A learning opportunity: Insurance Roadshow coming to Columbus with experts and answers about insurance [Columbus Telegram, Neb.]

Sep. 21—Health insurance is a wide and complicated topic. Even for those in the industry, it can be difficult to keep ahead of all the changes and rules made every year.

For that reason, Nebraska Department of Insurance Director Eric Dunning said, his department has an annual Insurance Roadshow.

"This started about 12 years ago after the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), when Nebraskans had questions and we thought it was important for their government to come out, look them in the eye and tell them what we knew and didn't know and help them navigate a changing landscape," Dunning said.

As the landscape has changed and regulations have become more clear, Dunning said, people have begun to understand it a little better, so they have tried to broaden the scope and range of their topics at the roadshows. The roadshow will take place from 1-2 p.m., Sept. 26 at the Columbus Public Library. Several speakers will present information related to the health insurance industry, slightly ahead of the ACA Medicare open enrollment period starts in November, Dunning said. Whoever wants to know about insurance is welcome to attend, he said, and the typical audience varies on each visit.

"Sometimes, there's more hospital workers who need to understand the coverage their patients are likely to have, the rates they're likely to be charged. Sometimes it's a broader group of insurance agents wanting to hear about the latest developments in insurance regulations, sometimes it's made up of members of the public who want to hear about both," Dunning said.

As director of the NDOI, Dunning said, it's personally important to him for these questions to have accessible answers, which is why it travels. While the department does have offices in Lincoln, Omaha, Grand Island and Hastings, he said, a portable format that goes to the public is highly effective.

"Everyone learns different ways. Some people learn best by coming out and having those conversations and having the opportunity to ask questions. Some learn better by going on the internet and doing their own research," Dunning said. "Some have other ways, but making sure people have the opportunity to learn the way that is best for them is important to me as the director of insurance."

The team that speaks, Dunning said, is fairly diverse in their areas of expertise and, while he unfortunately won't be able to make the Columbus visit himself, he is sending a new member of the group who will be able to talk about Medicare concerns, which can be complicated to understand without help. Having someone to ask in person and get answers from, Dunning said, is a big help.

"We have a new addition to the team this year, Jonathan Burlison. He's part of the department called the State Health Information Program. Jon really focuses on helping people who have Medicare navigate the landscape between medical supply coverage, Medicare advantage," Dunning said.

Being able to host the event at the Columbus Public Library, Access Services Technician Kelli De Roos said, is exciting for library staff. Following the author fair earlier this month, they have been enjoying the extra space for activities like this.

"It gives us a lot more flexibility with what we're able to do, what we're able to offer and the times and types of events we're able to host," De Roos said. "Larger events can come in at less of a cost. We don't have to go out and rent a space. There's more options and we can hopefully serve a larger variety."

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