Proposal Would Let Agents Sell To Health Exchange Customers

NU Online News Service, Sept. 30, 10:08 a.m. EDT

WASHINGTON–A new section of a health care reform legislation proposal would let agents sell insurance to individuals and businesses purchasing health insurance through the health exchanges being proposed.

The measure is being drafted in the Senate Finance Committee under terms of language included in the revised committee bill.

The altered draft, being amended for the second week through the committee, contains an amendment offered by Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del.

Specifically, the language says that "exchanges have access to the same industry professionals as those working outside the exchange."

Tom Currey, president of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisers, Falls Church, Va., noted that the provision in the Senate Finance bill is consistent with amendments to health care reform legislation adopted by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee and by the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Officials of the Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers, the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America, and the National Association of Health Underwriters also confirmed that the provision is now part of the bill, "America's Health Future Act."

Joel Kopperud, a director in the legislative affairs unit of the CIAB, said, "The Carper amendment guarantees that individuals and businesses purchasing insurance through the proposed exchanges have access to the same industry professionals as those working outside the exchange."

He added, "We are very grateful to Senator Carper for recognizing and preserving the value of agent's expertise."

NAIFA's Mr. Currey cautioned that "numerous amendments to the bill are still pending."

"However, NAIFA is pleased that the Carper amendment recognizes the valuable role that agents play in helping consumers with their insurance choices," he added.

Sen. Carper added, "Agents do so much more than sell a policy. The continual refinement of the proposals to ensure that consumers have access to professional guidance both inside and outside of exchanges is encouraging."