CT Gets $107 Million Health Insurance Exchange Grant

The federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced that Connecticut and seven other states (California, Hawaii, Iowa, Maryland, Nevada, New York, and Vermont) have received “Level Two” planning grants to assist in the planning, development, and design of their health insurance exchanges. Connecticut’s grant totals $107,358,676. 

According to HHS commissioner Kathleen Sebelius, the exchanges are intended to provide consumers and small businesses access to high-quality, affordable health insurance via an online marketplace where customers can choose a private plan that fits their needs.

The state will use the money to hire consultants and new staff to work on the exchange’s creation and on-going operations.  It reportedly will use a substantial portion to develop an IT system to carry out various necessary functions, including eligibility determinations, enrollment,  and information sharing among employers, insurers, and governmental agencies.

The state has already received three HHS health insurance exchange grants, totaling approximately $10 million.