Health Partners America Publishes New Whitepaper “Private Exchanges: A Better Marketplace”
(PRWEB) January 07, 2014 -- Health Partners America (http://www.healthpartnersamerica.com), a company that provides training, tools, and technology solutions for insurance agents and employers who are navigating the health reform legislation, announces the release of its new white paper – Private Exchanges: A Better Marketplace. This 12-page document describes a private-market solution for consumers shopping for individual health insurance coverage.
The Healthcare.gov website, established by the Department of Health and Human Services, along with the state-based exchanges set up by a number of state governments, have gotten a lot of attention in the past few months – most of it negative.
These sites were supposed to make it easier for consumers to compare their health insurance options and apply for qualified coverage, but most of the websites have been plagued by technical glitches that have left millions of Americans uninsured.
But even if the sites worked as designed – without all the technical problems – the white paper points out that the government usually isn’t very good at developing consumer-friendly solutions: “When you need to buy a birthday card for someone, where do you go – the Hallmark store or the post office? Both offer a selection of cards, but you have a lot more to choose from at Hallmark than you do at the Postal Store. And the same is true no matter what government agency you want to pick on.”
Instead of enjoying expanded coverage and reduced costs – two of the main goals of the Affordable Care Act – individuals who shop for health insurance on the Healthcare.gov individual marketplace website “are forced to purchase a plan that is probably more comprehensive and almost certainly more expensive than they would like; they have fewer options to choose from than they have in the past; the shopping experience leaves a lot to be desired; and they’ll have to look elsewhere if they truly want to protect their family by purchasing other important insurance products.”
A private exchange website, though, can help solve all of these problems. As explained in the white paper, private exchanges offer more plan options and more product lines than the government websites, and consumers who qualify are still able to apply for a premium tax credit to help lower their monthly bill through these user-friendly sites.
Josh Hilgers, the company’s president, reiterates a point made in the report: “Because private exchanges are owned and operated by licensed insurance agents, consumers have the advantage of getting some professional advice and hearing some innovative solutions that can protect their families and save them some money in the process.” With all the rule changes this year, this expert guidance is more important than ever.
Health Partners America is offering the full report, which is applicable to insurance advisors, employers, and individual consumers, at no cost through the company’s website.
About Health Partners America
Founded in 2007, Health Partners America provides insurance brokers with the tools, training and technology to help businesses deliver quality health coverage using affordable solutions. The company offers the industry’s first broker-friendly private health insurance exchange, allowing advisors to provide custom solutions to employer groups, associations, and other organizations.
If you’d like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Josh Hilgers, please call Katie Burns at 205-443-2184 or visit http://www.healthpartnersamerica.com.
Katie Burns, Health Partners America, http://www.healthpartnersamerica.com, 205-443-2184, [email protected]
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