Covered California prepares for deadline deluge

The impending deadline has led to a surge in the number of people looking into their coverage options. But a recent L.A. Times report found that almost half of the people calling the exchange for information are hanging up before they get anyone on the line because they’re tired of waiting.

Covered California Executive Director Peter Lee says the agency has added more staffers, but he acknowledges that wait times are unlikely to get shorter before the March 31st deadline.

Instead of wasting time on hold, Lee told KCRW that insurance shoppers should go to the agency’s web site for their questions, or phone one of the thousands of certified agents, clinic workers and community representatives who are available to help. Lee says the deadline won’t be extended, but he vowed to accommodate every one who gets their application in on time.