Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) is urging the Obama administration to make it easier for brokers and insurance agents to enroll consumers in healthcare from HealthCare.gov.
In a letterto HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Sen. Shaheen said it is unfortunate that insurance agents and brokers are experiencing barriers that prohibit them from successfully helping consumers enroll. Sen. Shaheen identified three issues facing agents and brokers:
1) Contact information for local agent and broker resources should be easily accessible on the web site.
2) Both consumers and issuers need a user-friendly way to edit application records and designate that the consumer is working with a broker during the enrollment process.
3) The Administration should establish a clear path for brokers to submit applications beyond the website, such as through a dedicated call-center line or a mailing location for paper applications.
“Health insurance brokers and agents are assisting consumers and working toward our shared goal of enrolling people in health insurance. We must ensure they are able to effectively bring new people to the health insurance marketplace, which will help the Affordable Care Act work as intended,” wrote Sen. Shaheen.
