The Oregon Health Insurance Exchange may depend on insurance agents to help small businesses and individuals purchase coverage, which supporters hope will make it easier to reach residents throughout the state thoroughly and at low cost.
Agents will be able to educate business representatives and consumers about the exchange as it prepares to begin operating in 2014, The Lund Report states. It is meant to be self-sustaining based on policies sold beginning in that year, although it is temporarily supported by a federal grant. The exchange's business model calls for each participant to pay an administrative fee in order to support the entity, with at least 100,000 enrollees by the end of 2015.
Agents working for the exchange will receive payment from it and be trained with knowledge about the exchange and plans it incorporates. This will allow them to serve as contact points and sell coverage effectively, according to the news source.
Small employers may find dealing with an expert helps them sort through their alternatives and pick a health plan that will provide suitable employee benefits at a reasonable cost.
