Oklahomans Frustrated With 'Obamacare' Rollout

People across Oklahoma in need of health coverage are frustrated and confused by the rollout the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act insurance marketplace.

Enrollment, under what's commonly called "Obamacare," has already been open for three weeks. Most people News 9 talked with on Monday had not even started the application process. Nearly all of those who had started the process are still battling what some call a glitch and what others are calling a complete failure.

Shelly Tatum, 20, is a busy mom who is no stranger to jumping through hoops and over red tape.

"I've dealt with the government for years," Tatum said.

Now, Tatum is attempting to tackle the website, www.healthcare.gov.

"I spent two hours trying to get insurance online, and I ended up having to call them to get it turned back on," said Tatum.

In central Oklahoma, clinics throughout the metro are working to help patients enroll. Community Health Centers, Inc. plays a big role. Outreach Coordinator Nicole Alexander says things could have been done better on the state level in certifying officials to help people enroll.

"Oklahoma, itself … got stared a little late I think," said Alexander. "We started [certifying people] in September. Right now, we're just kind of playing catch up."

Community Health Centers is staying busy assisting insurance candidates with just more than 160 days left to enroll.

Christina Walters is one of the many who still hasn't even started.

"My medication keeps going up and up … I can't afford it," Walters said.

Currently, estimated prices in Oklahoma can range from just more than $100 a month to more than $700 a month, depending on a patient's plan and age. Tatum hopes her out-of-pocket expenses will soon go down, but she is frustrated and not sure what to believe.

"It's taking nothing but time," Tatum said.

Coverage starts January 1, 2014. The last day to enroll is March 31, 2014. To enroll, go to www.healthcare.gov, call 800-318-2596 or visit a support organization.

Enrollment support can be found at Community Health Services Centers, Inc. There are eight metro locations:

12716 N.E. 36th St.

Spencer, OK 73084

411 N.W. 11th St.

Oklahoma City, OK 73013

3017 N. Martin Luther King Blvd.

Oklahoma City, OK 73111

300 Martin Luther King St.

Langston, OK 73050

1901 Springlake Dr.

Oklahoma City, OK 73111

105 E. Santa Fe

Carney, OK 74843

4400 N. Lincoln Blvd.

Oklahoma City, OK 73105

1414 N. Kennedy Ave.

Shawnee, OK 74801