HHS Small Business Finder is missing a huge puzzle piece – how to enroll. The small business health insurance finder may assist small businesses and their employees in locating information about available plans however, it does nothing to help employers select a plan or enroll their employees. NAIFA, along with several Members of Congress, have encouraged HHS to provide information on the value and personalized service offered by licensed insurance professionals.
NAIFA commented on the HHS web portal when it was launched last year, saying that in the wake of our country's massive healthcare overhaul, the role of the agent is more important than ever. An agent, for instance, can help a small business comply with complicated state and federal obligations, including COBRA, ARRA, CHIP, ongoing CMS reporting, HIPAA, and Mental Health Parity requirements.
In addition, a survey of more than 800 NAIFA members say they receive an average of 223 requests each year from clients who are having difficulty resolving health insurance claims. For each claim, an overwhelming majority of requests require the agent to place at least two calls to the insurance company (70 percent) and two calls to the client (82 percent).
In the midst of this massive healthcare overhaul, many are asking how agents will fare in the reformed system. The real question is how consumers will fare after they are enrolled in a plan. Who will help them navigate this complex system of healthcare?
It's time for HHS to complete the health insurance puzzle. The HHS Small Business Finder should assist new consumers (both individuals and small businesses) in understanding how to obtain assistance from and identify reputable sources
