LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - The issue of health care still remains up in the air in Nebraska with just over a month before health insurers have to declare their intentions for selling policies in 2018.
The U.S. House passed the American Health Care Act last week, which has some differences from the Affordable Care Act that some insurers haven’t found favorable. The law could also dramatically change the way marketplace exchanges work, the Lincoln Journal Star (https://bit.ly/2qZAFIC ) reported.
No company has yet submitted forms or rates to the Nebraska Department Insurance despite the June 15 due date. But agency director Bruce Ramge said the deadline doesn’t obligate companies to sell policies in the state.
“Even if companies submit forms and rates by that deadline, they are not locked into selling on the exchange until they sign a contract with the federal government in September,” Ramge said.
He added that if no companies participate in the exchange next year, it could mean that people who qualify for tax credits don’t get them, although they would still have to find insurance to fulfill the individual mandate should it still be in effect.
Medica, one of two companies currently selling individual health insurance that complies with the Affordable Care Act, said it intends to remain in the market next year.
The second company, Aetna, has so far declined to provide a decision about its plans for Nebraska.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska and UnitedHealthcare both dropped out this year. Blue Cross announced its decision in September, saying it might consider re-entering the ACA market in the future, but said this week it has not decided on 2018.
The AHCA still needs approval from the Senate.
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Information from: Lincoln Journal Star, https://www.journalstar.com
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