Up until recently, most business owners have only needed to concern themselves with purchasing   California business liability insurance and Group Health Insurance.  Their desire has been to find an agency where they can get the best coverage at the lowest rate.  MCV has always prided itself in providing both of these things.  

This is small beans compared to the upcoming changes with Health Care Reform.  Employers will have different options when choosing health insurance.  One option, to stay with their current broker.   We'll use our agency as an example.  We represent our clients.  We are contracted with many carriers including medical, vision, dental, life insurance, long-term-care carriers, work-site products (such as Aflac products)... the list goes on and on.  The point being, we find out our clients needs and budget and find a carrier/carriers that fit best for their particular business.  We also have the liberty to shape certain plans to fit our client's needs.  That's our job. 

2014 might bring in some new changes.  The government is planning on bringing in "exchanges."    Mike Thompson, the principal at PricewaterhouseCoopers says that the state exchanges are "all over the place."  He explains that there are some states that are moving forward with money allocated to them by the federal government.  The money is being used to help them plan for the exchanges.  There are other states that are resisting the exchanges and some that are moving forward. 

The question on everyone's mind seems to be "what will the exchanges look like."  Think DMV merges with In-N-Out Burger.  Maybe that's too pleasant of an example-  us Californians love our In-N-Out.  The idea is, business' will go to a government ran exchange and have a choice between 5 or so plans.  Take your pick and you're out.  

The issue that keeps running through my mind is, "Who will service these business'?"  We have one employee who does just that, it's her primary job.  Her days are filled with fighting carriers to pay claims... We represent our clients.  It's our job to go to battle on behalf of our clients.  My mind keeps going back to DMV.  Who fights on the behalf of me when I have an issue?  My mind goes back to my last DMV experience.  I needed proof of address, simple, right?  I spent 45 minutes online trying to find a number I could call to get the info I needed.  After reaching an automated system, I finally got in touch with a representative and was told that I had to go into DMV but could make an appointment.  The first available appointment... 2 weeks.  Well, I needed proof of address sooner than that so I decided to brave the DMV.   After standing in an hour line, I was directed to sit down for 30 minutes to wait till my number was drawn was I able to speak with a representative.  After two hours, I received what I needed.  Two hours.     

Business owners will have a tough decision ahead of them.  The incentive to go to an exchange, tax breaks.  Is money worth giving up service?  In these economic times, it's a tough call.  Each employer will have to make that decision for himself.  My hope is that he/she sees the value of their broker and decides that service and options are more valuable than a few saved dollars.  But time will only tell.  Until then, let's go enjoy our Animal Style Double-Double with fries on the side and be thankful we live in the great US of A.