State-run insurance exchanges seeing momentum

As states begin looking at options to run their own online insurance exchange programs, many who have implemented a customer portal to acquire policies have seen success so far. 

In Maryland, more than 1,700 state residents opted into the state’s health insurance plan that began open enrollment Oct. 1, according to the Baltimore Sun. Between Oct. 1 and Oct. 9, the program saw a 36 percent increase in policy holders, with 55 percent of participants primarily women, according to data released from Maryland Health Connection. 

Maryland’s health plans are tiered in ‘bronze,’ ‘silver,’ ‘gold,’ and ‘platinum’ plans with about two-thirds opting into ‘bronze’ and ‘silver’ plans that are slated to cover 60 and 70 percent of costs for consumers. 

Similarly, Connecticut is looking to provide its citizens with state-run insurance options that would make affordable health policies more available to residents, reported the News Observer. 

U.S. Rep. Jim Himes (D-Bridgeport) hosted a meeting in Stamford that offered his constituents an opportunity to learn about and provide feedback on the state’s insurance exchange proposals. 

According to federal health authorities, more than 106,000 Americans had enrolled in the federal Affordable Care Act in October, the first month of open exchanges.