Pennsylvania remains uncertain on health insurance exchanges [The Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa.]
By Robbie Ward, The Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner
More than a month ago,
"As previously communicated to you by
Unable to get satisfactory answers from the executive branch,
"The lack of detailed information from HHS has put
"We're traveling down a road, directionless ...
To comply with the Affordable Care Act's requirement of health insurance exchanges in each state, three options exist for states: a state-run program, a state and federal government partnership or a federally run program.
Creating exchanges
While
The intent behind the health insurance exchanges is to create one place where consumers can compare insurance plans in a meaningful way. It will also provide subsidies to help low-income adults purchase insurance. State documents estimate about 1.6 million
Currently, 16 states have already established health insurance exchanges, three plan for partnership exchanges, 16 continue to study options, nine have made no significant activity and seven have decided not to create state exchanges, according to the
By
While health insurance exchanges aren't required to exist until 2014, the November benchmark for states will help determine if
"Without exchange legislation that meets the requirements of the ACA already in place, there is an increased likelihood
The state has until
Deadline looms
Further indicative of lagging progress,
"Given the extent and nature of the questions that remain open, we have determined that at this time it would be imprudent for us to continue extensive planning efforts until we receive answers to these items,"
Recently, the insurance commissioner's office posted online a 45-page report on essential health benefits by
Waiting game
As the state has stalled on planning related to the health insurance exchanges, insurance companies wait for guidance to see how they should respond. Elena Kambitsi, Ph.D., vice president of product development, marketing and individual sales at
"Until they are known, we are working hard to model new plans for the exchange that are similar to the plans our customers are purchasing and are comfortable with today," Dr. Kambitsi said.
"I don't think we're going to see a lot of movement from the state related to the exchange until after the election," Ms. Mace said.
Contact the writer: [email protected], @rwardTT on Twitter
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