As career health insurance agents, we feel we could serve a productive role helping both employers as well as individuals understand as well as evaluate one's eligibility for those considering enrollment into the exchange.
We have discussed, among agents, that there are distinct roles between a "Navigator" and the role of an agent who could become licensed or "registered" to offer plans within the exchanges.

An agent could become a navigator if they wanted to give up offering insurance. Yet, a navigator cannot act as an agent at the same time. We do believe that allowing agents to become "certified to offer" plans within the exchange should be a necessary component to reform.

Many agents who work with employer groups will be asked what do the exchange plans mean to us and how do we conform to H/C reform as an employer? What effects will this have on our group and what do I tell an employee who wants to know if an exchange is right for them?

As agents, we have learned to adapt to market changes over the years. We have a history of understanding complex insurance matters. We know how to work with people and convey complex policies into easy to understand terms.

As agents, we envision insurance reform organisations to develop a protocol that agents could follow to sell within the exchanges.We would work much like an agent who wants to offer Medicare Advantage plans for government entitled Medicare beneficiaries.

We have strict enrollment guidelines we must follow to protect the needs of seniors. Why can't we work with the same model that CMS and Dept of H&H Services has already approved? Agents would serve as a labor force to enroll new members on a flat fee per enrollment. This could be paid for with grant monies given to states to enroll new members.