Westport's Matthew Fair Appointed to Brokers, Agents & Navigators Advisory Committee

Pierson & Smith, a subsidiary of First Niagara Risk Management, today announced that Regional Sales Director Matthew Fair has been appointed to the Brokers, Agents & Navigators Advisory Committee of the Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange (the Exchange).

The Exchange is a quasi-public entity established by the Connecticut Legislature in 2011, following the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), which intends to significantly expand access to health coverage and improve health care for Connecticut residents.  The Exchange will provide a marketplace mechanism for those who do not have coverage to access health insurance.

The Brokers, Agents & Navigators Advisory Committee is one of four different committees and is responsible for identifying the role that brokers and agents will play in the Exchange, and will also evaluate licensing and educational requirements.  Additionally, the committee will define the newly designed function of state navigators, who will help people access the available insurance options.

“With so many complex medical plans available to individuals and businesses, sifting through the various insurance coverage options can be overwhelming and confusing,” said Fair.  “Brokers currently alleviate this process by providing counsel to individuals seeking insurance and facilitating greater access to health care.  We want to preserve this role for brokers in the Exchange.”

Prior to joining First Niagara in April of 2011, Fair was a partner and principal at Pierson & Smith.  He joined Pierson & Smith in 2003 after a 12-year career in New York City with UNUM Insurance Company and Fortis Benefits.  He received his B.A. from Williams College and M.B.A. from New York University’s Stern School of Business.  Fair served on the nominating committee for the 2011 Healthy Workplace Awards, hosted by Business Council of Fairfield County, and currently serves on the Connecticut chapter of the National Association of Health Underwriters’ Board of Directors. 

“We are tasked with building a state health insurance program through federal health reform and we have selected leaders from their respective professional communities to help bring the Exchange to life,” said Mickey Herbert, who serves on the Exchange’s board and is also co-chair of the Brokers, Agents & Navigators Advisory Committee.  “Matt is a leader in the broker community who possesses tremendous industry knowledge overall, and stays abreast of health care reform matters.  We are certain that he will be a key player in helping us assess the broker and agent role in this new market.”  

Fair lives in Westport, CT with his wife Sarah and four children.