Obamacare expert admits having issues with heathcare.gov

ATLANTA — Lawmakers on Capitol Hill tried to get answers Thursday about the problem plagued federal website Healthcare.gov.

Channel 2's Lori Geary found it's causing a lot of frustrations for Georgians trying to sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act.

Geary found an expert on the new law who says even he's having trouble helping to sign up his son on the website.

"It certainly is a train wreck in terms of getting folks enrolled," said Dr. William Custer, professor of health administration at Georgia State University.

Custer may be one of the few Georgians who has read the new law page by page, and said he is even having trouble helping his 29-year-old son enroll under the new law.

"The road block is right after you've signed up and become registered on the site. The next step is not available yet or it's only available if you get lucky," Custer said.

Georgia now has more than 40 certified navigators who are trying to help uninsured Georgians through the process at Healthcare.gov. Many of them are experiencing the same problems.

Georgia's Republican leaders said they wanted nothing to do with so-called Obamacare, so left it up to the feds to set up Georgia's exchange.

Amanda Ptashkin, who just received her navigator's license, said she's already seeing improvements to the site.

"People have waited a very long time to be able to access insurance. They just have to wait a little bit longer until the kinks get worked out," Ptashkin said.

"You expected problems, but the real problem for consumers here is that you can't shop," Custer said.

Custer told Geary you can't compare plans and the exact cost to consumers.

Custer said you can figure out the differences if you know how to do the research.

"It is possible to sign up for coverage, subsidy coverage right now. It just takes a lot more legwork. The promise of the website was that it was one stop shopping," Custer said.

Custer says because of his expertise, he was able to figure out what would be a good plan for his son.

Custer says they plan to apply the old-fashioned way for the plan -- by mail.

WSBTV