Confessions of a Health Insurance Agent

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Feb 12, 2014, 08:30 ET

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- He hates Obamacare…and still thinks (most of) you should buy it.

He thinks it's bad law…and that you should buy it.

He thinks it might even fail under its own weight…and yet thinks you should buy it.

"I think this whole Obamacare "fix" is anything but that," says Shaun Kennard, president of Kennard Financial Inc., and an independent insurance agent for over 25 years. "But it is law and your only alternative is to pay a fine—which for most people just doesn't make sense. When you also consider that there are an estimated 17 million people that will qualify for subsidies I certainly think it warrants a closer look."

According to a Harvard University Study as much as 62% of personal bankruptcies filed in the US were due to medical expenses. And almost 75% of those had health insurance—they were just underinsured. "People don't realize how serious it is to be walking around without health insurance or even simply underinsured," says Shaun Kennard. "It's a sure recipe for disaster and one that many people can avoid now as a result of either the subsidy programs or the removal of all pre-existing condition limitations."

Indeed, the subsidy programs are fairly far-reaching and you may be surprised to learn that you qualify for help. Assistance begins from a single person making less than $45,960 to a family of five with a household income less than $110,280.

Shaun Kennard does caution people to stay away from actually enrolling on the government's websites (to include the Covered California site) and advises using an agent instead. "It doesn't add anything to your costs, keeps your personal information off the main sites, and gives you an advocate and go-to person for answers without having to go through the hold purgatory that seems to be everywhere health insurance related these days. And yes, it's somewhat self-serving to say, but true nonetheless."

While his advice to use an agent may indeed seem self-serving, a quick internet search on "Obamacare website security" shows that it is well-founded. According to David Kennedy, head of computer security consulting firm TrustedSec LLC, the Obamacare website is even less secure now than it was in November. He actually testified before Congress that the site was "100 percent" insecure and that personal data was at risk.

Thanks to Obamacare health insurance has gone from a "need" to a "must have". It is recommended that you investigate fully, tread carefully, and get all the free help you can.

Shaun Kennard is a licensed insurance agent in CA, license #0747680. He has specialized in small group and individual health plans since 1988. For more information or to get help with your own health insurance coverage visit http://www.coveredcaregistry.com.