Tag Archives: health insurance exchanges

Nebraska Bill Would Require Governor to Use Exchange

The Governor of Nebraska, Dave Heineman, decided that Nebraska would opt for a federally run health insurance exchange. Senator Jeremy Nordquist has introduced a bill that would require the governor, and other lawmakers, to use that exchange to acquire health insurance coverage. Part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, (which is also known as the Affordable Care Act or Obamacare), requires every state to have a health insurance exchange. The purpose of the exchanges is to enable individuals and small businesses to easily find affordable health insurance. There were three different options that a state could choose for … Continue reading →

Seven More States Gain Approval for Exchanges

California was not the only state to gain approval for its health insurance exchange today. There were seven other states who also got their exchanges approved by the federal government. This brings the total up to 20! The Affordable Care Act is great big health reform law that has many parts. One requirement is that all states will have a health insurance exchange that is functional and accessible by January 1, 2014. Although the Affordable Care Act was signed in 2010, it is only recently that some states have completed the appropriate work involved to have their exchanges approved by … Continue reading →

California Health Insurance Exchange Gains Approval

The Department of Health and Human Services has approved of the state of California’s health insurance exchange. California will have a state-based exchange. This brings the grand total of approved exchanges to 13! The Affordable Care Act requires every state (and the District of Columbia) to have a functioning health insurance exchange. The exchanges are expected to be ready by no later than January 1, 2014. Individuals and small businesses can use the exchanges in order to find affordable health insurance coverage. There were three options that each state could choose from for their health insurance exchange. One option was … Continue reading →

Minnesota, Delaware, and Rhode Island Gain Approval

The Department of Health and Human Services has granted conditional approval to three more health insurance exchanges. Those states are Rhode Island, Minnesota, and Delaware. This brings the grand total of health insurance exchanges that have been approved to 12. As you may be aware of by now, the Affordable Care Act requires every state to have a functioning health insurance exchange by January 1, 2014. Individuals and small businesses will use the exchanges in order to find affordable health insurance coverage. There were three options that a state could choose for its health insurance exchange. One option is a … Continue reading →

What Does “Single Payer” Mean?

There has been talk about a “single payer” system for health insurance. What does that actually mean? How does that relate to the Affordable Care Act? Here are some facts that answer these questions. What does “single payer” actually mean? According to the Physicians for a National Health Program, (PNHP), the phrase single payer means: Single-payer is a term used to describe a type of financing system. It refers to one entity acting as an administrator, or “payer”. In the case of health care, a single-payer system would be setup such that one entity – a government run organization – … Continue reading →

Pennsylvania Will have a Federal Insurance Exchange

The Governor of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, has announced that Pennsylvania will have a health insurance exchange that is run by the federal government. Republican Party of Pennsylvania Chairman Rob Gleason has released a statement that applauds the governor’s decision. The Affordable Care Act requires all states to have a health insurance exchange. There were three options about how that exchange would be run. One option was to have a state-based health insurance exchange. The deadline for that option has now passed. Another option is to have an exchange that is run as a partnership between the state and the federal … Continue reading →

Iowa Will Have a State-Federal Partnership Exchange

Part of the Affordable Care Act requires that all states have a health insurance exchange. The deadline for states that wanted to have a state-based exchange has passed. The Governor of Iowa, Terry Branstad, has declared that Iowa will pursue a state-federal partnership health insurance exchange. Every state is required to have a health insurance exchange. In 2014, individuals and small businesses will use the exchange to find affordable health insurance. There were three potential options for the way that a state’s health insurance exchange could be. One option was to create a state-based exchange. The deadline for that option … Continue reading →

Idaho Chooses a State-Based Insurance Exchange

Yet another state has selected to have a state-based health insurance exchange. Surprisingly, the state is Idaho, which has a Republican governor and was among the states that sued to overturn the Affordable Care Act. Idaho’s plans for the state-based exchange have yet to be approved. The relationship between the Affordable Care Act and the state of Idaho has been contentious. Idaho was among the 26 states that were plaintiffs in the case heard by the Supreme Court in March of 2012 regarding the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act. The governor of Idaho is Butch Otter. He is a … Continue reading →

Three More Health Insurance Exchanges Get Approval

One of the requirements of the Affordable Care Act involves the creation of health insurance exchanges. Recently, the Obama Administration gave conditional approval to the state-based health insurance exchanges of six states. Now, two more, and the District of Colombia, have gained approval. This brings the current total to nine. When it comes to health insurance exchanges, there are three options that a state can choose from. They can create a state-based exchange. They can work on a partnership between their state and the federal government. Or, a state can choose to have the federal government create and run their … Continue reading →

Utah’s Avenue H and the Affordable Care Act

Governor Gary Herbert wants the Obama administration to approve Avenue H, Utah’s version of a health insurance exchange. While it fits some of the requirements of the Affordable Care Act, Avenue H does not meet all of the standards for state-based exchanges. The Governor is intending to go forward with Avenue H even if it is not approved. The Affordable Care Act requires all states to have a health insurance exchange. There are three options. One option is to run a state-based exchange. Another option is to have an exchange that is a partnership between a state government and the … Continue reading →