When I read the Dec. 23 story in which a Starksboro man could not add his spouse and child to his health insurance on the Vermont Health Connect website, I was relieved to see I was not the only person who had that problem. I, too, could not figure out how to add my spouse, so I sent an email to Vermont Health Connect. After waiting two days for a reply, I called and was put on hold for 45 minutes before someone answered and took my information. I was told the problem would be cured within 10 business days, and someone would call me. That was Dec. 4, and nothing has happened as of Dec. 27.
Part of the problem with the website is the huge number of irrelevant questions, such as “Are you registered to vote? If not, do you want us to send you a registration form?” and “How did you learn about the website?” I seem to recall no fewer than nine security-related questions. When I called, I was asked a number of questions regarding my and my spouse’s income, even though neither of us was applying for financial assistance.
I was a big fan of a single-payer system, but I’m starting to have second thoughts. How is Vermont going to manage health care if it can’t even manage the sign-up process?
Ed Rybka
New Haven