Health Insurance Exchange Update: Monday, October 1

State Flag of Maryland

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!  

Health Insurance Exchange Update: Wednesday, September 26th

South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard announced Wednesday that the state will not be setting up its own health insurance exchange. According to Gov. Daugaard, the only way the state would be able to operate the costly exchange would be to raise taxes or charge a fee to South Dakota citizens. But South Dakota is not the first state that the federal government will operate and fund, apparently half of the states will choose not to run their own exchange.  

Governor Rick Scott has never been one to hold his tongue regarding the federal healthcare insurance program, and in turn it’s the residents of Florida that he’s hurting. The exchange will be a resourceful place for individuals to compare plans, and also ask questions so that they can find the best healthcare plan tailored for their needs. Many governors across the U.S. that have spoken out against the program are setting their political views aside and realizing that it’s wise to keep their options open. 

Despite fighting hard against President Obama’s Healthcare law, and even signing an executing order banning the implementation of it, Idaho still lost. Since the law was found to be constitutional the governor must now move forward, but it won’t be easy. Wayne Hoffman, president of the Freedom Foundation has made it a priority that all decisions are fully reviewed and discussed.

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!  

Health Insurance Exchange Update: Friday, June 28, 2012

Minnesota State Flag

Many states were delaying their decision on whether or not to build a health insurance exchange until the ruling on the Supreme Court.  With the decision handed down yesterday that the whole law in indeed constitutional, states will now have to decide whether or not to create their own state run exchange or rely on the exchange set up by the federal government.  So where do states stand?  Over the next few weeks, we'll find out who will go with a state run exchange.

For now, here is where some states stand after the ruling:

Colorado had already begun building a state exchange. Repbulicans in the state belive the ruling was truly a good thing for their state.  Their Colorado Benefit Exchange is set to launch in October 2013.  According to Bloomberg Business Week, 13% of the state is currently uninsured.

Montana was one of the states who declined to join the others who brought the law suit to the Supreme Court.  The state believes it has done the right thing, and as a result has continued to work with the federal government in order to make an exchange for its citizens.  Bloomberg Business Week states that their private insurers now have a deadline of next fall to submit their policies that will be available on the exchange to the uninsured citizens of their state.

Minnesota will also be moving ahead with it's health insurance exchange.  Their governor Mark Dayton began building the exchanges in 2011.  It is expected that they will move full steam ahead according to MinnPost.  A 15 member task force has been working together to develop the blueprint for the state, which they will have completed by 2014.  A compelete timeline of this rollout can be found here.  And the letter sent by Minnesota Healthcare Leaders about the exchange can be read here.



New Jersey's Governor Chris Christe has stated he will still not start the creation of a health insurance exchange.  He believes that if there is a change in ruling from the Presidential office, there will no longer need to be a health insurance exchange.  Bloomberg Business Week also states that Christie will comply with any hard deadlines that are set forth by the government.

Nebraska's sentiments are much the same.  Governor Dave Heineman will be further looking at the law and decide what it means for Nebraskans. He will also keep in mind that many things could change if Mitt Romney is voted into office this coming November.  Read more at Omaha.com.

South Dakota's Governor Dennis Daugaard follows suit with Nebraska and New Jersey, stating he has no intention in starting an exchange without fully analyzing all parts of the law.  He will protect South Dakota from the harmful pats and believes that things could change after the November elections.  CBS News states that in 2010, the state had 10% of the population that was uninsured.

To get ahead of the game, join us this November to learn more about creating exchanges.  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!

Health Insurance Exchange Update: Friday, June 15, 2012

In today's health insurance exchange update, we find that even though some states are against the health exchange, they're still taking the measures to create one one.  and Hawaii is the first state to publicly declare that they will be creating a healthcare exchange to be compliant with the government.

Even though Mississippi is a red state, Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney says that the $20 million grant that the state received will be put to good use. According to Politico, they are creating an exchange, but there will be no standard packages, no requirements to sell to people with pre-existing conditions or subsidize the people buying the coverage. The goal of this exchange would be to help healthy people who can afford to buy health insurance find it easier.

Hawaii is the first state to officially declare that it will create a government compliant health plan. Governor Neil Abercrombie issued a letter to the US Health and Human Services Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight that the Hawai'i Health Connector would function as their exchange. According to Maui Now,  this platform was established in 2011 and has contributed to Hawaii achieving one of the lowest uninsured levels of children in the nation.

Montana and South Dakota, however, are less progressive when it comes to creating their health insurance exchanges according to Government Health IT.  Both have many hospitals and doctors who have not adopted to electronic health records.  South Dakota did receive a grant for exploration into the health insurance exchange, but they were a part of the law suit brought to the Supreme Court to determine the constitutionality of the law. Montana was not a part of hte exchange, but have accepted a $1 million grant to study their options.  Both states have really high uninsured population averages, but also a higher than average number of individuals on Medicaid.

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.  As a reader of this blog, when you register to join us and mention code XP1710BLOG, you'll receive 15% off the standard rate!