health exchanges

Despite the political uncertainties, insurance companies have started to learn how to make a profit on the plans they offer through the Affordable Care Act.

Analysts Predict Health Care Marketplace Premiums Will Stabilize In 2019

5:06am September 03, 2018

by Alison Kodjak

In signs the health care market may be maturing, an analysis of insurance filings shows premiums will rise less than 4 percent on average and companies plan to market more policies in more places.

Queue Listen Now

Minnesota's ACA insurance exchange, MNsure, is spending state money this year to hire health care navigators who reach out to consumers to answer questions and help them find the right health plan.

Need Help Picking An ACA Health Plan? Some States Are Reaching Out

5:34am November 01, 2017

by Mark Zdechlik

States aren't getting nearly as much federal money this year to explain and campaign for Affordable Care Act policies. Some are trying to make up the shortfall; others lack the cash or political will.

Open enrollment for individual coverage under the Affordable Care for 2017 ends Tuesday.

Trump Administration Cancels Ads Encouraging Obamacare Sign-Ups

4:04pm January 27, 2017

by Rob Stein

With the end of open enrollment just days away, the Trump administration pulled the plug on advertisements and outreach to encourage people to buy health insurance.

If you need to buy health insurance, don't procrastinate.

Sign Up For Health Coverage If You Need It, Despite GOP Repeal Plans

5:15pm December 13, 2016

by Michelle Andrews

Republicans' plans to overhaul the federal health law aren't expected to take effect immediately, so consumers can still sign up for 2017 coverage — and should, if they need insurance.

Major changes to individual health coverage provided through the Obamacare marketplaces won't happen overnight.

Worrying About Your Exchange Coverage? Obamacare Repeal Would Take A While

2:27pm November 11, 2016

by Michelle Andrews

Republican efforts to get rid of the Affordable Care Act are expected to take time to work through Congress. There are also indications the new administration would give consumers time to adjust.

Alina Nurieva (right) sat with Gabriela Cisneros, an insurance agent from Sunshine Life and Health Advisors, and picked an insurance plan at the Mall of the Americas in Miami last November.

Where Insurers' Exits Are Hurting Obamacare Exchanges — And Where They Aren't

5:13pm August 18, 2016

by Phil Galewitz

Competition on some exchanges will be diminished next year when three of the nation's largest health insurers drop out. Still, most marketplace consumers won't see any ill effects from the moves.

Mark Bertolini, CEO of Aetna, told the Justice Department in July that the insurer would walk away from many health exchanges if the government opposed the company's proposed deal for Humana. On Tuesday, Aetna followed through.

Aetna CEO To Justice Department: Block Our Deal And We'll Drop Out Of Obamacare

3:51pm August 17, 2016

by Scott Hensley

A July letter from Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini to the Justice Department said the company would pull back from health insurance exchanges if the government opposed the company's merger with Humana.

Aetna Joins Other Major Insurers In Pulling Back From Obamacare

6:37pm August 16, 2016

by Alison Kodjak

The exit of insurers from exchanges created by the Affordable Care Act represents a fresh challenge to the viability of the president's signature health care law.

Queue Listen Now

At Blue Cross and Blue Shield headquarters in Eagan, Minn., the losses on the sale of insurance plans to individuals led to a change in course.

Minnesota's Largest Health Insurer Will Drop Individual Plans

5:54pm June 24, 2016

by Mark Zdechlik

More than 100,000 Minnesotans will need to look for new insurance for 2017. Blue Cross Blue Shield is pulling back from the state's market for individual policies, citing heavy losses.

When deductibles and copays are high, quite a few people with insurance turn to free clinics for care.

For The Insured But Cash-Strapped, Free Health Clinics Still Have A Place

5:57pm April 19, 2016

by Michelle Andrews

Although many people thought the federal health law would reduce the need for free clinics, low-income people with high deductibles and copays still frequent the clinics for routine care.