HealthCare.gov went down briefly early Monday morning. Not great timing, considering Monday is the last day of open enrollment for 2014.
The site was down for nearly five hours – from 3:20 a.m. to 8 a.m. Health and Human Services officials said the problem was a software bug discovered overnight. (Via Healthcare.gov)
The site typically shuts down between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. for fixes and updates. A Medicare and Medicaid spokesperson reportedly wrote in an email Monday –
“The tech team extended regular maintenance window this morning and is bringing the system online gradually to best meet consumer demand.” (Via The Washington Post)
And demand is high, according to CNBC. “Millions of people have logged onto the site in the last few days, and the federal government said as of last week, 6 million people had applied for insurance.”
That number is good news for the Obama Administration –
– which has been fighting for positive press since the site’s troubled start last year.
But Politico points out, “[Monday’s] glitch will inevitably remind everyone — including the law’s GOP critics — of Obamacare’s disastrous start last October when the HealthCare.gov didn’t work at all.”
That said, the administration has already announced an extension for those who were locked out this morning. As long as you get in line Monday, you’ll be able to apply. (Via Healthcare.gov)
The site is currently live and applications can also be submitted via phone. Paper applications will be accepted until April 7.
