AHIP Institute 2011: The 4 Exchanges

Individuals and small groups are supposed to be able to use the exchanges to buy subsidized coverage.

A state can set up one exchange for its residents or several exchanges, or it can join a multi-state exchange consortium. A state also can let the federal government provide exchange services for its residents.

Federal officials say an exchange could take many forms.

The Deloitte consultants suggested that 4 distinct operating models will emerge.

• Information aggregators, which serve mainly to help individuals and small groups get information about coverage.
• Retail-oriented exchanges, which want to maximize sales.
• Market curator exchanges, which try to offer consumers and employers the best plans.
• Guided exchanges, or exchanges that will impose strict standards on the available plans without providing the same kinds of tools that the market curator exchanges will provide.

Managers of the retail-oriented exchanges and the market curator exchanges may face challenges when it comes to meeting customer service goals, because they will share responsibility for dealing with the customers with the health carriers, the consultants say.

Other AHIP coverage from National Underwriter Life & Health:

• AHIP Institute 2011: The Techies Are There
• AHIP Institute 2011: PPACA, PPACA, PPACA
• AHIP: If Providers Do What We Do, They Should Follow the Same Rules
• AHIP to NAIC: Well-Paid Producers Important to Exchange System
• AHIP Unveils Set Of Proposals For Covering The Uninsured