IIAT: Independent Agents Guide Consumers Through Affordable Care Act

In a Nov. 14 address on the troublesome roll out of healthcare.gov and the public outcry over the cancellation of less expensive individual insurance policies, President Obama said, “Buying health insurance is never going to be like buying a song on iTunes. It’s just a much more complicated decision.”

Independent Insurance Agents of Texas (IIAT) and its Trusted Choice agent members agree wholeheartedly with the President’s assessment.

IIAT President Don Whitaker from San Antonio said trained agents are the best source of information.

“Using the experience of licensed health insurance agents is the best way for consumers to find their way through the maze of coverage options in the marketplace, whether you have individual coverage or are insured in a group plan,” he said.

With increasing public confusion over health insurance options, independent insurance agents are busier than ever developing mid-term quotes, assisting customers with purchase decisions into next year and completing training to assist consumers in accessing the exchanges.

“Our members report a huge increase in workload as they sort through the confusing changes associated with ACA and attempt to help their customers with holding down costs while securing needed health care insurance,” Whitaker said.

Independent agent Craig Smith of Ark Insurance in Tyler confirmed the additional effort to maintain reasonably priced coverage.

“We are considering every option for our customers before January 1, including providing them with mid-term quotes that may hold down their rate increases. It’s like re-underwriting your entire book of business,” Smith said.

Smith’s customers notice the effort. Dana Wallace, office manager with MKS Services LLC in Tyler, said she relies on him to do the right thing.

“Craig Smith and his team have always gone out of their way to make sure that our company was well taken care of on our insurance needs. They are very well informed and have set my mind at ease about upcoming changes in the insurance world,” she said.

The cancellation and non-renewal of thousands of policies that do not meet the coverage standards of ACA on January 1 has caused policyholders to seek coverage in the open market or from the federal marketplace online which still struggles to meet the needs of consumers.

The President subsequently requested that cancelled policies be reinstated, but the Texas Department of Insurance has made it clear that the decision to reinstate is up to each company.

The difficulties with the health care roll out will be compounded next year when the new law impacts employer provided insurance programs.

Source: IIAT

Topics Agencies