1. Broker Referral Program and Web-Based Entity Pilot
Maryland Health Benefit Exchange
Board Meeting
January 26, 2014
Carolyn A. Quattrocki
Interim Executive Director,

2. Broker Referral Program
Partnership Proposal
Offer from the National Association of Insurance & Financial Advisors of Maryland (NAIFA MD), the Maryland Association of Health Underwriters (MAHU), and the Insurance Agents & Brokers Service Group (IA&B).
Approximately 55 brokers have volunteered to accept referrals from consumers who want the assistance of a local insurance broker in navigating the website and/or enrolling directly with carriers.
Participating brokers are licensed insurance producers and authorized to sell qualified health plans in the Exchange, and are geographically distributed throughout the State.
Associations will fund and administer a hotline number for consumers to call; number will be available on Maryland Health Connection website.
Hotline:

3. Web-Based Entity Pilot Proposal
Background
MHBE previously explored potential advantages of partnering with web-based entities (WBE) to increase enrollment;
WBE advisory group noted potential advantages of greater outreach efforts, particularly to young people, and innovation in plan selection;
MHBE cannot integrate its website with a WBE at this time, given current IT challenges.
Potential Alternative Partnership
Consumer enters application information on WBE website;
Consumer receives estimated APTC subsidy calculation;
WBE enables consumer to make preliminary plan selection with a calculated premium, based on estimated APTC;
WBE sends application, estimated APTC, and preliminary plan selection to MHBE;
MHBE enters data into MHC website, and, if APTC, plan selection, and calculated premium match, enrolls the customer.

4. Web-Based Entity Pilot Proposal
Potential Value
Leverage marketing capabilities of WBE to reach individuals who might not otherwise seek insurance coverage through marylandhealthconnection.gov;
More likely successful for single individuals rather than households, since WBE application will not have dynamic elements and verifications of MHC.
Recommendation for Pilot Proposal
MHBE should seek WBE for pilot partnership of up to 200 single individuals, with potential to extend further.
Issue Request for Proposals for pilot to begin March 1, 2014.