California Exchange Website Could Be Delayed

The website for California's new health insurance exchange, Covered California, may not be fully operational when open enrollment is set to begin Oct. 1, according to a Los Angeles Times report.

State officials will know more after computer tests are completed early next month, according to the report. It isn't clear yet whether the site will be ready by the deadline, Covered California Executive Director Peter Lee told the Times. If the site isn't up and running in October, consumers will have alternate ways to sign up through enrollment counselors, agents and call centers.

Earlier this month, California signed contracts with 12 health insurers confirming their participation in the state's health insurance exchange.  A recent poll suggests state residents' awareness of the new marketplace is low, with only 25 percent of California voters younger than 65 saying they have heard a lot or some about Covered California.

California isn't the only state to report potential issues with its exchange website. Oregon officials have said the state's online health insurance exchange, Cover Oregon, will still launch on Oct. 1 but will not be fully accessible until mid-October or later.

More Articles on Health Insurance Exchanges:
Oregon Online Exchange Won't be Fully Accessible Oct. 1
PPACA Insurance Rates to be Up to 36% Lower Than Expected
Insurance Exchanges Will Experience Healthy Competition, Analysis Finds