Healthcare Exchanges Enrollment Process Examined
Feds, state at odds over health plan enrollment
BY WAYNE GREENE World Senior Writer
Monday, April 15, 2013
State law and proposed federal rules for who can “navigate” health-insurance deals in Oklahoma appear to be at odds, and Insurance Commissioner John Doak says the issue seems headed to conflict.
Last week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released proposed rules for so-called navigators in federally run state health-insurance exchanges, a key element in the “Obamacare” health-care system.
The exchanges, which are due to open fully on Jan. 1, will be electronic marketplaces for small businesses and consumers to compare health-insurance programs and prices, and make purchases with federal subsidies. They also connect eligible people to Medicaid coverage.
In those exchanges, the navigators will fill many of the roles normally associated with insurance agents and brokers – they help customers understand their health insurance options and come to decisions.