BOCA RATON, Florida —Trade show season is winding down. Which must mean enrollment season is about to heat up.
It makes me wonder what we'll see Nov. 15, when the new and improved HealthCare.gov opens up shop. Yeah, yeah, I know it's under new management but when I read about online pioneer Amazon tweaking their logistics infrastructure months before the raucous holiday season, I couldn't help but wonder how far the feds have to go.
I wonder about this because while I'm out of town, mired in the senior citizen-infested swamps of east Florida, having lunch with my boss and newest co-worker (more on her later), I get a call from my credit card provider.
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(And yes, I have a strict one card policy.)
At any rate, the Home Depot data breach forced my credit card provider to shut me down and leave me hanging on the road weeks after my bank (big ups to Chase) already took care of business with a replacement card. So, as I sit here sipping on my last drink this trip (on credit), I can't help but wonder how far we have to go to lock down health care when we still can't keep our credit card data away from Russian nerds or our cellphones safe from Uncle Sam.
I know, I know, I wrote about this not too long ago, but that phone call stopped my heart for a minute. There are few scenarios as terrifying as being broke away from home. (Probably just one of many reasons I never could stand Kerouac.) But when you see the actual numbers — more than 20 million health records breached this year so far — it boggles the mind. And, keep in mind, this number only includes breaches actually reported to Health and Human Services, so you can be sure the actual number is much higher. Things will get worse before they get better.
Speaking of which, I spoke to more than one broker this week who expected this enrollment season to be busiest ever with the employer mandate back on track.
"But what if the administration pushes it back again?," I asked.
His grin bordered on maniacal.
"I think I might shoot somebody," he said, then walked off.
And while common sense would certainly suggest it's too late in the game for another delay, I wouldn't put anything past this administration. Their history of trying to placate a special interest du jour while pissing off everyone else remains their only real consistency.
For what it's worth, I don't expect another employer mandate delay. And, despite the trial judge ruling out of Oklahoma this week, I wouldn't expect PPACA subsidies to be in any real danger. But, damn, wouldn't it be nice if things would settle down?
Finally, I'd like to officially welcome our newest sales rep, Mariana Rosario-Gonzalez, who's sliding over from the retirement side to help represent the entire benefits business.
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