Insurer fills last hole in health law marketplaces for 2018
The most recent national analysis by the
Earlier this year, well over 40 mostly rural counties faced the prospect of having no options for their exchanges, but insurers have gradually come forward to fill the gaps.
Insurers began pulling back from the exchanges after getting stung by heavy losses and struggling to attract enough young, healthy customers to balance all the claims they get from people who use their coverage. Many also cited uncertainty over the future of President
Rural counties have been particularly uninviting for insurance companies because they usually have a smaller, older customer base and a care provider like a hospital system with a dominant market position. That can make it difficult to negotiate payment rates.
Health care consultant
"Good, long-term relationships with the insurance commissioner are very important to an insurance company," Laszewski said.
Some insurers also have figured out they can make money on exchanges by targeting low-income customers, who receive big tax credits to help cover their insurance bills that can both insulate consumers and provide steady revenue to insurers.
In
Republican Gov.
While insurers now have made preliminary plans to sell coverage on the exchanges in every
They are worried about the fate of billions of dollars in payments from the government to cover cost-sharing reductions for customers with modest incomes.
These payments reimburse insurers for lowering deductibles and other out-of-pocket expenses for customers. They are separate from the income-based tax credits that help people buy coverage.
The federal government announced last week that it will make these payments for this month, but their future is unclear. President
CareSource President and CEO
"The Marketplace provides vital health care coverage to more than 10.3 million Americans and we want to be a resource for consumers left without options," she said in a statement. "Our decision to offer coverage in the bare counties speaks to our mission and commitment to the Marketplace and serving those who are in need of health care coverage."
"There is a lot of uncertainty facing consumers when it comes to health insurance and these announcements will provide important relief," she said.
AP Health Writer
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