Insurers push for workaround that would allow them to directly enroll people

The New York Times reports on this push, which is one of several ways some are discussing to get around the current technology problems plaguing the Obama administration's enrollment effort. Also in the news, The Wall Street Journal reports that some of these difficulties are trickling down from the federal online insurance marketplace to certain state exchanges.

The New York Times: Insurers Press For Way Around Healthcare.gov
Some major health insurers are so worried about the Obama administration's ability to fix its troubled health care website that they are pushing the government to create a shortcut that would allow them to enroll people entitled to subsidies directly rather than through the federal system. The idea is only one of several being discussed in a frantic effort to find a way around the technological problems that teams of experts are urgently trying to resolve (Abelson, LaFraniere and Craig, 11/11).

The Wall Street Journal: Tech Troubles Slow Some State Exchanges
As officials struggle to fix technical problems with the new federally run health-insurance exchange, some states that are operating their own programs are facing similar problems. Oregon hasn't fully opened its website to the public and is directing residents to insurance brokers and counselors. Maryland officials Friday delayed until April the opening of its small-business exchange, so they could focus on improving a website that has prompted many residents to apply on paper (Ante and Dooren, 11/11).