Phone call can help get around health law glitches

The best strategy for Illinois residents who want to sign up for insurance under President Barack Obama’s health care law may involve the telephone.

State officials suggest scheduling an appointment with an enrollment counselor by phone. And, on Monday, Obama gave a federal call center number when he made his nationally televised remarks about the health law’s website problems.

Illinois consumers can find help in their neighborhood by entering their ZIP code at GetCoveredIllinois.gov. That will take them to a page with enrollment organizations and local phone numbers.

The Get Covered Illinois Help Desk at 866-311-1119 answers calls seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

There’s now a Spanish language version of the Get Covered Illinois website. Go to GetCoveredIllinois.gov and click on “Languages.”