Covered California officially launched the full self-enrollment function of the Small Business Health Options (SHOP) online marketplace. It will enable small businesses to fully enroll for coverage that may begin as early as Jan. 1, 2014. Previously, small business employers have been able to register online, check their eligibility and work with a certified insurance agent to get a quote. The new system enhancements now allow online enrollment functionality for SHOP, including online quoting, the ability to submit an online application atwww.coveredca.com in real-time, and the ability for employers to initiate electronic open enrollment for their employees.
Since registration opened in August, more than 22,000 licensed agents have signed up to become certified to sell Covered California products, with more than 7,000 agents certified and available to help individual consumers and small employers in the Covered California marketplace. The increased website functionality also includes a number of new features available for the certified insurance agent community, such as the ability to create an online profile for an individual consumer or small employer, the ability to start and submit an application on behalf of an individual or small employer, and, the ability to process and manage employer online enrollment applications for SHOP.
