Tech Problems And Language Barriers Getting In The Way Of Federal Health Coverage For Some
By Pat Loeb
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- More technical problems in the federal health insurance marketplace could cause thousands of people to lose their coverage this week.
Federal health officials say they need additional documents from some 300,000 new enrollees, but advocates say language barriers and computer glitches are getting in the way.
Health officials sent letters last month, telling enrollees they need to send proof of citizenship or legal immigration status to verify their eligibility, or lose coverage on September 5th.
Amy Jones of Philadelphia's Southeast Asian Mutual Assistance (Associations) Coalition says the notices are in English. "Many people do not know what they say, or that they are important," she said. "Many have been putting them aside or throwing them away."
SEAMAAC has done its own outreach and has helped many new enrollees, but has run into problems with the website.
"Several of our clients continue to receive these notices even after sending in their documents several times," she said.
SEAMAAC is among the groups that have shared these concerns with federal officials. Repeated requests for comment from the officials went unanswered.
