Richmond Times-Dispatch
Insurance broker Debbie Stocks spends much of her work day helping clients select health plans.
"People often shop online for health insurance. They don't necessarily buy insurance online, though," said Stocks, who is with Your Benefits Partner in Henrico County and also is president of the Central Virginia Association of Health Underwriters.
"Most find it very confusing when trying to compare the plans they see online," Stocks said.
Health-care reform will change the insurance landscape for consumers, but it also will change it for insurance brokers and agents who earn a living helping people choose plans.
The law requires states to set up health insurance exchanges that consumers can go to and shop for a health plan. It also requires that exchanges provide "navigators" that do outreach and help people understand options.
The role of these navigators and how brokers and agents will be paid have created uncertainty for agents.
"I would envision that exchanges should work the same way, in that people may shop or browse the available plans on the exchange but would still need an agent's help to find the right plan for themselves or their families," Stocks said.
California insurance brokers are taking their case to policymakers.
Last week, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, a group advising federal officials on how exchanges should operate, adopted a resolution to "protect the ability of licensed insurance professionals to continue to service the public."
The National Association of Health Underwriters, which represents more than 100,000 insurance agents and brokers, praised the NAIC's action.
"Insurance is a complicated purchase, and you cannot boil it down to a simple one-page comparison," said Alan L. Jones of TPA Benefits in Henrico County.
Health plans in the state-run exchanges will offer plans that cover essential benefits at various levels of cost-sharing. Plans would be classified as bronze, silver, gold, platinum and catastrophic.
Jones said there is always the risk that people will choose a plan based on price of New York health insurance quotes and end up underprotected.
"People are attracted to the price but do not understand or forget the limitations of the policy," Jones said. "Then, when they need it and it does not cover what they thought it would cover, it is too late."
Stocks said about half her time is spent helping clients resolve plan issues.
"People often shop online for health insurance. They don't necessarily buy insurance online, though," said Stocks, who is with Your Benefits Partner in Henrico County and also is president of the Central Virginia Association of Health Underwriters.
"Most find it very confusing when trying to compare the plans they see online," Stocks said.
Health-care reform will change the insurance landscape for consumers, but it also will change it for insurance brokers and agents who earn a living helping people choose plans.
The law requires states to set up health insurance exchanges that consumers can go to and shop for a health plan. It also requires that exchanges provide "navigators" that do outreach and help people understand options.
The role of these navigators and how brokers and agents will be paid have created uncertainty for agents.
"I would envision that exchanges should work the same way, in that people may shop or browse the available plans on the exchange but would still need an agent's help to find the right plan for themselves or their families," Stocks said.
California insurance brokers are taking their case to policymakers.
Last week, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, a group advising federal officials on how exchanges should operate, adopted a resolution to "protect the ability of licensed insurance professionals to continue to service the public."
The National Association of Health Underwriters, which represents more than 100,000 insurance agents and brokers, praised the NAIC's action.
"Insurance is a complicated purchase, and you cannot boil it down to a simple one-page comparison," said Alan L. Jones of TPA Benefits in Henrico County.
Health plans in the state-run exchanges will offer plans that cover essential benefits at various levels of cost-sharing. Plans would be classified as bronze, silver, gold, platinum and catastrophic.
Jones said there is always the risk that people will choose a plan based on price of New York health insurance quotes and end up underprotected.
"People are attracted to the price but do not understand or forget the limitations of the policy," Jones said. "Then, when they need it and it does not cover what they thought it would cover, it is too late."
Stocks said about half her time is spent helping clients resolve plan issues.
