Shorter Form for Medical Healthcare Insurance

Banks and  lenders have made efforts in simplifying their disclosure forms so consumers can more easily understand the types of fees and terms they are getting.

This time federal officials are trying to do something different. US health officials are trying to reduce the number of paper necessary for people to apply for coverage under the new health insurance marketplaces, or exchanges, that are to begin operating this season. The exchanges are part of the Affordable Care Act.

Previously the form from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services was a 21-page booklet that would have taken an estimated 45 minutes to complete.

After long efforts of consumer advocates that form which needs to be filled up was too overwhelming for most of people, the government introduced shorter versions. The form for individuals who aren’t offered insurance by their employer is now three pages, while the form for families is 12 pages.

The nonprofit group aims to educate consumers about the new law and help them obtain coverage.

But Kaiser Health News questioned whether the forms were actually simpler, or just shorter. The form for families, for instance, previously had pages to list health information for six separate family members. Now, the news service says, the form just has space for two people. So if your family is larger, you’ll have to make photocopies of the page for the additional members.

The forms can be submitted beginning Oct. 1, according to the agency. Consumers can fill out the application on paper, over the phone or online. The online version should take less time, according to the centers, because it will eliminate some questions based on the applicant’s responses.

What do you think of the new forms? Do you plan to apply for coverage through the new marketplaces? Leave your thoughts via Comments or via mail we will discuss this and try to pass on same to law makers.