Navigator Tatum O'Malley from CVOEO sent the following correction after being severely misquoted: 1. A Navigator does NOT recommend plans. Navigators only educate VHC customers about how health insurance works and how to make an informed decision about what plan works best for them. The only mention of the Bronze plan was in the context of suggesting that some people, particularly the low-income Vermonters that frequent CVOEO, may be tempted to sign up for the Bronze plan because they are only considering the upfront (low) cost of the premium. It is the Navigators role to educate Vermonters about health insurance, so that they can understand that Bronze plans could in fact be the MOST expensive option for them, due to the high out of pocket costs. It may have been mentioned that a Bronze plan that can be paired with a Health Savings Account (HSA) could be an option for individuals able to set aside savings, to soften the blow of higher out of pocket costs (but again, specific options are never recommended). Further, the majority of CVOEO clients are not able to set aside savings in an HSA, so do not consider this plan type. 2. A Navigator does NOT ask personal questions about lifestyle choices that could impact health care needs or costs. While someone meeting with a Navigator can volunteer medical information, if they want information about how they will be covered and the costs they would face with different plans. The discussion of personal lifestyles, etc was in the context of the already mentioned topic of discussion- there are many reasons why the Bronze plan could be problematic for someone and that Navigators can help people make informed decisions by understanding the potential high out of pocket costs if they face healthcare conditions or injuries, generally.
Re: “Untangling the Complexities of Vermont's New Health Insurance Exchange”
Navigator Tatum O'Malley from CVOEO sent the following correction after being severely misquoted: 1. A Navigator does NOT recommend plans. Navigators only educate VHC customers about how health insurance works and how to make an informed decision about what plan works best for them. The only mention of the Bronze plan was in the context of suggesting that some people, particularly the low-income Vermonters that frequent CVOEO, may be tempted to sign up for the Bronze plan because they are only considering the upfront (low) cost of the premium. It is the Navigators role to educate Vermonters about health insurance, so that they can understand that Bronze plans could in fact be the MOST expensive option for them, due to the high out of pocket costs. It may have been mentioned that a Bronze plan that can be paired with a Health Savings Account (HSA) could be an option for individuals able to set aside savings, to soften the blow of higher out of pocket costs (but again, specific options are never recommended). Further, the majority of CVOEO clients are not able to set aside savings in an HSA, so do not consider this plan type. 2. A Navigator does NOT ask personal questions about lifestyle choices that could impact health care needs or costs. While someone meeting with a Navigator can volunteer medical information, if they want information about how they will be covered and the costs they would face with different plans. The discussion of personal lifestyles, etc was in the context of the already mentioned topic of discussion- there are many reasons why the Bronze plan could be problematic for someone and that Navigators can help people make informed decisions by understanding the potential high out of pocket costs if they face healthcare conditions or injuries, generally.