The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has increased wages at its 11 call centers to $15 per hour.
The pay increase is available to contract employees in all of the Medicare and Federal Health Insurance Marketplace (HealthCare.gov) call center locations, impacting 12,000 staff. The pay increase was effective Sept. 26, 2021.
The pay hike comes as the labor market has become increasingly tight. More than 4.3 million workers quit their jobs in August, according to recent figures from the Department of Labor. President Joe Biden also previously increased the minimum wage for all federal contractors to $15 per hour by Jan. 30, 2022.
“Fielding over 40 million calls each year, our dedicated call center representatives contribute to the health and safety of millions of people across the country—particularly those without access to the internet or other community resources—by explaining health insurance options and assisting people with the enrollment process,” said CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. “This pay increase delivers on President Biden’s dignity of work vision and supports consumers and the hardworking professionals at these call centers as we enter our busiest season.”
Call center staff have been critical players in signing up Americans for healthcare insurance on the Affordable Care Act Marketplace, Healthcare.gov. The Biden administration created a special enrollment period earlier this year to allow Americans to sign up for coverage outside the annual enrollment period. The move proved popular, with roughly 2.3 million additional Americans finding healthcare on the marketplace.
The call centers roughly double their staff size during open enrollment, growing from 6,000 to 12,000 workers. The higher wages will likely help CMS recruit employees it needs ahead of the next open enrollment period.
The CMS Medicare and Marketplace call centers are located in:
- Bogalusa, LA
- Brownsville, TX
- Chester, VA
- Hattiesburg, MS
- Lawrence, KS
- London, KY
- Lynn Haven, FL
- Phoenix, AZ
- Sandy, UT
- Tampa, FL
- Winchester, KY
Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."