health insurance exchange

Senate begins debate on the interstate sales of health insurance

Bob Beck — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 00:14:20 +0000

The State Senate has given initial approval to a bill that will allow out-of-state health insurance companies to offer policies in Wyoming. The goal of the legislation is to encourage competition and possibly lower health insurance costs.

Wyoming consumers have limited health insurance choices and supporters hope the bill will fix this. However, Senator Bill Landen of Casper says he is worried that the legislation could harm Wyoming insurers, by bringing in unwanted competition.

A Legislative Committee will re-visit the topic of Health Insurance Exchanges

Bob Beck — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 17:33:54 +0000

The Legislature’s Joint Health and Labor Committee will once again take up the issue of Health Insurance Exchanges this week. An exchange is an on-line marketplace where consumers can purchase health insurance.

Under the Affordable Care Act, states have to either set up their own exchanges or the federal government will set one up for them. Senator Dan Dockstader is among those preparing exchange legislation for the state, but he says Wyoming needs a partner if the state is to be part of a non-federal marketplace.

Federal health official touts health insurance exchange concept

Bob Beck — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 22:17:36 +0000

A federal health official has high hopes that a health insurance exchange will help people get affordable health care insurance, even in Wyoming. An exchange is an on-line marketplace where people can compare policies and costs.

Mike Fierberg with the U-S Department of Health’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services notes that many worried that a similar effort, known as the Medicare Part D prescription drug program would suffer from a lack of competition. He says that certainly has not been the case.

Health Insurance exchange to be discussed

Bob Beck — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 21:55:10 +0000

A Wyoming Business Organization is hosting a forum next week about a state Health Insurance Exchange. A health insurance exchange is an on-line marketplace where people can more easily purchase and compare health insurance coverage. Anne Ladd of the Wyoming Business Coalition on Health says her organization favors a health insurance exchange because it addresses rising costs for employers. Ladd says the concept allows budgeting.