Health exchanges go live, with a few snags

(RealMoney) – The Obama administration unveiled a pillar of its signature health care overhaul on Tuesday, launching insurance marketplaces -- or exchanges – just as a partial government shutdown went into effect. 

Error messages initially appeared on the exchanges of at least 34 states, where federally-run exchanges went live at 8 a.m. EDT. The messages indicated online traffic as a reason for the problems.

 “We have built a dynamic system and are prepared to make adjustments as needed and improve the consumer experience,” Health and Human Services spokeswoman Joanne Peters said in a statement.

The administration predicted glitches during the roll-out of the new system, where Americans are expected to gain access to subsidized insurance plans.

Nearly 3 million people had visited the site by mid-day, as operators fielded more than 80,000 calls to government help-lines.

Peters suggested consumers go online to localhelp.healthcare.gov to find “navigators,” or community helpers who can assist in the enrollment process.  

A majority of those who qualify for the exchanges are eligible for tax credits, which are expected to reduce consumers’ monthly premiums.

For the next six months, they will be able to evaluate a variety of “metallic” health plans on the new system, with separate exchanges run by 14 states and the District of Columbia.

The bronze level plan, for example, has the lowest premium, but has higher out-pocket costs in terms of co-pays and deductibles – typically covering about 60% of those costs. 

The silver plans covers 70%, gold covers 80%, and platinum covers 90%, though also maintaining the highest premium.

Coverage does not begin until January 1.  Those who are uninsured and do not enroll face a $95 penalty, or about 1% of annual income, around tax time.

After March 31, consumers can only enroll if they have experience a major life event such as marriage or divorce.

Meanwhile, the Affordable Care Act remains at the center of a hotly-contested debate on Capitol Hill, as House Republicans press to delay the individual mandate – a key part of what is perhaps the most wide-reaching social program created since Medicare and Medicaid. 

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