2 Insurers Commit To CT's Health Exchange For 2018: Gov. Malloy

Anthem and ConnectiCare Benefits, Inc. have committed to participate in Connecticut’s health insurance exchange, called Access Health CT, for 2018, announced Gov. Dannel Malloy and Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman Wednesday.

Approximately 100,000 Connecticut residents purchase coverage through Access Health CT, which will begin open enrollment for 2018 on November 1.

"With President Trump and Republicans in Congress attempting to sabotage the American healthcare system, we are incredibly pleased that Anthem and ConnectiCare will be offering health insurance plans in 2018 through Access Health CT," said Malloy in a statement. "We appreciate their commitment to the tens of thousands of Connecticut residents who buy coverage though Access Health. I am grateful for the leadership of Lt. Governor Wyman, Commissioner Wade, and Access Health CT CEO Jim Wadleigh for their work to improve the stability of Connecticut’s insurance marketplace."

Added Wyman, who serves as Chair of the Board for Access Health CT, "This is good news for Connecticut consumers and our health insurance marketplace. I applaud Anthem and ConnectiCare for remaining carriers and thank them for their commitment to the health and well-being of our residents. Access Health CT and exchanges like it throughout the U.S. provide a lifeline for millions who would otherwise not be able to afford health insurance. We must continue work on the reforms to drive down healthcare costs and make coverage more accessible."

From Malloy and Wyman's release:

Uncertainty in Washington over the future of critical federal funding of cost-sharing reduction payments, which provide financial assistance for consumers for out-of-pocket costs, is among the factors that has created instability in insurance markets across the nation. Connecticut officials have worked to address those challenges through the state’s rate-making process.

“The Connecticut Insurance Department understood the need to make a final decision on rates to allow open enrollment to begin on time,” said Insurance Commissioner Katharine L. Wade. “We have done that, giving carriers the final piece of information they needed to make a decision about continued participation. This gives our consumers and the exchange much needed certainty going into next year.”

“We’re very pleased that both Anthem and ConnectiCare have decided to again offer healthcare coverage through Access Health CT for the 2018 open enrollment,” said Jim Wadleigh, CEO of Access Health CT. “This is great news for individuals who will continue to have plan options that best meet their needs. As I’ve said before, the message we want residents to remember is that the law is still the law, financial help is available only through Access Health CT, and there’s still a tax penalty for not having coverage.”