6k Ohioans may lose marketplace coverage if data errors not fixed

About 6,000 people who signed up for health insurance in Ohio through the federally run marketplace are being notified this week that they must clarify data inconsistencies related to their citizenship or immigration status or face losing coverage (Source: “Data issues jeopardize Obamacare coverage for 6,000 Ohioans,” Columbus Dispatch, Aug. 14, 2014).

At issue are data-matching problems with some applicants that can arise when information reported in a consumer’s application — such as a Social Security or Permanent Resident Care number — is incomplete or different from what the federal government has on file.

Consumers who haven’t responded to earlier notices sent five to seven times via mail, email and phone must do so by Sept. 5 or lose their coverage on Sept. 30.

About 155,000 Ohioans signed up for coverage through the marketplace late last year and early this year, so the inconsistencies might affect a little less than 4 percent of people who signed up for such coverage in the state. Ohio ranked 12th in the number of people to whom the government is sending notifications of inconsistencies. The states with the most inconsistencies were Florida (93,800), Texas (52,700) and Georgia (20,900).