U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius said tips on other holiday shopping can be useful for consumers shopping for health insurance.
Sebelius, in a blog post on the Huffington Post website, advised people planning to visit the Affordable Care Act Marketplace website, HealthCare.gov, to avoid lines by shopping during off-peak hours -- mornings, nights and weekends-- and to have income and tax information ready when logging on.
She also advised people comparison shop to get the best deal and use the call center (1-800-318-2596) if they need more information. Representatives are available around the clock and the center can offer help in 150 languages.
If you want a "personal shopper" find a person to help in your area at localhelp.healthcare.gov, she said.
The secretary said there is no immediate rush -- there are 23 shopping days in December for insurance coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2014, and unlike Black Friday, the product won't run out.
In any case, individuals have until March 31 to obtain coverage under the ACA.
"We are excited for shoppers to visit HealthCare.gov, where the consumer experience is much improved from Oct. 1," Sebelius wrote. "We continue to work every day to ensure that every American who wants affordable health insurance has access to these new, quality coverage options." Topics: Kathleen Sebelius
