Unintended consquences, PPACA eliminating 100,000+ agents and brokers

The president’s healthcare bill is showing America “change” has unintended consequences. Here’s one which will ripple through the lives of Americans receiving health benefits through small to mid-sized employers! Losing their jobs are 100,000+ agents and brokers who served as a buffer between the needs of insured Americans and the insurance companies? http://tinyurl.com/7l2oup3

It seems Kathleen Sebelius, Duchess of HHS, found the 2.02% of agent commission unworthy to be included in expenses for MLR calculations. Back to the land of unintended consequences. What roles do these agents play in the health outcomes of every-day Americans? (Ok, I understand the intent of Obamacare’s creators is to completely eliminate employer sponsored health benefits. For the sake of discussion, let’s pretend the nation comes to its senses and only permits part of PPACA to survive?)

Here’s a few instances in which agents and brokers changed the lives of their clients (1) Cancer diagnosis A woman’s physician, and consulting physician, strongly suspect she has initial stages of  serious organ cancer. They recommend advanced imaging as a diagnostic tool. The insurance company declines opting only to pay/permit exploratory surgery to collect multiple biopsy samples. The insurance broker reminds the insurance company of legal and public perception issues with such a decision and, after additional consideration, the insurance company relents. The test indicates the woman cancer free!

(2) Simple mistakes sink ships- During an open enrollment meeting an employee mistakenly prints the wrong date on the group enrollment application. The insurance company denies coverage under the group. The agent threatens to move another large group to a competitor if the mistake is not treated an inadvertent mistake. Problem solved.

(3) Deny by contract provision An applicant for individual coverage correctly answers individual underwriting questions as not knowing about heart disease. The policy is issued and after 9 months the person suffers a heart attack. The insurance company cites a prior doctor visit as proof the individual knew, or should have known they were subject to a heart attack, and denies coverage. The agent hounds the company VP of underwriting until the decision is reversed.

I know some will say the above are exactly what the entirety of PPACA will prevent! Hold on there “Kiomsabe”. If you believe free market healthcare can be tough, how about nationalized healthcare. http://tinyurl.com/nyap8o Things aren’t so rosy with the national health system in Great Britain! What makes us think our government would do better? For example, “Cash for Clunkers”

I once had a boss with very initiative advice. “Be careful what you ask for. You may get it”. Why not make provisions for uninsured American’s without destroying our current system? More on this later!