States continue to move forward, build Affordable Insurance Exchanges
Today, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced that California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Maryland, Nevada, New York, and Vermont have received new grants to help support the establishment of Affordable Insurance Exchanges. Starting in 2014, consumers and small businesses will have access to high-quality, affordable health insurance through an Exchange – a one-stop marketplace where consumers can choose a private health insurance plan that fits their health needs and have the same kinds of insurance choices as members of Congress.
“We continue to support states as they move forward building an Exchange that works for them,” Secretary Sebelius said. “Thanks to the health care law, Americans will have more health insurance choices and the ability to compare insurance plans.”
In every state, Exchanges will allow consumers to shop for and enroll in private health plans that meet their needs. Consumers will be able to learn if they are eligible for tax credits and cost-sharing reductions, or other health care programs like the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Small employers will be eligible to receive tax credits for coverage purchased for employees through the Exchange. These competitive marketplaces make purchasing health insurance easier and more understandable and offer consumers and small businesses increased competition and choice.
Today’s awards will give states additional resources and flexibility to establish an Exchange. California, Hawaii, Iowa, and New York today have been awarded Level One Exchange Establishment grants, which provide one year of funding to states that have begun the process of building their Exchange. Connecticut, Maryland, Nevada, and Vermont were awarded Level Two Establishment grants, which are provided to states that are further along in building their Exchange and offers funding over multiple years.
Previously, 49 states, the District of Columbia and four territories received grants to begin planning their Exchanges. With today’s awardees, 34 states and the District of Columbia have also received Establishment grants to begin building their Exchanges.
On June 29, HHS announced a funding opportunity providing states with 10 additional opportunities to apply for funding to establish a state-based Exchange, state Partnership Exchange, or prepare state systems for a Federally-facilitated Exchange. States can apply for Exchange grants through the end of 2014, and may use funds during the initial start-up year. This schedule ensures that states have the support and time necessary to build an Exchange that best fits the needs of their residents.
A detailed breakdown of each grant award and what each state plans to do with its Exchange funding is available through the map tool on Healthcare.gov, http://www.healthcare.gov/news/factsheets/2011/05/exchanges05232011a.html.
For more information on Exchanges, including fact sheets, visit http://www.healthcare.gov/exchanges.
Creating a New Competitive Marketplace: Affordable Insurance Exchanges
In 2014, individuals and employees of small businesses will have access to affordable coverage through a new competitive private health insurance market – State-based Affordable Insurance Exchanges. Affordable Insurance Exchanges will provide individuals and small businesses with a “one-stop shop” to find and compare affordable, quality private health insurance options. Exchanges will bring new transparency to the market so that Americans will be able to compare plans based on price and quality. By increasing competition between insurance companies and allowing individuals and small businesses to band together to purchase insurance, Exchanges will help lower costs.
States across the country have received grants to establish an Affordable Insurance Exchange. Use the map below to learn more about Exchange Establishment grants in your state:
States may initially apply for either level one or level two establishment grants, based on their progress. State can also choose when during this year to apply for grant funding based on their needs and planned expenditures. States will have multiple opportunities to apply for funding in the years ahead, including opportunities to apply for multiple level one grants as the planning process develops. As indicated in a November 29, 2011 Question and Answer document, CMS intends to award Exchange Establishment grants through 2014. This process gives States maximum flexibility and ensures that States can move forward on their own timetables as they work to build an Exchange.
Each State’s insurance market is unique, and each State will require different levels of support as it creates an Exchange. Each State’s grant awards were made following a thorough examination of funding requested by the State, and an analysis of what would be a reasonable funding amount from the federal government:
Last updated: August 23, 2012
States across the country have received grants to establish an Affordable Insurance Exchange. Use the map below to learn more about Exchange Establishment grants in your state:
Affordable Insurance Exchange Grants
The Exchange Establishment grants recognize that States are making progress toward establishing Exchanges but are doing so at different paces. States can choose when to apply for grant funding based on their needs and planned expenditures. States that are moving ahead on a faster pace can apply for multi-year funding, known as level two establishment grants. States that are making progress in establishing Exchanges through a step-by-step approach can apply for funding for each project year, known as level one establishment grants.States may initially apply for either level one or level two establishment grants, based on their progress. State can also choose when during this year to apply for grant funding based on their needs and planned expenditures. States will have multiple opportunities to apply for funding in the years ahead, including opportunities to apply for multiple level one grants as the planning process develops. As indicated in a November 29, 2011 Question and Answer document, CMS intends to award Exchange Establishment grants through 2014. This process gives States maximum flexibility and ensures that States can move forward on their own timetables as they work to build an Exchange.
Each State’s insurance market is unique, and each State will require different levels of support as it creates an Exchange. Each State’s grant awards were made following a thorough examination of funding requested by the State, and an analysis of what would be a reasonable funding amount from the federal government:
- Forty-nine States and the District of Columbia received up to $1 million in Exchange Planning Grants. Four territories received similar grants on March 21, 2011. States receiving these funds have used them to conduct studies on the feasibility of Exchanges, and conduct community forums to hear directly from residents on how Exchanges should be established.
- Six states and a multi-state consortium led by the University of Massachusetts Medical School received over $241 million in Early Innovator grants to develop model Exchange IT systems. Early Innovator states have committed to assuring that the technology they develop is reusable and transferable to other States. Using the grants, they will develop the building blocks for Exchange IT systems, providing models for how Exchange IT systems can be created.
Last updated: August 23, 2012
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