Idaho seeks federal aid for the building of an insurance exchange, yet legislators are leery of the program overall

Idaho officials have submitted an application to the federal government for financial aid on constructing a health insurance exchange in the state. Millions of dollars could be headed for the state if the application is approved. Much of the money will be used to plan and build exchange program, but any efforts will first need the approval of the state’s Legislature, which has been slow to warm to the overarching federal health care law. Idaho legislators have only approved of submitting the application for federal funds, thus far. Idaho has…

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Idaho health insurance exchange, Insurance Commissioner notes that it may cost insurance agents their jobs.

The debate on whether to pursue federally mandated health insurance exchanges continues in Idaho. The state has stood divided on the issue since Congress passed the Affordable Care Act back in 2010. Opponents of the health care overhaul say that the changes to health care are unconstitutional and have resisted efforts to establish an insurance exchange in the state. Many have gone so far as to reject monetary aid from the government for the initiative. Governor C.L. Otter, backed by several lawmakers, now says that time is growing short and…

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Federal regulators step in to take charge of Idaho’s review of insurance rates

A number of private insurance companies in Idaho have submitted rate increase proposals to the state’s Department of Insurance. Normally, the issues would be handled by state regulators, but the federal government will be stepping in to handle the investigation beginning in the fall. This move is inspired by an executive order from Governor C.L. Otter, which has banned the state from adhering to the overarching federal health care law. Otter’s order means that the state is unable to comply with federal regulations regarding insurance rates. Because the state cannot…

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Federal officials ready to debate health insurance rate increase of 10% or more

U.S. officials are getting ready to debate whether or not increases in the rates for health insurance of 10 percent or more were excessive within seven states which have rate review processes that have been labeled ineffective.  The rate review systems for Louisiana, Alabama, Montana, Arizona, Wyoming, Idaho, Missouri, as well as four territories have been deemed to be insufficient by the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO). The CCIIO is a branch of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.   According to the CCIIO, federal officials, under…

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Nebraska health insurance debate underway

Tuesday marked the beginning of debates in Nebraska regarding a bill that would ban private insurers from cover the cost of abortions unless customers purchased a separate policy. One of the provisions of the bill would limit insurance coverage of abortions that would have been covered from policies offered by insurance exchange programs. The bill was introduced by Senator Beau McCoy and lawmakers will be debating the proposal for some time. Though abortions would be permitted to preserve the life of the mother, no exceptions are made for instances of…

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