Colorado, Oregon and Washington are among the first six states to get preliminary approval from the Obama Administration to operate a health insurance exchange.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services announced the decision on Monday. The other states were: Maryland, Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Oregon’s insurance exchange is being marketed as Cover Oregon. The federal health care overhaul required all 50 states to have an exchange where small businesses and uninsured individuals can shop for health coverage and access federal subsidies.
Federal officials say Oregon’s application was given conditional approval because the state hasn’t completed all required actions but will be ready to operate by October.
Washington state has received conditional approval by the federal government to move forward with a state-based health insurance exchange starting Oct. 1, 2013.
Washington Healthplanfinder will be the online portal for people to compare and enroll in health insurance coverage. Washington Healthplanfinder will begin enrolling consumers on Oct. 1, 2013, for health insurance coverage beginning on Jan. 1, 2014.
Gov. Chris Gregoire says 200,000 uninsured Washingtonians will be able to receive insurance through the exchange.
Topics Washington Oregon Colorado
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