D.C. Health Link officials are requesting $32.5 million for their budget next year, a $3.8 million increase they say will go toward addressing IT and call center concerns.
Officials told the D.C. Council’s Health and Human Services Committee on Tuesday that they want to add 19 full-time positions to their staff of 54 next year. The new hires will allow the exchange to ultimately save money by reducing its use of consultants, D.C. Health Benefit Exchange Authority Executive Director Mila Kofman said.
“We recognize federal grants are going away,” she told the panel. “We also realize we rely heavily on consultants who are paid for with those grants.”
D.C. Councilwoman Yvette Alexander, who chairs the health panel, pointed out D.C. Health Link already has more employees that the Maryland health exchange, though it is significantly smaller.
“How can you explain the need for that many more staffers?” Alexander asked.
“There are certain fixed costs no matter how large or small a state is,” Kofman responded.
As part of its $11.3 million IT budget, D.C. Health Link is requesting eight full-time IT positions in addition to the three full-time equivalents the agency already employs to build out new features and addressing problem on its website. A number of customers on the individual and small business exchange have complained about numerous glitches and confusing elements on the website in its second year of enrollment.
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