Tag Archives: health insurance exchanges

Six States have Insurance Exchanges Approved

A total of thirteen states (and the District of Columbia), have been working on creating a state-based health insurance exchange. This week, the Obama Administration gave conditional approval to the exchanges of six states. This is excellent news for the uninsured people living in those states. Part of the Affordable Care Act requires each and every state (and the District of Columbia) to have a health insurance exchange. The exchanges will be used by individuals and small businesses who are uninsured or who are seeking a more affordable health insurance plan. The exchanges will make it clear if a person … Continue reading →

Florida Health Choices and the Affordable Care Act

Florida has been working on a health insurance marketplace called Florida Health Choices. It does not comply with the requirements set in place for insurance exchanges by the Affordable Care Act. What does this mean for the Florida program? According to the Kaiser Family Foundation Health Reform Source, Florida started working on an initiative called Florida Health Choices in 2008. When completed, it will be a web portal that individuals, and small businesses, can use to find health insurance coverage in Florida. Florida started beta testing the web portal in September of 2012. Florida Health Choices has some similarities to … Continue reading →

Governor Christie Vetoes Exchange Bill – Again

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie announced that he has vetoed a bill that would have created a health insurance exchange for New Jersey. This is not the first time he has vetoed a bill like this one. Jon Stewart had an interesting comment about this when Governor Christie was on The Daily Show. First, a little history. In May of 2012, Governor Chris Christie, of New Jersey, vetoed a bill that would have allowed New Jersey to create an online marketplace for residents of the state, (and small businesses), to buy health insurance. That veto happened before the Supreme Court … Continue reading →

Bronze, Gold, Silver, and Platinum Plans

What’s the difference between the health plans that will be offered through the health insurance exchanges? One way to tell is by their “metallic” designation. The value of the plan depends on the metal (just like in the Olympics). The health insurance exchanges are coming soon. Your state might have a state-based exchange, a partnership exchange between the federal government and your state, or a federally run exchange. Certain things will be the same at all exchanges, no matter which way your state selected to go. Every exchange will offer plans that are bronze, silver, gold, and platinum. Each plan … Continue reading →