A recent NAIFA survey demonstrates the crucial role agents play helping health care consumers navigate the claims process. Now, in a letter to the NAIC, HHS, and the White House, the NAIC’s consumer representatives group has interpreted the results (along with some figures they came up with using data not found in the NAIFA survey) as evidence that “something is seriously wrong with the health insurance system.” Furthermore, they look to the government to fix the problems.
Perhaps the group's view is too simplistic. While in theory it would be nice if everything were simple, the reality is that some things are necessarily complex. Heart surgery is a complicated procedure. That doesn't make it wrong. Having a health care system that pays for numerous intricate procedures in various patient-selected settings is not always simple. Having access to professional, highly trained agents who can assist consumers with complicated matters remains vital.
The consumer representatives’ letter further states, “The Affordable Care Act provides the basic tools for a better system.” One thing is most certain: the system remains complicated. Look at the Act itself. It runs some 974 pages of legislativese. A recent CRS report states that the government has no idea how many new agencies and bureaus are going to be required to implement the new law or who will run them or how much they’ll cost. They could “spawn” even more bureaucracies just to assist the new organizations.
Does this sound like a simple system we should expect consumers to navigate without the guidance of a professional agent?
- Posted by Diane Boyle, NAIFA
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