HHS Launches Website Dedicated to Consumer Education

On July 1, 2010, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) launched its consumer web portal, healthcare.gov, as mandated by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). HHS notes the site will increase transparency for health insurance consumers and provide information on a number of health insurance and health care issues such as: high risk pool information, lists of all applicable health insurance issuers, how the law affects an individual’s situation and contact information for low cost or free health clinics. The site also includes HHS letters, regulations and facts sheets. HHS is expected to select a vendor by mid-July to run an expanded version of the website, which by October should include health plans' prices and benefits, as well as detailed eligibility criteria for government health plans. 

 

The site may be helpful to small businesses and those with internet access who are comparison shopping for health insurance, though some consumer advocates have noted that a website fails to address the needs of  those - especially the poor - who lack internet access. In addition, consumer advocates are concerned about the risk of HHS selecting a vendor involved in the for profit insurance business running the government website. DeAnn Friedholm, director of health reform for Consumers Union, said she would prefer a nonprofit organization be chosen to operate the website to lessen the chance of a conflict of interest.  

 

Click here to access healthcare.gov

Click here for a Kaiser Q&A about the new site.