HealthCare.gov CEO Kevin Counihan has said the federal health insurance exchange website will become so user friendly that it will prompt consumers to become "raving fans" of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, according to a Bloomberg report.
For instance, during the 2015 open enrollment period (which starts Nov. 1), people will experience a shorter and simpler registration process. They will also be able to "window shop" about a week before the enrollment period begins, according to the report.
Last month, Mr. Counihan — the former head of Connecticut's PPACA exchange — told The New York Times the upcoming enrollment period could "make last year look like the good old days," although officials have worked to address the technical problems that plagued HealthCare.gov and some of the state exchanges last year. The challenges will stem from the exchanges handling more consumers, with the roughly 8 million people who signed up last year renewing their coverage while others sign up for the first time. Additionally, the enrollment period will also last only three months (through Feb. 15), compared with six last year.
HealthCare.gov has faced some recent security troubles, as well. Hackers successfully accessed one of the site's servers in July and were able to upload malicious software, and a Government Accountability Office report released last month concluded the site is still not completely secure.