Four health insurers applied to sell plans on Arkansas' health insurance exchange, which has gained notoriety after state lawmakers passed a unique Medicaid expansion law that pivots on commercial insurance bought through the exchange.
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, National Blue Cross Blue Shield Multi-State Plan, QualChoice of Arkansas and Celtic Insurance Co. of Chicago subsidiary NovaSys Health will sell plans beginning in October on the state's individual and small business exchanges, pending approval by the Arkansas Insurance Department. A state law passed this year requires the department to ensure residents in all counties have at least two health plan options.
Notably absent from the list of insurers announced by the insurance department is Centene, a St. Louis-based health insurer that told Kaiser Health News in April Arkansas' "premium support" model would be "a sweet spot" for the company.
Earlier this year, Arkansas received preliminary approval from HHS to craft Medicaid expansion legislation that would shift many newly eligible Medicaid enrollees onto the private insurance market with the help of government subsidies to purchase commercial health insurance. The concept has garnered the attention of other expansion-skeptical states, although HHS still must give final approval for Arkansas' legislation signed by the governor.
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Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, National Blue Cross Blue Shield Multi-State Plan, QualChoice of Arkansas and Celtic Insurance Co. of Chicago subsidiary NovaSys Health will sell plans beginning in October on the state's individual and small business exchanges, pending approval by the Arkansas Insurance Department. A state law passed this year requires the department to ensure residents in all counties have at least two health plan options.
Notably absent from the list of insurers announced by the insurance department is Centene, a St. Louis-based health insurer that told Kaiser Health News in April Arkansas' "premium support" model would be "a sweet spot" for the company.
Earlier this year, Arkansas received preliminary approval from HHS to craft Medicaid expansion legislation that would shift many newly eligible Medicaid enrollees onto the private insurance market with the help of government subsidies to purchase commercial health insurance. The concept has garnered the attention of other expansion-skeptical states, although HHS still must give final approval for Arkansas' legislation signed by the governor.
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