for the next week or two until we have another check come through,” said Josh Bruner. “It's just crazy.”
Washington Healthplanfinder emailed the Bruners a few days ago telling them to log in to view their invoice, something they couldn't do because the website has been down. The Bruners haven't been able to get through on the helpline either. They finally contacted Healthplanfinder administrators by posting a message on their Facebook page.
Washington Healthplanfinder tells KING 5 their staff is looking into the problem.
Until it's resolved, the couple is putting their best face forward. “We haven't bought anyone's Christmas gifts yet,” said Shannon Bruner. “We're just kind of waiting.”
“We wrote a check to our nanny last week, it isn't going to work,” said Josh Bruner. “So she can't get paid.”
Obamacare is like the Hindenburg crashing into the Titanic
I should have more sympathy for these victims of government malfeasance, but it’s hard to work up a tear when they are most likely parasites who supported this evil law. When the thugs try to prosecute decent Americans who refused to participate, then I’ll feel some sympathy, but not when those who hoped to victimize others become the victims.
Given my druthers, I’ll pay by electronic check rather than let a company draft from my checking account.
Obama voters, getting some hard and hurtful “servicing” by the corrupt government they voted into place. There’s a certain amount of schadenfreude in that.
That's what I was thinking. Who in their right mind would allow a government entity, with a shaky system, to access their bank account? This is a hacker's wet dream.
Maybe this is another phase of 'bummer care ' that we haven't learned yet?
Maybe they - you - won't have your 'druthers' but MUST pay through auto-pay?
Part of the bill DOES give them access to all your accounts...why would they need that? (other than the other end, where the IRS extracts your 'penalty' fees -
Greenpeace has an ad claiming Christmas is kaput because the north pole and Santa Clause are melting.
Looks like they just got their reason wrong.
“We are the one” biggest problem this country has ever seen.
Absolutely.
Our home/auto insurance is eBill, but I can generate a paper invoice, which I pay by check. I hate that my Medicare Supplement and my husband’s health insurance are direct debit.
If all your bills are direct debit, what happens when your personal access to the bank account is interrupted? Combine that with direct deposit and everyone could be SOL in a power outage situation.
You are an idiot. People like me, here in this state had their insurance policies cancelled and are being forced to use this nightmare.
Just yesterday, I was wondering why I have not received any handbooks or ID cards for the policy I had to buy to replace my cancelled policy last month. That’s when I noticed this exchange had yet to bill my credit card, I paid the first premium for January on Nov.5 but the card won’t be charged until December Sunday the 15th.
Stick your self righteousness where the Sun doesn’t shine. The two couples cited are from very conservative cities around Washington, not that it matters, we had over 300,000 people get cancellation notices last October. Many of those like me, hate Obamacare and never voted for the man.
Instead of crying about their misfortune, they should have their rep by the throat demanding restitution. Or, there will be retribution.
Eventually, your employer will just send your whole paycheck directly to the IRS and they will decide how much you can keep and deposit the balance directly into your bank account. Any of that Tea Party stuff, and your cut just might go down to 5%. :)
No you are not. Anyone can go directly to insurance companies and purchase insurance just like you could before Obamacare. The only difference is that the PPACA bill will require you to have insurance that contains coverage for things you probably didn't have coverage for, before (because you didn't need it).
That barely affects premium.
Now, what about "Guaranteed Issue"?
“Josh Bruner started his own business this year...”
He should probably get a government job. Or join a union.
Seriously, I think one aspect of obamacare is to reduce the number of small, INDEPENDENT businesses.
With regard to private insurance, my plan in WA got cancelled but the insurance company put me on another one that met the obamacare mandates. Price went up a bunch. But, it was even higher through the state website. (I don’t qualify for assistance). Check with an insurance broker - they don’t charge anything to find health insurance for you. Not sure about how pre-existing conditions are handled by private insurance.
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