OK Employees Instructed To Defer ObamaCare Questions To Feds
Navigators prepare for launch of health care site By SEAN MURPHY, Associated Press
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma’s nearly 640,000 residents without health insurance soon will have a place to shop for coverage, but they shouldn’t expect much help from state officials.
Because Oklahoma opted not to create a state-based exchange for consumers to shop for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, a new federal Health Insurance Marketplace was created that goes live on Tuesday. Consumers can begin shopping, comparing and buying health insurance plans online at healthcare.gov or in person with help of trained navigators and counselors.
State employees have been directed not to answer questions about the new federal exchange, but instead to direct citizens to federal officials.
In response to virtually any question about the Affordable Care Act, state employees are being instructed to tell residents who inquire: “I’m not trained or certified to answer questions about the Federal Insurance Marketplace, but I can provide you with some contact information that might be appropriate.”