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The Role of Agents and Brokers in the Market for Health Insurance

Author

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  • Pinar Karaca†Mandic
  • Roger Feldman
  • Peter Graven

Abstract

Health insurance markets in the United States are characterized by imperfect information, complex products, and substantial search frictions. Insurance agents and brokers play a significant role in helping employers navigate these problems. However, little is known about the relations between the structure of the agent/broker market and access and affordability of insurance. This article aims to fill this gap by investigating the influence of agents/brokers on health insurance offering decisions of small firms, which are particularly vulnerable to problems of financing health insurance. Using a unique membership database from the National Association of Health Underwriters together with a nationally representative survey of employers, we find that small firms in more competitive agent/broker markets are more likely to offer health insurance and at lower premiums. Moreover, premiums are less dispersed in more competitive agent/broker markets.

Suggested Citation

  • Pinar Karaca†Mandic & Roger Feldman & Peter Graven, 2018. "The Role of Agents and Brokers in the Market for Health Insurance," Journal of Risk & Insurance, The American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 85(1), pages 7-34, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jrinsu:v:85:y:2018:i:1:p:7-34
    DOI: 10.1111/jori.12139
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    Cited by:

    1. Tsai-Jyh Chen, 0. "The role of distribution channels in market discipline for the life insurance industry," The Geneva Papers on Risk and Insurance - Issues and Practice, Palgrave Macmillan;The Geneva Association, vol. 0, pages 1-23.
    2. Maik Dehnert, 2020. "Sustaining the current or pursuing the new: incumbent digital transformation strategies in the financial service industry," Business Research, Springer;German Academic Association for Business Research, vol. 13(3), pages 1071-1113, November.
    3. Jonathan Gruber & Benjamin R. Handel & Samuel H. Kina & Jonathan T. Kolstad, 2020. "Managing Intelligence: Skilled Experts and AI in Markets for Complex Products," NBER Working Papers 27038, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    4. Lukas Stricker & Joël Wagner & Angela Zeier Röschmann, 2023. "The Future of Insurance Intermediation in the Age of the Digital Platform Economy," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-32, August.
    5. Tsai-Jyh Chen, 2021. "The role of distribution channels in market discipline for the life insurance industry," The Geneva Papers on Risk and Insurance - Issues and Practice, Palgrave Macmillan;The Geneva Association, vol. 46(1), pages 107-129, January.

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