Agents talk health exchange affordability
The Idaho-run health exchange Your Health Idaho said thousands of Idahoans have visited their website since open enrollment began Saturday. With more than 52 additional plan options, insurance agents and brokers said plans should be more affordable.
“Tax credits are based on the most affordable plans and adding more plans to the market just creates more competition,” said health insurance agent David Parker.
Parker said his agency, Parker Insurance, helped get more than 1,200 people insured under the Affordable Health Care Act. He said many of his clients had concerns and misconceptions about coverage. Many were worried that they wouldn’t be able to use it effectively with a doctor of their choosing.
“The good thing about this is the doctor of your choosing is usually available,” he said.
Parker said one of his best success stories came from a client whose husband had a pre-existing condition.
“For the first time in 10 years, she was able to purchase insurance. Not only was she able to purchase insurance, but have a policy that she could afford the out-of-pocket costs,” said Parker. “It ended up being a big deal as they came down with some things that they didn’t know they had and it ended up being affordable for them to receive the care that was necessary.”
Insurance agents said plan pricing is hard to compare, as many factors contribute to a person’s rates. Agents have to factor in household size, income and other financial factors before determining what plan is best for each person.
Last year, approximately 76,000 Idahoans signed up for private health insurance through the state-based exchange. Open enrollment for 2015 started Nov. 15 and goes until Feb. 15, but people who want their coverage to start by Jan. 1 need to enroll by Dec. 15.
