Insurance Firms Hiring Agents To Help Consumers Choose Wisely

Oct. 28--With the open enrollment period beginning on Nov. 15 for the second year of health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act, the program known as ObamaCare is still so new and confusing that some insurance companies are hiring new agents to help guide consumers through the bureaucracy.

Hollywood-based Health Benefits Center said it is looking for 50 licensed insurance agents to bolster its existing team of 100 agents.

"We saw the big boom last year and this year we're going to be more prepared for it," said Steve Dorfman, the company's CEO. Open enrollment runs through Feb. 15.

The firm is offering a $1,000 signing bonus for agents with Florida 215 and 200 licenses who stay for at least 30 days, Dorfman said.

In Boca Raton, Elite Benefits Group is scheduled to participate in a job fair this week to find more licensed health-care insurance agents. The job fair is from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at 1095 Broken Sound Parkway NW in Boca Raton.

Wendi Tow, Elite Benefits vice president, said the company wants to hire about 10 new agents to help consumers understand their options.

"People are very confused right now. They're starting to get letters from their insurance companies." she said. "If they don't use an agent, they could really make a mistake -- it could cost them."

Consumers must state their projected 2015 income, for example, in obtaining insurance under the Affordable Care Act. "There are tax consequences if you mess up," she said.

While consumers can go directly to the federal government's website, healthcare.gov, to buy health insurance online, they often are confused about the type of coverage they need and which deductible to choose, the agents said.

Dorfman said buying health insurance is different than purchasing homeowner's insurance. "Consumers need that additional assistance so they're making that decision best for themselves and their families," he said.

Consumers don't have to pay a fee for the advice. Insurance agents are paid by the insurance companies.

Failing to purchase any insurance, however, could become very costly for consumers.

Cameron Girouard, compliance officer for Health Benefits Center, said the federal fine is higher this year for those who don't have health insurance.

The 2015 penalty is 2 percent of income or $325 per adult and $162.50 per child, whichever is more. Last year, the penalty was 1 percent of income, or $95. That means that an individual or family of four making $50,000 a year risks a penalty of $1,000.

Consumers who bought insurance last year and qualified for a subsidy should make sure their income level hasn't disqualified them for the discount, she said.

"If they don't explore their options, they'll be automatically re-enrolled," she said. The monthly premium on that plan may have increased.

Still, Dorman said nearly 40 percent of uninsured consumers will qualify for federal subsidies.

When it comes to choosing a deductible level, consumers who expect to have a lot of health-care costs might opt for a plan with a low deductible, but higher premium. For a healthy, young consumer, a higher deductible may save money.

Generally, older customers will pay higher rates, Girouard said. While pre-existing health conditions don't affect the rate under the law, smokers will pay a higher premium, she said.

Steve Kirstein, an insurance agent in Boca Raton, said he has added some new staff, but plans to field the health insurance calls himself.

"We're getting tons and tons of calls. People are waiting to find out what they need to do," he said. Until the rates come out Nov. 1 and enrollment begins two weeks later, "they're kind of in limbo," he said.

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