Health Services

AVENUE H – OFFICE OF CONSUMER HEALTH SERVICES

Avenue Health Insurance Marketplace H

U.C.A 63N-11-101

Avenue H, Utah’s Small Business Health Insurance Marketplace, is Utah’s solution to heath care . Since its creation in 2009, Avenue H has helped small businesses (1-50 employees) statewide provide insurance to employees. Avenue H’s process lets business owners choose a defined contribution amount for each employee . In addition, employees pick their own health care benefits from a variety of medical, dental and HSA plans . Enrollment is simple, taking place online and allowing employees to compare plans that will best fit their needs.

FY 2016 Summary

Technology Enhancements. We have made significant adjustments to the online portal to improve the employer experience . We have streamlined validation rules for participation eligibility, improved the upload function of quarterly wage and tax information, and eliminated the import of employee data by creating an employee data online entry form . We also consolidated sign-ins between our two technology partners for access to enrollment and billing to one single login . We have improved the consumer shopping experience for employees by adding educational videos, additional comparison tools, and we have translated many of our key documents into Spanish .

Business Development and Education. Avenue H has continued to implement broker credentialing training to the health insurance brokers across the state . In FY 2016, Avenue H trained 463 brokers who are now certified to sell Avenue H and are educated with our resources. Avenue H provides hands-on assistance to brokers throughout all phases of the Avenue H process, from enrollment to ongoing administration .

Marketing. In FY 2016, we continued our testimonial campaign, adding new testimonials to specifically target brokers and small business owners . We initiated a new email marketing approach to the broker community to keep them informed . Other marketing highlights include a short animated video providing an overview of Avenue H in an engaging and simple way . We created a broker tool kit including checklists, sales presentation and other marketing materials .

Outcomes

In 2016, enrollment for Avenue H increased by 265 businesses . As of FY 2016, 14,913 members have coverage, comprised of 801 small businesses offering health benefits to 5,851 enrolled employees.

Our solution helps the state’s overall goals of reducing uninsured citizens . More than 60 percent of the businesses enrolled with Avenue H did not offer insurance previously .

Moving Forward

Healthcare marketplaces across the nation, including Utah’s, are seeing decreased participation from private insurance carriers . Congress will need to shore up the Risk Management compensation component of the Affordable Care Act to stabilize the marketplaces and create a competitive environment. The Utah Office of Consumer Health Services (Avenue H) will continue to monitor ACA activities at the federal level and adjust accordingly to ensure the best solutions for Utah employers . Public and private health exchanges have the potential to reshape the employersponsored health insurance market . Their success is dependent on future federal action .

For additional information about the Office of Consumer Health Services – Avenue H visit business .utah .gov or contact Patty Conner, Director at pconner@utah .gov or 801-201-0422