Covered California Processes More Than 16,000 Applications In First Week
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Covered California leaders are saying they've seen lots of activity on the health exchange's site since it launched a week ago.
New numbers out on Tuesday show there have been nearly 1 million visitors to its website, nearly 60,000 phone calls, and more than 16,000 applications processed.
Director Peter Lee said the application process over the phone and online is now easier and faster since the program was launched on Oct. 1.
"We designed Covered California to run at about 80 mph Day 1, we were probably running at about 30, 40 mph," Lee said. "Today we are running at about 55 mph."
People have complained that wait times over the phone were way too long.
"I had been waiting a week for them to make the adjustments to the website," said Paul Torrigino.
But Lee says they've cut the wait time by more than half.
"We've adjusted when we have people on the phone, we get ready for calls better," he said.
They've also been addressing complaints of the slow site by increasing its bandwidth.
Torrigino said he still had trouble accessing the website until Monday morning.
"I couldn't see any place on the site where I could actually click to enroll, but after they did the repairs, I was able to do it," he said.
He says the $500 a month policy he's now eligible for is a huge relief.
"They will kick in $490, so it's only a few dollars a month that I'll have to pay for this policy," Torrigino said, "where otherwise it would cost me $500 a month. I couldn't do it!"
Lee also said they have added a survey for users at the end of the enrollment process to help figure out which issues need fixed.
Also, a new call center will be added next month to help handle the call load.
