National Apr 7, 2014

Bills aim to increase consumer access to PPACA resources

Recently, two bills aimed at increasing Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act consumer access to agents and brokers were introduced in the Senate: S.2173 and S.2175, both introduced by Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., would amend the PPACA to allow for more direct access to agents and brokers.

S.2173, the Consumers Having Options in Choosing Enrollment Act, would allow consumers to enroll in health insurance coverage directly through the website of an agent or broker, instead of being rerouted to a state or federal exchange website as is currently the practice.

S.2175, the Enhancing Access for Agents and Brokers Act, would establish a toll-free customer-service support help line, through which producers can seek assistance regarding qualified health plans offered in the federal exchange.

Additionally, S.2175 would require the Department of Health and Human Services to make available online a list of all agents and brokers who have been trained and currently are certified by the federal exchange, including their name and National Producer number, along with their business address, email address, website and phone number, if available.

Both bills were referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions for consideration.