In a statement made to the Pennsylvania Department of Insurance last week, Roger Howell, President of Howell Benefits Services, addressed concerns and possible solutions regarding health insurance exchanges, their implementation in the state and their effect on the small consumer marketplace.
Howell warned that while the exchanges may create a more competitive consumer driven market for sole proprietors and small business owners to choose from, current legislation has not properly tackled concerns about transparency when it comes to health insurance information.
"The Obama Administration and Congress have paid too little attention to one of the major problems impacting individual and small group markets, namely the sheer difficulty of evaluating and choosing the right plans to fit the needs of a diverse population of consumers," Howell warned.
He went on to say that this issue is not at the forefront as many states scramble to design health insurance exchanges that are both secure and equitable.
Based upon his 30 plus years experience as a licensed insurance producer and extensive web based technology involvement , Howell recommended that the exchanges incorporate ease of use with a full service support system to aid consumers in making decisions and sorting through complex information. Howell also recommended that he exchange be overseen by the Pennsylvania Insurance Department in cooperation with a non-profit entity that could negotiate on behalf of the consumer in order to create an equitable purchasing environment for all consumers and aid benefits consultants in choosing the most appropriate health and welfare benefits.
To read Howell's complete testimony, click here. To see the video, click here.
