Countless stakeholders across the country are waiting in anticipation for the result of the current challenge in the Supreme Court of the constitutionality of Obamacare. Pundits have second-guessed what the decision may be, and what impact any ruling may have on the populace in general, and the industry specifically.
While the jury is still out, it is worth examining some outcomes of the legislation regardless of future statutory standing. One of the most significant changes in the distribution channel for health insurance will be the establishment of health insurance exchanges. Although States are required to establish such exchanges under the law, pro-active entities are springing up around the country to provide health insurance exchanges for the general public. Some states have not yet embraced the mandated exchange policy in a political bet that the law will be struck down.
Healthcare Staffing firms have long struggled to provide competitive health insurance coverage that was sufficiently flexible to meet the needs of their employees and provide ease of access in multiple state settings. Health insurance exchanges can best be described as a “Travelocity” of sorts for the health insurance industry. Private exchanges have been popping up all over the country with some including as many as 50 carriers. Choosing coverage, premiums, and special benefits will never be the same as these exchanges begin to fundamentally change the way insured select health coverage.