Montana residents save $1.5 million by shopping around for health insurance policies

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HHS report shows that consumers are saving money by shopping around for coverage Many residents of Montana have saved money by shopping around for health insurance coverage, according to a new report from the Department of Health and Human Services. The federal agency recently urged consumers throughout the country to shop around for coverage. The agency suggested that many consumers may be paying too much for their insurance coverage, largely because they are unwilling to shop around and consider new options. In Montana, many consumers took this urging to heart,…

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Health insurance rates set to rise in Montana

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Insurance premiums for Montana residents expected to rise as much as 34% for 2016 coverage Montana residents can expect to see their health insurance premiums rise in 2016. Insurance Commissioner Monica Lindeen has announced that rates will increase between 22% and 34% in 2016, affecting as many as 41,000 people living in the state. The rate increases will not affect those that receive employer-sponsored health insurance coverage or those that receive coverage through HealthCare.gov and receive federal subsidies for these policies. Those in the private market, however, may experiencing a…

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Montana is working to expand its health insurance program

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Montana opens public comment period for Medicaid expansion Federal officials are taking public comment in Montana concerning the expansion of Medicaid coverage. The state is currently working on expanding Medicaid coverage to some 70,000 low-income residents. The comment period is set to run through October 15, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Expanding the state’s health insurance program has been a hard battle, as state lawmakers have resisted expanding the program due such an action’s association with the Affordable Care Act. State has already outlined plans to…

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Montana insurance market will be losing Assurant

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The health insurer has now announced its intentions to step out of the state and will be notifying its customers. The Montana insurance marketplace will soon have one fewer company to include among those selling health plans, as Assurant has filed its notice to leave the state and will soon be sending its policyholders their notifications, as well. The Wisconsin-based health insurance company is seeking to step out of this type of offering. Assurant Health has said that it will be leaving the 7,283 customers that it serves in the…

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Native Americans may lack access to health insurance in Montana

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Report highlights the disparity in insurance access among Native communities A new report from the Alliance for a Just Society, Indian People’s Action, and the Montana Organizing Project suggests that Native Americans may not have as much access to Montana’s health insurance exchange as they should. Approximately 6.5% of Montana’s population is comprised of Native Americans, with an estimated 1.7% of enrollees in the state’s health insurance exchange falling into this demographic. The report highlights barriers that exist in the state that may be preventing Native Americans from receiving medical…

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