The DC Health Benefit Exchange Authority Executive Board has approved partnerships with the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) and the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU).  

 

As the leading voice for the restaurant industry in the District, RAMW will educate members, restaurant owners and staff about the Affordable Care Act and the new options for affordable, high quality health insurance available through the District’s new online health insurance marketplace, DC Health Link, scheduled to open on October 1.  

 

The partnership with RAMW, an organization which represents over 750 member businesses in the District, Northern Virginia and Maryland area, will educate employers, part-time and seasonal employees through in-person sessions, social media, webinars, and print marketing materials. 

 

“Our new partnership with DC Health Link is a welcome opportunity to effectively communicate changes in the health care landscape to our members and the District’s more than 52,000 restaurant employees, and facilitate enrollment in health care coverage through DC Health Link,” said Kathy Hollinger, president and CEO of  RAMW.   

 

The Exchange Authority also approved a contract with NAHU, a nationally recognized voice representing more than 100,000 health insurance agents and brokers nationwide, to develop and administer a training program for health insurance brokers.  Once brokers receive required training from NAHU, they will be able to sell coverage through DC Health Link. 

 

The agreement with NAHU aims to make it easier for brokers to sell health insurance through DC Health Link.  Brokers are required to have training before selling through DC Health Link. The agreement enables DC Health Link to provide free, customized, online and in-person educational training to brokers in the District, Maryland, and Virginia through 2014. NAHU will develop and provide training to all licensed brokers. Brokers do not have to be members of NAHU. Trainings will begin in August.  

 

“We look forward to working with DC Health Link to ensure brokers and their clients have the information they need to enroll in high-quality, affordable health coverage,” said NAHU CEO Janet Trautwein.  

 

DC Health Link Executive Director Mila Kofman expressed her appreciation for the new partnerships, which follow recent agreements with the D.C. Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. 

 

“The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington and the National Association of Health Underwriters are industry leaders who have trusted working relationships with their members and proven track records of success.  I am excited to have the opportunity to work with Kathy Hollinger and Janet Trautwein to help ensure the success of DC Health Link,” said Mila Kofman, J.D., executive director of the DC Health Benefit Exchange Authority.