Benefit brokers hopeful of good HHS relationship post-Sebelius

With the departure of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, brokers and agents say they are looking  for improved relations with HHS when it comes to issues important to the benefits community.

It’s no secret that the adviser industry has been frustrated with their treatment by the HHS and its subsidiary organization the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. As open enrollment drew to a close last month, the president noticeably left brokers and agents off a thank you call intended for those enrolling consumers on the Affordable Care Act’s public exchanges. Michael Lujuan, a former insurance agent and Covered California official says “agents have to beg HHS for the same information freely provided to navigators.”