The Open Enrollment Period (OEP) can be a demanding time for agents. Simplify your marketplace enrollments by using our preferred Enhanced Direct Enrollment (EDE) platform, HealthSherpa!
If you’re an agent selling Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance plans in the Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM), HealthSherpa is a completely free service. Read more below about HealthSherpa and how registering with Ritter can help us assist you even further. Read more below about HealthSherpa and how registering with Ritter can help us assist you even further.
What Is HealthSherpa?
As an EDE platform, HealthSherpa allows clients to enroll in marketplace coverage without the use of HealthCare.gov. At this time, EDE is available in all states that participate in the federal exchange. HealthSherpa may extend their state-based marketplace support in the future. Currently, they support enrollments in Georgia.
Established in 2013, HealthSherpa has quickly grown to be the largest ACA enrollment platform. More than 35,000 agents utilize the site to help their clients enroll in marketplace coverage with low stress and easy-to-use tools while saving time. EDE sites like HealthSherpa are a great way to streamline your ACA business and help your clients find the coverage they need.
What Is Enhanced Direct Enrollment?
EDE services allow approved entities to provide comprehensive quoting and enrollment services to consumers, outside of the federal marketplace. For example, these platforms are allowed to offer services to see subsidy eligibility, enroll in a plan, and provide customer service to clients who enroll through the platform. Additionally, through EDE, agents are allowed to act on behalf of their clients through the platform when clients give their consent during the enrollment process.
Advantages of Using HealthSherpa
There are many advantages to using HealthSherpa as an insurance agent selling marketplace plans. When using an EDE platform, especially HealthSherpa, the process of enrolling clients is incredibly efficient and streamlined, saving you valuable time to assist other clients.
When using an EDE platform, especially HealthSherpa, the process of enrolling clients is incredibly efficient and streamlined, saving you valuable time to assist other clients.
Provides Assistance Throughout the Entire Enrollment Process
HealthSherpa provides support to agents and clients throughout the entire enrollment process. With an account, you can utilize their shopping tools which allow clients to compare plans by reviewing plan quotes and subsidy estimation.
With HealthSherpa agents can:
- View all plans available in a client’s area
- Compare plan benefits
- Filter plans by prescription or network
Clients can:
- Enroll in the same coverage they would on HealthCare.gov
- Use subsidies or cost-sharing reductions
- Shop, compare, and enroll in a plan
Saves Time
With pre-filled applications, enrolling in an ACA plan is easier than ever before.
According to HealthSherpa, an enrollment can be completed in nine minutes!
That’s extra time you can use to create a powerful TikTok or help other clients!
Can Easily Track Applications
HealthSherpa makes it easy to track clients’ progress in the application process. Whether clients are still shopping and comparing plans or are actively enrolling in a plan, you can see what stage they’re at and reach out to assist them if you notice they’ve been stuck.
Post-Enrollment Features
After your clients have enrolled in a plan, you can upload documentation, see which clients may require a follow up, and make binder payments. It’s also easy to switch or drop coverage if your client needs to. All this information seamlessly syncs with HealthCare.gov.
User-Friendly
With its easy-to-use, clean, and modern site, HealthSherpa is very user-friendly. They have a short and helpful product overview video that agents can watch to get oriented to the platform. If you have questions or concerns about your experience, HealthSherpa also has a thorough Agent Help Center with FAQs and answers. If you’d prefer to reach out to someone, they also have a support team that is available every weekday by phone at 888-684-1373, email [email protected], or live chat to troubleshoot.
Connect with Ritter on HealthSherpa
Ready to start using HealthSherpa to elevate your ACA business? After registering with Ritter, sign up for a HealthSherpa account and use code FB05 to join our agency! If you have an existing account, go into your account settings and click Join Agency, then input the code.
Joining Ritter’s agency allows you to access all features of the platform such as plan comparisons, subsidy evaluation, and enrollment features. Being a part of the HealthSherpa Ritter agency creates the opportunity to share leads and connect with other agents. Additionally, if you need assistance, by connecting with Ritter, we can assist you if you have issues.
Potential Concerns Addressed
As with any new tool or resource, there may be a hesitancy to adapt and incorporate it into your practice. Some agents have expressed concerns with EDE platforms, and we’ll talk about why these concerns shouldn’t drive you away from using HealthSherpa.
Security
Because HealthSherpa is home to sensitive information, including your clients’ health insurance and personal identification, some agents may feel uneasy when putting this information into a non-government-created website.
However, HealthSherpa is highly protected and less likely to be the victim of a cyberattack due to the privacy protections in place. Agents also have the option to enable two-factor authentication on their account for an added measure of security.
Quality of Care
All plans that are offered on HealthCare.gov are available on HealthSherpa. This means that all preventative care and additional services covered by the ACA are also covered by any plan offered on HealthSherpa. Clients won’t be subject to a difference in care whether they sign up for a plan through HealthSherpa or on HealthCare.gov.
The ACA OEP will be here before you know it, and the time to start preparing is now!
If you haven’t already, register with Ritter to enjoy all the benefits of being a Ritter agent, such as our dedicated Under-65 Sales team, a library of resources, such as our ACA eBook, and exclusive contracts! In addition to Ritter’s resources, utilize HealthSherpa to make marketplace enrollments seamless and easier than ever before.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.
Share Post