Am I the only one who thinks HealthCare.gov is actually easier than private brokers?

I spent three years paying a broker $45 a month in fees for a plan that turned out to have a $6,000 deductible I didn't fully understand. Last open enrollment I just went straight to the marketplace site and found a $320/month silver plan with $1,500 deductible and no broker middleman. Has anyone else found better deals going direct instead of using an agent?

3 comments

3 Comments

viola_garcia5610d ago

Brokers have a weird incentive to push the plans that pay them the best commission, not necessarily what's best for you. I found out my old broker was steering everyone toward a specific carrier that had higher co-pays on prescriptions because that company offered a bonus for volume. The marketplace just shows you every option sorted by price and coverage, no hidden agenda. It's really eye-opening when you look at the actual plan documents yourself instead of trusting someone who gets paid per sign-up.

white.keith10d ago

Yeah, I hear what you're saying @viola_garcia56, but my experience with brokers wasn't nearly that bad. Most of the guys I've worked with were just trying to get me a decent plan without all the confusing fine print. Your old broker sounds like a real piece of work, but I think you might be painting the whole bunch with one brush.

rivera.hannah8d ago

Actually the marketplace plans have commissions built into the premiums too, just hidden.