Iowa may have lowest health insurance rates in the US

Iowa stopgap health insurance plan

State releases data concerning health insurance exchange The Iowa Insurance Division recently released data concerning the state’s health insurance exchange, suggesting that the state may be home to some of the lowest insurance premiums in the country. Iowa already boasts of relatively low premiums when compared to its neighbor states, but insurance regulators believe that the state’s exchange could offer even lower rates to many people. As in other states throughout the country, the Iowa health insurance exchange is set to begin open enrollment on October 1, giving thousands a…

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Health insurance plans will be offered by six insurers in Iowa

Iowa stopgap health insurance plan

Half a dozen providers have already applied to be able to offer their plans on the state’s exchange. Although six health insurance companies have already applied to be able to sell their policies on the Iowa exchange, having made their submissions to do so by the deadline last Sunday. However, the largest insurer in the state was not among those who opted to participate in the marketplace. The largest health insurance company in Iowa, Wellmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield, currently has about 2 million policyholders in that state and South Dakota.…

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Health insurance deadline missed by Iowa

flood Insurance payments time

Key date was not met by the state in order to comply with the new federal healthcare law. A key deadline for the states to meet in order to comply with the new federal healthcare laws has come and gone and Iowa’s commissioner has now issued a letter explaining that they will not be able to meet this health insurance exchange planning date. Governor Terry Branstad’s insurance commissioner has confirmed the deadline has been missed. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act gave the states until September 30 in order…

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Iowa lawmakers claim that the state’s high risk insurance pool is a colossal failure

Iowa legislators met in the Senate on Monday to discuss the state’s federally-funded high risk insurance pool. Lawmakers were given copies of an editorial from the Des Moines Register during the meeting which outlined the program’s failure to enroll HIV-positive residents. The meeting quickly grew heated as lawmakers questioned members of the state’s Insurance Division over the matter. The insurance pool’s executive director, Cecil Bykerk, was also in attendance at the meeting and was subjected to questioning as well. Senator Matt McCoy, D-Des Moines, had strong criticism for the insurance…

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Veridian Credit Union of Iowa implements new health insurance program that aims to make employees healthier

The rising cost of health care is beginning to put a great deal of strain on U.S. employers. Along with the soaring costs of health care, insurance is also rising, compounding the financial troubles faced by employers. Veridian Credit Union in Iowa is taking an aggressive stance of the health of its employees by introducing a new wellness program that is designed to keep the company’s health costs down. The program comes with coverage for voluntary screenings but also includes a steep penalty for those continuing unhealthy habits. The credit…

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