Federal health officials have modified the homepage at HealthCare.gov to emphasize alternate ways of applying for health coverage under ObamaCare.
The system’s main page now features a quartet of icons signifying ways to enroll in the marketplace — online, by phone, by paper application or with the help of a “navigator.”
The icons replaced a large portrait of a woman whose picture had come to symbolize the botched website.
With the changes, the homepage now links to a “Find Local Help” directory where users can input their location and receive a list of local sources of guidance on ObamaCare coverage.
The additions come as federal health officials seek to repair the site before it creates a drag on enrollment under the healthcare law.
HealthCare.gov visitors received a message late Sunday when trying to log on that read the “system is down at the moment.”
“We are experiencing technical difficulties and hope to have them resolved soon,” the message continued. “Please try again later.”
“In a hurry? You might be able to apply faster at our Marketplace call center.”
The Department of Health and Human Services said the application and enrollment system was down due to an outage at the company that hosts the site.
–This report was updated at 6:33 p.m.