Health insurance exchanges

The share of people without health insurance in the U.S. fell to 10.4 percent last year as the Affordable Care Act’s expansion of public and private coverage programs took effect.

Despite eligibility for cost-sharing reductions, more than 2 million public exchange enrollees did not select eligible plans.

Broker group hopeful hotline is “first step” in making enrollment through federally-facilitated marketplace an even playing field for agents and brokers

About 9.9 million people got health insurance coverage through the marketplaces set up by the ACA as of June 30, a decline from earlier in the year though still higher than the White House administration’s target.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services awards $7 million more than last year to grantees in 34 states.

Covered California recently announced $10 million in new grants for the upcoming exchange open-enrollment season awarded to 68 “navigator” groups, including about 12,000 certified insurance agents who played a pivotal part in enrolling 43% of state residents for 2015.

Pilot program for Maryland Health Connection will have call centers directly transfer consumers to a broker to finish enrollment.

Brokers say they increasingly view the ACA as an avenue toward new revenue opportunities and roles around education and communication.

Those calling for repeal of the Affordable Care Act are split on what to do should the law be repealed.

Public health insurance exchange decision support tools improved somewhat in year two open enrollment compared to year one, but still have a way to go, research shows.