August 20, 2012

Health Care Exchanges Explained

Under the Affordable Care Act, each state is charged with setting a minimum level of coverage in order for a health plan to be sold on the exchange — a requirement called "essential health benefits." Insurers may also offer plans with more generous benefits for a higher price. Health plans will be ranked based the quality and generosity of benefits, from platinum to gold to silver or bronze.
The July 13 Hartford Courant has an interview with Kevin J. Counihan, the chief executive officer of Connecticut’s health exchange, in which he explains the role of the exchange and how it will communicate with the state and federal agencies that offer Medicaid and other state health-care plans.