Maine officials have requested that HHS exempt the state from a federal reinsurance plan for high-risk health coverage in favor of its existing program, according to a report from the Portland Press Herald.
Beginning last July, Maine began charging a $4 monthly tax on 532,000 privately insured residents, amounting to a $25 million pool to use for high-risk individuals through a model state officials find effective. A federal program under the health law will require all states to charge $5.25 each month and will operate for only three years until other mechanisms in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act are expected to eliminate the need for such reinsurance plans.
Maine lawmakers requested an exemption from the program in a letter to HHS, which has not yet responded, according to the report.
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Beginning last July, Maine began charging a $4 monthly tax on 532,000 privately insured residents, amounting to a $25 million pool to use for high-risk individuals through a model state officials find effective. A federal program under the health law will require all states to charge $5.25 each month and will operate for only three years until other mechanisms in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act are expected to eliminate the need for such reinsurance plans.
Maine lawmakers requested an exemption from the program in a letter to HHS, which has not yet responded, according to the report.
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