Leaders in states running their own exchanges say they realize brokers “are a very important channel for enrollment” in insurance, and are continuing to certify them daily. On a Monday conference call organized by FamiliesUSA, four state representatives provided an update of how many brokers are registered and certified to sell in their exchanges:
- California: 5,000
- Connecticut: 700
- New York: 3,125
- Oregon: 2,000
However, those numbers are expected to continue to rise. Covered California’s Executive Director Peter Lee said he expects it will be close to 20,000 by the end of month — saying brokers are “vital to every exchange’s success.”
In Connecticut, despite 700 brokers assisting in the exchange, AccessHealthCT’s CEO Kevin Counihan said that 150-200 brokers are the most active, producing 80% of all activity. “Our focus is on those folks,” he said, noting that the exchange partnered with the Connecticut Association of Health Underwriters.
New York said that before health care reform began, almost 90% of small groups enrolled with the help of a broker, “so we have been working closely with them,” said Danielle Holahan of the New York State Health Benefit Exchange.
