CMS Administrator Seema Verma sent a letter to Mr. Otter and state insurance commissioner Dean Cameron March 8 expressing support for the alternative low-cost plans, but confirming they were illegal due to their non-compliance with ACA requirements. However, Mr. Otter said he did not consider this letter a flat-out rejection of the state’s initiative.
“Contrary to news media interpretations, the letter from [Ms.] Verma was not a rejection of our approach to providing more affordable health insurance options for the people of Idaho,” Mr. Otter said in a statement. “In fact, we consider the letter an invitation from CMS to continue discussing the specifics of what can and cannot be included in state-based plans. We will consider all possible options and then continue discussions with CMS and HHS on how best to achieve our shared goals of reducing the costs of coverage and stabilizing our health insurance market.”
Idaho’s plan would allow insurers to screen customers based on pre-existing conditions and sell coverage that does not meet all of ACA’s benefit requirements.
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