HealthCare.gov's New EZ Form Cannot Be Used By Legal Immigrants
By Christine Kern, contributing writer
Some opponents criticize the move as yet another hurdle for immigrants in obtaining healthcare.
In a move to make the process simpler and more efficient, HealthCare.gov has introduced a new EZ form for application. The trouble is, is cannot be used by legal immigrants, causing some criticism from immigration advocates.
“The whole idea was that HealthCare.gov was going to be a seamless and easy process, but that doesn't seem to be the case for immigrants,” said Alvaro Huerta, an attorney at the National Immigration Law Center in Los Angeles, according to AP News. “I think this is happening because the federal government hasn't taken the steps necessary to resolve issues with their verification system.”
Andy Slavitt, the top technology official for HealthCare.gov, defended the government insurance platform, and told AP News there have been several improvements aimed at simplifying the process for immigrants, including expanding the list of acceptable proof of eligibility documents and updating the computer system to accept foreign characters in user names.
“I wouldn't say by any means that we have achieved the best we can, but I do think we have taken appropriate steps across the board,” Slavitt said. “I would suspect in future years we will be able to do more and more electronically.”
But Heuerta counters, “Immigrants could be unjustly excluded even though they are eligible.”
As the largest minority group in the United States, Latinos are an important constituency for HealthCare.gov, and the administration is looking to register more of them under Obamacare in 2015. Hispanics tend to be younger and have a higher uninsured rate.
Open enrollment for 2015 begins November 15, and estimates show that as many as 6 million new enrollees will enter the healthcare program, bringing the total insured under Obamacare to roughly 13 million Americans.
Illegal immigrants are not eligible for insurance through HealthCare.gov, and strict proof of citizenship status is required to sign up. However, there are millions of those of legal status in the nation who are entitled to benefits under the Obamacare marketplace.
Slavitt insists that the administration has not overlooked immigrants, explaining that because of legal requirements some applicants have a greater burden of proof than others and must supply additional documentation to support their eligibility. He also said he thinks immigrants will benefit indirectly from the EZ application because it may free call-center operators from handling routine cases.
The revamped EZ application features 16 screens total, a significant reduction from the 76 screens on last year’s applications. Immigrants and naturalized citizens are considered “complex cases,” however, and are not eligible to use the EZ application process.
“I wouldn't say by any means that we have achieved the best we can, but I do think we have taken appropriate steps across the board,” Slavitt said. “I would suspect in future years we will be able to do more and more electronically.”
“The immigrant community has been a particular thrust, and more of a passion, for us,” Slavitt said. “These are the people our team spent time with all of the year. If we don't make it easier for them on the front end, it will mean spending more time with them on the back end.”