What impact will health insurance exchanges have on the individual and small-group markets ... and what strategies should be put in place ASAP to get ready?
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While exchanges hold the promise of millions of new customers for health insurers, those that participate will face strict transparency compliance rules and rate-hike scrutiny from both state and federal regulators. And in the individual market, insurers will have to compete on price and quality rather than on their ability to price risk.

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The health reform law requires insurance exchanges to be operational by Jan. 1, 2014, however, they actually must be certified by HHS one year earlier. That means states have just two years to make numerous decisions. For example, exchanges will have broad authority to exclude certain health plans if doing so is in the best interest of individuals and employers, so states will need to decide whether to open the exchanges to all health insurers (Utah’s model) or to limit participation to only a handful of insurers (Massachusetts’ model).

Join us on Dec. 14 along with eHealth’s Sam Gibbs, Cindy Gillespie from McKenna Long & Aldridge, Vince Ashton from HealthPass New York and MAXIMUS’ Bruce Caswell for a high-level 60-minute roundtable discussion addressing the most current thinking on these and other key questions:  

• Health insurers will need to build new products that comply with each exchange’s parameters. Will insurers simply be able to tweak existing products to fit?
• Massachusetts and Utah have launched very different exchange models. Which features of each are likely to be emulated by other states?
• Many states require health plans to incorporate scores of mandates into their products. Will exchange-based plans need to include state mandates? How might that impact profit margins?
• While some states will allow all qualified health plans to participate in their exchange, other states might limit participants. How can health plans ensure a seat at the table?
• Consumers who seek coverage through an exchange will be older, sicker and less educated that those who now purchase individual coverage. What must insurers do to reach — and meet the needs of — these potential new customers?
• Confusion about the exchanges could create a niche for agents and brokers. How can they ensure they remain vital to the success of participating health insurers?