HHS: Apple® Can Teach You A Few Things About Transparency And Accountability

Post by: Butch Zemar in Uncategorized

National Open Enrollment is coming up fast for those under 65 years old and buy their own insurance. Will we have all the problems we did last year? It could be more. Even Apple® had a shaky start during their iPhone 6 launch. The only difference is Apple managed to fix them and sell a record of 10 million iPhones in one week.

The Health Insurance Marketplace did not even scratch the surface comparing to Apple’s launch. Could HHS learn a few things about transparency and accountability from Apple?

HHS could be a little more transparent. If Apple has a problem, we usually hear about it, and fast.

America was definitely mislead heading into the first open enrollment Oct. 1st 2013. Even to this date, they are misleading. The website still has flaws, almost a year later.

The number of paid enrollees could use some transparency. Apple can give you a break down of any product sold on any given day. I would not be surprised that they would know by the hour. HHS and the Obama Administration have not given any breakdown. In fact, we do not even know if the number they have released account for paid accounts. I'm sure Apple's number included everyone that willingly handed them their credit card.

Apple normally does not use the name blame game if there is a problem. If it is something they should handle, especially if it is within the first 12 months, they step up and take care of it - no questions asked. If you went into the Apple store, they might even end the conversation with a good handshake welcoming you back.

On many cases, The Health Insurance Marketplace employees pointed the finger to the insurance company. The reality, the insurance company's hands are tied until they get word from the Health Insurance Marketplace.

We have had a huge handful of cases, at the insurance agency, which we had to go back and forth for some time to try to get a resolution. In most of the cases, the Health Insurance Marketplace was the pirate holding the policyholder hostage. The other cases I'm under the assumption something happened behind closed doors to have it fixed.

During some of those calls to the Health Insurance Marketplace, you would be disconnected, put on hold forever, or told they could not do anything at the moment. Although, they claimed they were 'really sorry' about the matter, the policyholder was still stuck.

Up a creek without a paddle is more like it.

Apple is not by any means innocent. Their stock dropped some when they had software issues on the rollout of iOS 8 and the rare occurrences of bending iPhones. The point is they are held accountable and they are transparent. Something HHS, The Health Insurance Marketplace and the Obama Administration should take some notes on.

We cannot change the government over night (or at all in some cases). All we can do is go with the flow. It is best to work with a professional that has been through these problems and can offer good insight to resolving the issue. Even if you already applied on the Health Insurance Marketplace, you can still appoint a licensed insurance advisor to represent you.

Butch Zemar
EliteBenefits.net

29 Sep 2014