If you are looking for health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), you may have heard of brokers and navigators. These are two types of professionals who can help you find and enroll in an ACA plan that meets your needs and budget.

But what are the differences between brokers and navigators? And how can you choose the best one for your situation?

In this post, we will explain the role of brokers and navigators in ACA enrollment, and how they can assist you in getting the best health insurance coverage.

What are brokers?

Brokers are licensed agents who sell health insurance plans from different companies. They can help you compare different plans based on their benefits, costs, networks, and quality ratings. They can also help you determine if you are eligible for any subsidies or tax credits that can lower your premium.

Brokers work for commissions from the insurance companies they represent. They do not charge you any fees for their services. However, they may not offer all the plans that are available on the Health Insurance Marketplace, or they may favor some plans over others based on their commissions.

Brokers must complete training and certification to sell ACA plans. They must also follow federal and state laws and regulations regarding health insurance sales.

What are navigators?

Navigators are trained and certified individuals or organizations who provide free and unbiased assistance to consumers who want to enroll in ACA plans. They can help you understand your options, fill out your application, enroll in a plan, and access other resources such as Medicaid or CHIP.

Navigators do not sell or recommend any specific plans. They only provide information and guidance based on your needs and preferences. They also do not receive any commissions or incentives from any insurance companies or plans.

Navigators are funded by grants from the federal or state governments. They must complete training and certification to provide ACA enrollment assistance. They must also follow federal and state laws and regulations regarding consumer protection and privacy.

How to choose between brokers and navigators?

Both brokers and navigators can help you enroll in an ACA plan, but they have different roles and responsibilities. Depending on your situation, you may prefer one over the other.

You may want to use a broker if:

• You want to compare different plans from different companies in one place.
• You want to get advice from a licensed professional who knows the ins and outs of health insurance.
• You don’t mind that the broker may not offer all the plans that are available on the Marketplace, or that they may have a financial interest in some plans over others.

You may want to use a navigator if:

• You want to get free and impartial assistance from a trained individual or organization who works for your best interest.
• You want to explore all the plans that are available on the Marketplace, regardless of which company offers them.
• You want to get help with other aspects of health care access, such as Medicaid, CHIP, or appeals

How can DiskQuote help you find the right ACA plan?

Whether you choose to use a broker or a navigator, or both, you may still want to do some research on your own before you enroll in an ACA plan. That’s where DiskQuote comes in.

DiskQuote is a company that works with reliable Health Insurance and Medicare Companies to get you the right insurance prices. DiskQuote has a team of qualified and experienced professionals who can help you find the ideal ACA plan for your needs.

DiskQuote can help you:

• Compare different ACA plans from different companies in one place.
• Find out if you are eligible for any subsidies or tax credits to lower your costs.
• Enroll in an ACA plan online or over the phone.
• Get answers to any questions or concerns you may have about ACA plans and enrollment.

How Brokers and Navigators Help with ACA Enrollment

We interviewed David Smith, a 40-year-old construction worker from Houston, about his experience with using brokers and navigators to enroll in an ACA plan. David had a life change that required him to find a new health insurance plan.

David, what was the life change that made you look for a new health insurance plan?

Well, I lost my job last year due to the pandemic. I was laid off from the construction company I worked for. That meant I also lost my employer-sponsored health insurance. I needed to find a new plan that would cover me and my family.

How did you find out about brokers and navigators and what they do?

I heard about them from a friend who had used them before. He told me that brokers and navigators are professionals who can help me find and enroll in an ACA plan. He said that brokers can sell me plans from different companies, while navigators can give me free and unbiased information and guidance.

How did you choose between brokers and navigators and how did they help you?

I decided to use both. I contacted a broker first, because I wanted to see what plans were available from different companies. The broker was very helpful and showed me different plans based on their benefits, costs, networks, and quality ratings. He also helped me apply for a subsidy that lowered my premium.

Then I contacted a navigator, because I wanted to get a second opinion and see if there were any other plans that I might have missed. The navigator was also very helpful and gave me more information and guidance based on my needs and preferences. He also helped me enroll in the plan that I chose.

Note:The interviewee’s name has been changed to protect their privacy.

How can DiskQuote help you find the right ACA plan for your new situation?

At DiskQuote, we work with the reliable Health Insurance and Medicare Companies to get you insurance prices. We can help you compare and enroll in an ACA plan that suits your budget and health goals.

If you are interested in getting an ACA plan for 2023, don’t wait until the last minute. Contact us today and let us help you find the deal for your health insurance. Visit our contact page to fill out a simple form. Don’t let life changes affect your health insurance coverage. Update your ACA plan today with DiskQuote! 😊