Our health insurance brokerage keeps up to date on all state licenses and certifications including to sell medicare affiliated products. However, certification is needed for all agents and brokers to sell through the new Covered California health exchange.Expect us to become formally certified once the CA health exchange allows us to apply and go through the appropriate training.
The certification process should start in August of 2013 which will require an active california health insurance license in good standing, agent training completed which will include a formal exam to be passed and an agent agreement signed by the agent or broker. We have been advised that the required hours will range from about 8-12 hours of required knowledge about the history and creation of The Affordable Health Care Act to the metallic plans offered and subsidy reimbursements through the exchange. There will be both in-person and computerized training.
Agents will need to maintain all existing carrier appointments so we will still be directly contracted with Aetna, Cigna, Health Net, Anthem, Blue Shield of Ca, United Healthcare, Kaiser Permanente and others. It will also be necessary to adhere to the brand rules of Coverd California and follow a code of conduct. Carriers who are accepted to participate annually on the exchange will be known by May 15, 2013 but will be selected on a number of factors such as price and network of providers.
Certified agents should be fair and impartial in advising consumers which include Medi-Cal and other public programs available to the public. Coverage can be obtained via a web channel, telephone or paper application. Certified agents will be compensated by the insurance company directly based on market competitive rates outside the exchange but will be paid directly by Covered California through the small group health options program (SHOP).
Expect a certified agent to be able to advise on every aspect of Covered California plans including acturial values for all the metallic plans to subsidy reimbursements or penalties assessed for not participating in the individual mandate. Our health insurance agency will be able to answer almost any question posed by the public so feel free to contact us anytime for answers to your health insurance questions.
As always no additional fees will be charged. Our services are paid through the product you purchase which is done through the private carrier or the CA health exchange. We do not engage in rebates since all consumers and clients are treated fairly with no exceptions.
