Health Care Advocates Office tells Senate it saved Vermonters $3.6 million, warns insurers under strain

The Health Care Advocates Office told the Senate Health & Welfare Committee on Jan. 16 that its staff helped Vermonters resolve complex coverage and billing problems, produced an estimated $3.6 million in direct consumer savings last year and supported program changes designed to lower out‑of‑pocket costs.

The briefing, given to the committee during its Jan. 16 meeting, explained the office’s role, how constituents are referred and examples of case types the office handles. The office also highlighted recent state and federal policy actions that it said expand financial help for eligible Vermonters.

The Health Care Advocates Office, which the presenter said operates out of Legal Aid, described itself as an independent consumer advocacy and “watchdog” resource rather than a state agency or insurer. “We are a resource to help people…we are a free resource,” the Health Care Advocate said, and added the office fields calls and emails, opens cases and sometimes represents individuals in disputes with insurers…