Health Insurance Exchange Update: Monday, October 1

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One year from today, health insurance exchanges will open for enrollment.  For those states who have committed to how the state will run their exchanges, they are now working on the logistics of running it a year from today.

While exchanges are set up to easily represent the choices available when selecting health insurance, Minnesota is worried about how to easily understand what choices are available.  So the state is bringing in "Warm Connectors."  When choosing a health plan through work, employees can go to their human resources representative, and the state is hoping that the Warm Connector will function much the same to answer any questions that go through the exchange.  However, now the state is figuring out who will have this job.  Should it be the insurance brokers who already have an in-depth knowledge base on this topic? If so, how will they be compensated?  Minnesota Public Radio has more on the topic.

Maryland recently came to some big decisions about their basic health plan that will be offered through the exchange.  Those offered in the private market will be modeled after the insurance the state employees receive.  The state also ruled that in vitro fertilization will not be covered on the basic plan, setting the benchmark for the items that will be covered.  The Baltimore Business Journal has more.

And finally, South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard has decided that the state will be unable to run an exchange.  They will use the one provided by the federal government.  They will ask the federal government to maintain the authority to regulate the insurance plans.  The government still hasn't released what benefits that exchange will include according to the Insurance Journal.

Want to learn more about the health insurance exchange? This November, the Health Insurance Exchange Congress will be held November 13-14, 2012 in Chicago, IL.  Here, state officials and health plans with the only opportunity to come together to discuss PPACA and strategize on how to make this a successful opportunity for all.  For more information on this year's agenda, download the program here.  As a reader of this blog, when you register to join us and mention code XP1710BLOG, you'll receive 15% off the standard rate!