Date: 2025-05-01 Page is: DBtxt003.php txt00026291
PETER BURGESS ADMIN
THE HEALTH SYSTEM ... COMPLICATED CHAOS
You have created a MyCOMPASS Account,
Usted ha creado una cuenta MyCOMPASS
THE HEALTH SYSTEM ... COMPLICATED CHAOS
You have created a MyCOMPASS Account,
Usted ha creado una cuenta MyCOMPASS
Peter Burgess COMMENTARY
The following is a partial documentation of my attempt to get value from the PA Healthcare system and in particular its Compass initiative.
On February 2nd ... a Thursday ... I tried to enroll in the Compass System and spent around 3 hours filling in details on their webpage. I did get an acknowledgement that I had established an 'account' but after about 3 hours of subsequent data entry, the system closed down as my time had expired. This happened with no warning that I saw, though I was in front of my computer all this time.
I realise that filling in all the details took me a long time ... but I am 84 years old and I do not like sloppy work so I was trying to answer the questions correctly.
My general impression of much of the remote data entry that is expected by big systems is that the system designers have almnost entirely grown up with internet familiarity ... while many of the users have none of this background, especially older people.
I am lucky in that I was very much involved in system design in the early days of electronic data processing and helped navigate the transition from mainframe computers to client-server architecture and then the Internet but all the issues we had to address decades ago remain. The core purpose of these systems seems to be missing and the impact on real ordinary people is something of a disaster.
I don't know what is going to happen next ... but I am worried!
Oh! ... and by the way ... last Thursday I did call the help assistance telephone number and was assisted by a very well-meaning member of the staff. The problem could not be resolved because everything that I had worked on for about three hours had gone. How that can be a feature of the system at this time in history is beyond me ... system design stupidity on steroids!
Peter Burgess
donotreply@pa.gov
Thu, Feb 22, 2:42 PM (2 days ago)
to me
Please note: This email was sent from a mailbox that doesn't receive incoming messages - please don't reply.
Congratulations Peter Burgess,
You have created a MyCOMPASS Account. Your username is PeterB-in-Bushkill. You will be able to use this unique username to log in to your MyCOMPASS Account on your computer, tablet or phone.
With your MyCOMPASS Account you can:
- ✓ See if you qualify for benefits.
- ✓ Apply for and renew your benefits.
- ✓ Check the status of your application.
- ✓ View your case benefit information.
- ✓ Report changes to your case.
- ✓ Scan or upload documents to your application or case record.
- ✓ Receive notices electronically.
- ✓ Manage other aspects of your case online.
The app is for Pennsylvanians who have applied for or get assistance benefits. It offers many of the same features found on COMPASS, but right from your mobile phone. You can now access your benefits from anywhere, whenever you want.
The app is available for both Apple and Android devices. Download from a mobile app store today!
Help/Assistance:
If you need any assistance with your account or are having any issues, please contact the HelpLine at 1-800-692-7462.
Aviso: Este correo electrónico se envió desde una cuenta que no recibe mensajes de entrada - no responda a este correo.