eHealth Partners with Aon Hewitt to Help Employees Enroll in Individual Health Insurance [Professional Services Close – Up]

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eHealth, Inc., a private online health insurance exchange for individual and family health insurance, announced it is partnering with Aon Hewitt, a talent, retirement and health solutions business of Aon, to provide enrollment services to employees of Aon Hewitt's clients who choose to enroll in individual health insurance coverage.

According to a release, through the partnership, employees of Aon Hewitt's clients who are not eligible for employer-provided benefits may access eHealth's online marketplace to find, compare and buy the health insurance plan(s) that best fit their individual or family needs. Employees will also have access to customer support through eHealth's customer care center, offering phone support 363 days a year and 24/7 online support.

Additionally, the company said, eligible employees in some states may be able to enroll in qualified health plans available through one or more state insurance exchanges if eHealth receives authorization to assist consumers in this capacity and after implementation of this capability.

eHealth's partnership complements the services offered through Aon Hewitt's Your Coverage Resources solution, which is an interactive and educational website that helps individuals learn about the various public health programs available to them and model program eligibility -- including whether they qualify for a subsidy in a state exchange.

"Achieving the Affordable Care Act's goal of 100 percent enrollment is an effort that will require outreach and education from all corners, and employers will play a critical role in getting the word out," said eHealth President and Chief Operating Officer Bill Shaughnessy. "Aon Hewitt's partnership with eHealth will help reach and enroll as many employees as possible by combining our user- friendly national marketplace and Aon Hewitt's broad base of mid and large-size employers."

"Under the Affordable Care Act, many of our clients now have large employee populations who are eligible to enroll in health insurance through the individual market, including state and federal exchanges, and they are looking for help in guiding employees through the process," said Karen Frost, Vice President of Health Solutions & Strategies for Aon Hewitt. "Aon Hewitt's Your Coverage Resources solution, coupled with the services and tools offered by eHealth, will enable employers to offer these individuals a comprehensive resource that helps guide them through all elements of the decision-making process -- from knowing and understanding their options to determining their eligibility and ultimately enrolling in a plan that's right for them and their families."