Unland’s Smart Choices™ Marketplace Makes Shopping for Health Insurance Easy

The Unland Companies is making it easier to buy health insurance by offering ConnectedHealth’s Smart Choices™ Marketplace – a private insurance shopping site that provides access to virtually all health plans available on and off the public marketplace.

“Under the new law, all citizens must have health insurance or pay a penalty,” Bill Shock, Executive Vice President of Unland’s benefits department, said. “Smart Choices is a great tool for those who are looking for an alternative to the public exchanges and want to select the benefit options that are important to them.” He explained that both individuals and businesses will benefit from this service, enabling them to make informed options. “Businesses that don’t offer health insurance, or those with non-benefit eligible employees, can show their whole team they are appreciated and valued for the services they provide.” 

The Smart Choices Marketplace is simple to use and navigate, providing convenient online resources to clarify health insurance and the individual mandate. Consumers can select from well-known national and regional health insurance companies as well as insurance plans on the public exchange.

“The choice (and price they pay) is theirs,” Shock continued. “They can find the right insurance to suit their own preferences and budget in as little as 12 minutes and – once an application has been sent – receive their enrollment confirmation usually within about 10 days.”

The insurance options available through Smart Choices include Humana, Aetna, UnitedHealthOne, Assurant, Celtic, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, CIGNA and others. Smart Choices requires no employer participation other than promotion of this valuable benefit. No payroll deduction, premium subsidy or HR support is required.

Consumers also gain access to valuable information in the Smart Choices Resource Center. Topics discussed include healthcare costs, deciding how much insurance to buy, how health insurance works, how to compare health plans, what you need to apply and what to expect after you apply.

The Smart Choices Marketplace is currently in open enrollment for 2014 coverage. In general, an individual can only enroll in non-group health coverage (enroll in coverage directly) during the annual open enrollment period. The open enrollment period for 2014 coverage extends through March 31, 2014. Once the open enrollment period is over, individuals and families will not be able to enroll in a new health plan until the next open enrollment period.  Changes in circumstance – e.g., a person loses his or her group health insurance – allows individuals to use the marketplace between open enrollment periods.

To learn more about Smart Choices Marketplace, visit unland.com or call 1-888-874-8408 to speak to a representative.