This short video is a light-hearted, visual approach to what could be a very boring topic.
In the United States, the Health Care Marketplace (also called the “exchange”) is a key feature of the Affordable Care Act (often referred to as “Obamacare”). It’s intended to be an online marketplace where consumers can research available options and then buy health insurance. (What? This hasn’t already been available? No, health care doesn’t operate like most other sectors of our economy. But that’s another issue.)
It’s called the “Marketplace,” but there isn’t just one … all 50 states have their own marketplaces, some administered by the federal government and some by individual states.
Furthermore, there are new tax credits to help lower-income households pay for a health care plan.
Most people get health insurance through their employers. From what I know, it sounds like most employees who earn above minimum wage and have decent health benefits won’t see any advantage to shopping for insurance from the Marketplace.
But the government requires all large employers to provide employees with information about the Marketplace, just in case. In addition, employees are hearing a lot of noise about it from advertising and news reports.
As a result, at Aspendale Communications, we’ve been helping employers explain the Marketplace to their employees … to avoid confusion among employees, and to help them appreciate the value of their employee benefits.
We can custom-fit the video to an employer’s specific information and the specific issues their employees may need to consider. For example, some employers may need to let employees know they may find more affordable plans in the Health Insurance Marketplace. Other employers may want to make sure employees know about the Marketplace as an alternate to COBRA if their coverage ends, or as future consideration for retiree health care.
If your company would benefit from this video or other employee communications, please contact me. We would love to help!
Jesse Lahey, SPHR, is the host of the Engaging Leader podcast, host of the Game Changer podcast series, and managing principal of Aspendale Communications. Connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn.
