Action Opens Doors to
State’s Insurance Agents to Help Consumers Enroll in Exchange Plans
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
Insurance agents are on track to sell Covered California products, after
California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones approved this month the insurance
business entity license for the new health benefit exchange.
“Insurance agents, with
their knowledge, experience and deep roots in communities across the state,
will play a critical role in the success of Covered California’s enrollment goals,”
said Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee. “We appreciate the commissioner’s
leadership in paving the way for agents to educate and help consumers sign up
for insurance in the state exchange.”
Insurance agents already are
required to take classes, get training in ethics and undergo fingerprinting and
background checks to become licensed in California. An agent found in violation
of state law is subject to criminal investigation, fines and prosecution.
The license approval means
more than 12,000 insurance agents who have expressed interest in working with
Covered California can begin the annual training and certification process
necessary to sell health insurance offered by Covered California.
The commissioner also
approved Covered California’s training curriculum and materials for certifying
licensed agents to sell health exchange products. After certification, licensed
insurance agents can assist consumers enrolling in Covered California’s individual
market and small-group employer markets, with coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2014.
Covered California Certified
Insurance Agents selling in the exchange’s individual market are required to be
appointed by health insurance companies. All Certified Insurance Agents will be
eligible to sell in Covered California’s Small Business Health Options Program
(SHOP).
“Our state’s health
insurance agents have been working in this field for generations, and they not
only bring their expertise to the table, but they have built trusted
relationships with their clients,” Lee said.
About Covered California
Covered California is the
state’s marketplace for the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Covered California was charged with creating a new health insurance marketplace
in which individuals and small businesses can get access to affordable health
insurance plans. With coverage starting in 2014, Covered California will help
individuals determine whether they are eligible for premium assistance that
will be available on a sliding-scale basis to reduce insurance costs or whether
they are eligible for low-cost or no-cost Medi-Cal. Consumers can then compare
health insurance plans and choose the plan that works best for their health
needs and budget.
Small businesses will be
able to purchase competitively priced health insurance plans and offer their
employees the ability to choose from an array of plans and may qualify for
federal tax credits.
Covered California is an
independent part of the state government whose job is to make the new market
work for California’s consumers. It is overseen by a five-member board appointed
by the Governor and the Legislature. For more information on Covered California,
please visit www.CoveredCA.com.
