Another eight states have now received the all clear in the form of a conditional federal approval. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has just announced that an additional eight states have now received their conditional approval for their state based health insurance exchanges, bringing the total number in the country up to 20. These approvals have been coming through since last week and allow those states…

Illinois announces plans for health insurance co-op As the Affordable Care Act inches closer to becoming fully enacted in 2014, states are making moves on the health insurance exchanges that the law requires them to host. These health insurance exchange systems are meant to be online marketplaces where consumers can find affordable health insurance policies. Several states have chosen not to build or operate their own insurance exchange but others,…

Sebelius announces 18 states are pursuing health insurance exchanges Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has announced that 18 states are planning to develop and operate their own health insurance exchanges. All states were required to submit their formal plans for an exchange program by December 14. According to Sebelius, the number of states that are building their own health insurance exchanges aligns with the predictions of…

State-run health insurance exchange has no future in Florida The Florida Senate has launched a new website concerning the Affordable Care Act and the state’s ongoing opposition to the federal law. The website reiterates the state’s stance on a health insurance exchange, noting that the state will not actually build or operate an exchange in any way. Florida is one of several states that has chosen not to run its…

The healthcare overhaul may include a new expense that could reach the wallets of consumers. The overhaul of the health insurance system may now involve a new $63 per person fee that is designed to help to pad the cost of providing coverage to individuals who have a pre-existing medical condition. This additional charge was worked into a recent regulation that was created for the system. According to employers, who…

Insurance Commissioners worried that late issuance of regulations could harm implementation of Affordable Care Act After years of criticism for not providing enough guidance in regards to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has begun issuing rules concerning the law at a rapid pace. These rules may help some states comply with the federal law in a more comprehensive manner, but…

Connecticut aims to have exchange operational ahead of deadline Connecticut is one of the few states in the U.S. that has made significant progress in establishing its own health insurance exchange. The state is keen to operate the exchange itself in the hopes of providing service to residents that is suited to the needs of the market. Though the state has made major progress over the past two years to…

The Obama administration has announced that insurers will be charged to sell from the online marketplaces. On Friday, the Obama administration announced that health insurance companies will now need to pay in order to participate in the online exchanges so that they can sell their plans to the millions of American individuals, families, and small businesses who will be using the marketplace. The “user fees” are designed to help to…