ATLANTA – Georgia Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens
announced Thursday that he approved the premiums submitted by five health
insurers for inclusion in the state’s federally run insurance exchange, even
though he said they were too high.
He had sought an emergency extension on Wednesday’s deadline
from U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, but she
refused to grant it.
“Yesterday, after not receiving a response to my request for
a 30-day delay from the secretary of Health and Human Services, I was left with
no viable option but to accept the filings for the federally facilitated
Georgia exchange. Although not surprised, I am disappointed in the
unresponsiveness of the Obama administration,” said Hudgens, a Republican who
was elected on a platform opposing the federal health reform law known as
Obamacare.
The premiums and plans must be approved by both the state
and federal regulators. Sebelius has until September to give her approval.
At the 11th hour, Aetna announced that it and its newly
acquired subsidiary, Coventry Health Care, would not participate in Georgia’s
exchange.
“This is not a step that we take lightly,” said Aetna
spokesman Walter Cherniak. “We believe it is critical that our plans not only
be competitive, but also financially viable, allowing Aetna and Coventry to
meet the long-term needs of the exchanges in which we choose to participate.”
Both companies will continue to sell individual health
insurance outside of the exchanges and through their agents. However, people
with income low enough to qualify for taxpayer premium subsidies can only get
them if they purchase through an exchange.
The withdrawal means residents in some parts of the state
will have limited options in the exchange.
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