Preparing For 2015 Open Enrollment

[Yagents]

That's why I posted it, it conflicts with what we thought. Reporters probably don't understand that we are fixated on every word they write.
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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is ending the 2015 agent registration period for the public health insurance exchanges it runs Sept. 30.

To sell qualified health plan (QHP) coverage through a exchange HHS runs in 2015, agents must go through the registration process or get re-registered by that date.

Exchange producers also must re-register if they want to help consumers sign up for coverage through special enrollment periods (SEPs) from Oct. 1 through Dec. 31.

 

[Tkruger]

Straight from CMS:

Thank you for your inquiry. Agent and broker registration for the Federally-facilitated Marketplaces (FFM) for the 2015 plan year opened on July 7, 2014. FFM agent and broker Agreements for the 2014 plan year expire on September 30, 2014. All agents and brokers who wish to renew their registration with the FFM should complete the annual registration requirements by this date to avoid a potential lapse in their FFM registration status.

The following Marketplace-specific requirements must be met before assisting qualified individuals, employers, and employees with eligibility and enrollment determinations.

In states where an FFM is operating, all agents and brokers must register with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) before assisting qualified individuals for Individual Marketplace coverage.

For most agents and brokers, there are two parts to the FFM registration process.

• Part I: Register on the Medicare Learning Network® (MLN), complete assigned training and exams, and execute the FFM Agreements. (Available athttps://Marketplace.MedicareLearningNetworkLMS.com.)
• Part II: Create an FFM user Account and complete identity proofing through the CMS Enterprise Portal. (Available at https://portal.cms.gov/.)
Agents and brokers who want to operate exclusively within the Federally-facilitated Small Business Health Options Program (FF-SHOP) Marketplaces are strongly encouraged to complete Marketplace-specific training courses and pass the accompanying exams; they are required to electronically execute the Federally-facilitated SHOP Marketplace Agreement, which is part of Part I above, before assisting qualified employers and employees with eligibility and enrollment though the FF-SHOP. They are also required to complete Part II (identity proofing).

For more information about registration requirements, please visit http://www.cms.gov/CCIIO/Programs-a...and-Registration-Overview_052914_Opt1_v11.pdf.

Thank you for contacting the FFM Producer and Assister Help Desk. If you need additional assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us again via e-mail at [email protected].

Thank you,
FFM Producer and Assister Help Desk Staff

So with that said 2K15 FFM reg for new agents or agents who have let the FFM cert laps can still get certified after Sep 30th.

 

[Yagents]

# of carriers in FFM going up up up.........
more choice = more confusion = more need for agent advice (Yagents you ask?)

Number of Obamacare insurers to rise by 25% in 2015

 

[bluediamond]

We are hiring licensed health and life agents to work open enrollment November 15th - February 15th. Work from home or in one of our enrollment centers. We will train you and guide you on how to get clients and service clients year round. If you are interested in being a managing agent and opening your own enrollment center we can help you with that as well.

message or call 9544467667 to speak to an agent about commission structure and training by October 30th

I do believe this is in the wrong section. Should be in offer's.

What company's btw.

Never mind I know.

 

[AllenChicago]

Sept 25, 2014

This one defies traditional logic.. The LARGEST and LEAST EXPENSIVE health insurer in Minnesota (according to the article), named "Preferred One" is leaving that state's exchange/marketplace due to lack of enrollment in its plans.

Ref: Health Insurers Flock and Flee Obamacare - US News

Our state's largest, least expensive insurer (bcbs) obtained 92% of all purchasers in 2014. Something (??) must be more important than premium & PPO network to Minnesota residents.
ac

 

[AllenChicago]

September 28, 2014 Just a fyi...

This online document doesn't list insurers on each exchange, but it does show the net change in the number of insurers on each exchange from 2014 to 2015.

Link: http://www.aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/2014/NewEntrants/ib_NewEntrants.pdf
ac

 

[sunkarma11]

"Some of the nation’s largest insurers will be offering coverage for the first time in more than a dozen states, suggesting that the FFM and SBMs represent an increasingly attractive business opportunity"

What a massive load!



It's not an 'attractive business proposition' it's forced - Carriers have to go this route if they are to get enough business to survive. If subsidy were available directly, NO Carrier would touch the federal exchange - much less agents with the slightest degree of intelligence and/or experience.

 

[AllenChicago]

"Some of the nation’s largest insurers will be offering coverage for the first time in more than a dozen states, suggesting that the FFM and SBMs represent an increasingly attractive business opportunity"

What a massive load!



It's not an 'attractive business proposition' it's forced - Carriers have to go this route if they are to get enough business to survive. If subsidy were available directly, NO Carrier would touch the federal exchange - much less agents with the slightest degree of intelligence and/or experience.

SunKarma11,
Welcome to the forum and congrats on your first post here. It's obvious that you're well-read on the nuances of ACA HealthScare Reform.
-Allen

 

[sunkarma11]

Hello and thank you Allen

I've actually been keeping up on the forum and all the guru's for some time now... just too busy in my current role to post anything - however, the statements made in the document you posted struck just the right nerve and I just couldn't resist.

 

[Yagents]

What are the odds in Vegas that HC.gov will run smoothly? Given that we only have 30 days this year for a Jan 1st effective date (due to political reasons), this is setting up to be a disaster again with millions needing to visit over 30 days vs 6 months last year.

New Healthcare.gov Contractor Still Not Ready For 2015 Open Enrollment | The Weekly Standard