But what reform also did was take employee benefits mainstream. When I took this job nearly 11 years ago, health insurance rarely made this news. And forget about HSAs or HDHPs. No one knew what the hell those things were.

Now they're talking about them everywhere. When people outside the business ask what I do for a living now, I don't get that blank look anymore. Sure, we still have miles to go when it comes to educating employees and employers alike about enrollment, voluntary products and pre-tax contributions, but there's a level of mainstream awareness there that simply wasn't there before. And, sure, it might be riddled with misinformation and bias, but that only makes the broker's role that much more critical.

Consider this: More than two-thirds of federal exchange enrollments processed through Benefitfocus alone last year were broker-assisted apps. Sure, PPACA's a mess, but it's far from the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse for brokers. On the contrary, it's probably the single greatest driver of growth right now for brokers willing to brave the individual and small group markets. I can't believe any half-ambitious broker would argue for PPACA's demise at this point.

I haven't made it through all the press reports yet, but Apple's fancy new watch has the potential to revolutionize a market that's been shuffling along for a few years now. And a vibrant wearables market, coupled with engaged employers, can drag consumer-driven health care into the 21st century. Transparency and accountability can go from being toothless talking points to being an everyday part of life.

(One example: If I had told you 10 years ago that you could hold the sum total of mankind's history and knowledge in the palm of your hand, you would have laughed me out of the room. Now we're being told we can have our entire medical history, our month's activity, and even our genetic predispositions all at our fingertips. Maybe next we can shop for a hip replacement Lending Tree style, with providers bidding for the service.)

But a whole new level of regulatory meddling looms that makes PPACA look like small potatoes. We've already had the FDA put the smackdown on 23and Me. I can't help but think they'll team up with their friends at the FTC to slow down progress as best they can.

Regulators have always lagged behind real progress. They're as resistant to change as many of my broker friends — if not more so.

But consumers want — and brokers and carriers need — this transparency revolution. If you doubt me, look for the numbers next month when the Apple Watch goes on sale. Or better yet, try to buy one the day it drops.

Finally, consider this study from the University of Colorado Denver, which found that patients who had access to their medical records while undergoing treatment might worry less.

According to Reuters, which reported the story, "Beforehand, 92 percent of patients thought reviewing the electronic charts would help them understand their medical condition and 80 percent expected this to help them comprehend doctors' instructions. After reviewing their charts, these figures dropped to 82 percent and 60 percent, respectively. But at the same time, patients feared that reading the records would make them more worried and confused, and this didn't happen. Instead, the proportion of patients who were worried dropped to 18 percent from 42 percent, and confusion fell from 52 percent to 32 percent."

I guess information really is power.