Federal government launches new health insurance website

News outlets reported on the federal government's new information clearinghouse for consumers  — healthcare.gov — meant to help patients navigate the health insurance landscape.

NPR reports that the website, which was mandated in the new health reform law, is meant to guide consumers through the process of securing health insurance. "'This is such a huge step forward in terms of somebody being able to sit in their living room, at their kitchen table with a family member, [and] get information where nobody is trying to sell you anything,' [said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.] That's key, says Sebelius. There's no marketing on the site, no soft-sell in the guise of information, just all the options, both public and private arranged for each user personally." On the site, consumers can see all the health plans available to them in their zip code (Seabrook, 7/1).

The Washington Post: "Users of the site — HealthCare.gov — will not need to divulge personal information such as their name, address or income. Instead, the site asks a series of questions including age, Zip code, job status and degree of difficulty affording health insurance, then uses a person's answers to produce a detailed list of potential coverage options from among 5,500 private plans.  ... The site also inaugurates a substantial change in the private insurance market. Until now, consumers buying on the individual market and small-business owners shopping for group plans on behalf of their workers have largely had to do their own research or rely on brokers who work on commission and may be unwilling or unable to divulge the complete list of private plans available" (Aizenman, 7/1).

In a Q & A, Kaiser Health News reports: "In October, a more comprehensive version of the website will be launched that will have extensive benefit and pricing data, including premiums, deductibles and coverage limitations. Eventually, the site will also include performance data on the plans, such as what percentage of claims the plans reject, how much the plans' premium revenue is spent on health care and the number of times patients appeal coverage decisions" (Galewitz, 7/1).

In a separate story, Kaiser Health News reports that eHealthInsurance is looking to profit from the new law. "The Mountain View, Calif., company's website helps consumers compare prices and benefits of selected health insurance policies." The company is bidding for a government contract to run the enhanced site in the fall. "The contract is expected to be worth $5 million to $10 million in each of the next few years, according to industry sources, and the Department of Health and Human Services could announce a vendor by mid-July" (Galewitz, 7/1).