red states rule
09-25-2010, 06:04 AM
Another result of Obamacare folks. Get ready to see more of this as we go along
This in adition to the coming rate increases
Are you lovin' all this hope and change?
The rollout of federal health reform hit a few bumps in Minnesota on Thursday.
Bloomington-based HealthPartners said it was temporarily suspending sales of individual health insurance policies because of uncertainty created by the new federal law. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota said it was taking similar steps.
But officials with the Medica and PreferredOne health plans said they still were selling policies in the individual market, where about 1 in 20 Minnesotans obtain health insurance coverage.
Congress passed health reform six months ago; as of Thursday, new health insurance policies had to comply with key provisions of the legislation. In Minnesota, that's meant changes to health plan policies that regulators at the Minnesota Department of Commerce must approve before companies can sell them to new customers.
The state hasn't signed off on some changes sought by HealthPartners, said Amy Von Walter, a company spokeswoman. "Due to continuing changes caused by health care reform, we temporarily have no long-term individual medical plans for sale," the insurance company says in a notice on its website. "We are currently working with regulators to get affordable products approved to sell as quickly as possible."
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota also awaits final approval before resuming sales of its health plans for individuals, said Pam Lux, a spokeswoman for the Eagan-based insurer.
"Every single specific piece of contract language and benefit design hasn't been approved yet," Lux said. "We expect it will be soon, but until then, we have to hold back on writing contracts."
Current customers at both plans are not affected by the disruption. It also does not affect people covered through group health insurance plans - the majority of Minnesotans.
http://www.twincities.com/business/ci_16155942?nclick_check=1
This in adition to the coming rate increases
Are you lovin' all this hope and change?
The rollout of federal health reform hit a few bumps in Minnesota on Thursday.
Bloomington-based HealthPartners said it was temporarily suspending sales of individual health insurance policies because of uncertainty created by the new federal law. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota said it was taking similar steps.
But officials with the Medica and PreferredOne health plans said they still were selling policies in the individual market, where about 1 in 20 Minnesotans obtain health insurance coverage.
Congress passed health reform six months ago; as of Thursday, new health insurance policies had to comply with key provisions of the legislation. In Minnesota, that's meant changes to health plan policies that regulators at the Minnesota Department of Commerce must approve before companies can sell them to new customers.
The state hasn't signed off on some changes sought by HealthPartners, said Amy Von Walter, a company spokeswoman. "Due to continuing changes caused by health care reform, we temporarily have no long-term individual medical plans for sale," the insurance company says in a notice on its website. "We are currently working with regulators to get affordable products approved to sell as quickly as possible."
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota also awaits final approval before resuming sales of its health plans for individuals, said Pam Lux, a spokeswoman for the Eagan-based insurer.
"Every single specific piece of contract language and benefit design hasn't been approved yet," Lux said. "We expect it will be soon, but until then, we have to hold back on writing contracts."
Current customers at both plans are not affected by the disruption. It also does not affect people covered through group health insurance plans - the majority of Minnesotans.
http://www.twincities.com/business/ci_16155942?nclick_check=1