The sign-up period for buying health insurance on a new marketplace called an exchange begins on Tuesday, and Wisconsin officials say they're ready.
The federal government will operate Wisconsin's exchange but state officials will still regulate insurers and make sure people know about this new insurance option under health reform. Wisconsin was one of the states that sued to stop the law but is now confident in its ability to carry it out, says Deputy Insurance Commissioner Dan Schwartzer.
“We weren't sure if we'd hit the finish line,” said Schwartzer. “We've made the finish line by Oct. 1. We've got the agents that have been trained. The regional enrollment networks are up.”
There are 11 regional enrollment networks around the state. Those networks use existing social service systems to assist people in getting health coverage. Word of mouth and public education campaigns about health reform are designed to boost enrollment for private insurance sold on the exchange.
But Deputy Health Services Secretary Kevin Moore said it will also spark interest in public insurance and increase the number of BadgerCare participants.
“We're expecting almost 40,000 new children to come into the Medicaid rolls because of the 'woodwork effect' we'll see over the course of the next year,” said Moore.
As more people learn about health insurance options and that the federal law requires coverage, it's expected more will “come out of the woodwork.”
