Minnesota fails to recruit more insurers for state exchange

An effort to enlist health insurers to Minnesota's state exchange lapsed, as state officials were not able to secure more health plans in time for 2017 open enrollment, the Star Tribune reports.

State regulators attempted to recruit insurers last month by requesting proposals from payers who wished to enter the state's exchange, MNsure. Officials asked interested insurers to propose a waiver to expand their coverage outside the state's seven-county metropolitan area.

The deadline for proposals was Sept. 9 and no proposals were filed. While two county-based Medicaid managed care groups were interested, they said the timeline would not work for them.

The Minnesota Department of Health said it "will continue those discussions and explore those opportunities, even though it is unlikely that coverage options could come together for the upcoming enrollment period," according to the report.

Minnesota insurers requested premium rate increases ranging from about 36 percent to over 66 percent on individual Affordable Care Act exchange plans next year. In addition, BCBS of Minnesota announced in June it would stop offering broad-reaching and flexible individual health plans, affecting about 103,000 individuals. 

More articles about payer issues:
Insurers' rules vary on required genetic counseling before breast cancer tests: 3 things to know
New Jersey co-op taken over by state, 6 co-ops remain
Third insurer exits Connecticut exchange after rate request dispute

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