Just six Illinois health insurers told the state they would offer plans on the online exchanges for individuals and small businesses to launch next year, much lower than the 16 carriers expected to join, according to a report by the Washington Post.
Participating plans will offer a combined 165 policies on the exchanges, almost 100 policies short of the 260 that were anticipated, raising concern that similar shortages may be seen in other states as they prepare for enrollment to begin in October according to CMS' timeline.
One suspected reason for the shortage of plans is fear among insurers the exchanges will immediately attract the sickest patients, while healthier consumers will enroll more slowly or accept the relatively small penalties for foregoing health insurance, according to the report.
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Participating plans will offer a combined 165 policies on the exchanges, almost 100 policies short of the 260 that were anticipated, raising concern that similar shortages may be seen in other states as they prepare for enrollment to begin in October according to CMS' timeline.
One suspected reason for the shortage of plans is fear among insurers the exchanges will immediately attract the sickest patients, while healthier consumers will enroll more slowly or accept the relatively small penalties for foregoing health insurance, according to the report.
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