Nebraska Asks for Federal Guidance on Health Insurance Exchange Options

Nebraska insurance analysts have said they need more federal guidance before they can recommend a health exchange option to the state, according to a Bloomberg Businessweek report.

Under healthcare reform, states must set up health insurance exchanges by Jan. 1, 2014, or invite the federal government to step in and set up the exchanges for them. The exchanges are meant to serve as a transparent "marketplace" for individuals and small businesses to buy health insurance coverage.

Nebraska officials must decide whether Nebraska will join the federal exchange, participate in a regional exchange with other states or launch an exchange of its own. According to the report, a regional exchange is unlikely because each state has different regulations and needs that one exchange could not necessarily meet.

The officials are still determining whether a Nebraska-run program would carry over to other states, as well as which option is the most cost-effective and how many residents would qualify for the exchange based on income. According to the report, the officials still have not learned the exact details of the federally offered health insurance exchange.

Read the Bloomberg Businessweek report on Nebraska health insurance exchange.

Related Articles on Coding, Billing and Collections:
ICD-10 Industry Progress Survey Opens
AMA Updates CPT Category II Code List
Massachusetts' Largest Health Insurers Post Strong Quarterly Earnings

© Copyright ASC COMMUNICATIONS 2012. Interested in LINKING to or REPRINTING this content? View our policies by clicking here.