13,000 customers billed incorrect amounts through state health exchange

SEATTLE — A total of 13,000 customers who purchased a Washington Healthplanfinder Qualified Health Plan had incorrect amounts withdrawn from their bank accounts this month.

Some customers said they were billed triple the normal amount that is set to automatically withdraw each month. On the health exchange's Facebook page, customers complained of being charged hundreds of dollars in excess of what was supposed to be withdrawn.

“I have been overcharged. Over $800 extra is being taken out of my bank ,” Denise Crawford wrote.

“I got triple billed as well," Azhar Basit wrote . "I also called and waited on (the) phone and no one picked up after a long wait. This is terrible.”

“Would really like to know WHY I was charged TRIPLE this month and when you are fixing the problem ," Gabrielle Whitman wrote. "This is NOT acceptable. No help online or by calling.”

The CEO of the Washington Health Benefit Exchange, Richard Onizuka, gave KIRO 7 this statement:

"Yesterday evening, the exchange was made aware that a portion of Washington Healthplanfinder Qualified Health Plan customers had an incorrect amount withdrawn from their bank accounts during our standard monthly payment process. The issue affected 13,000 customer accounts that had previously set up automatic payments through their online account.

"We are working closely with our system integrator, Deloitte, to reverse the incorrect withdrawals as quickly as possible, but no later than the next 48 hours. We have notified affected customers of this issue and will provide final confirmation when the payment issue has been resolved. "We apologize to our impacted customers and are working to correct the problem to minimize any further inconvenience they may have already experienced."

Want to talk about the news of the day? Watch free streaming video on the KIRO 7 mobile app and iPad app, and join us here on Facebook.

KIRO