Many Connecticut brokers are claiming they will leave the Affordable Care Act state exchange if the state's two carriers – Anthem and ConnectiCare – get rid of broker commission next year, according to the ct mirror.
Here are five thoughts:
1. Earlier this year, Anthem said it would get rid of the commission while ConnectiCare has not made a decision. An Anthem spokesperson said the payer eliminated the commission to avoid increasing premiums.
2. The decision may carry steep consequences as brokers play a part in nearly 40 percent of plans sold on the state exchange.
3. Brokers play a vital role in simplifying the enrollment process as they help patients decide on a plan based on their prescriptions and health needs.
4. The exchange has faced a series of blows this week as two of the four carriers on Access Health, an online platform where residents can get insurance, announced they are not offering plans in 2017.
5. The two remaining Access Health contenders—Anthem and ConnectiCare—proposed higher rates for consumers going forth into 2017. Anthem is proposing a 26.8 percent price hike for individual plans on Access Health.
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