Anthem to leave Nevada’s 2018 insurance exchange
Submitted by editor on Mon, 08/07/2017 - 1:04pm
After Anthem insurance announced in June that it would only offer health plans in three of Nevada's largest counties, state officials announced Monday the company's intentions to leave Nevada entirely.
“I am frustrated and disappointed with Anthem’s surprise and abrupt decision to leave the healthcare exchange especially during uncertain times," said Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval. "This is a significant blow to the state’s individual marketplace, however, residents in Washoe, Clark and Nye Counties who have purchased from the state-based exchange will still have two providers to purchase from during the next open enrollment period."
The governor notes his office is in regular contact with the two remaining providers in order to ensure there will continue to be options for the more than 80,000 Nevadans who purchase insurance through the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange.
"These efforts include working to find a solution for the individuals and families in potential so-called ‘bare counties,'” said Sandoval.
The announcement follows a notice in late June when Anthem withdrew from the Silver State Exchange in 14 counties leaving consumers in those counties without an option on the Exchange for Plan Year 2018.
Insurance Commissioner Barbara Richardson issued the following statement:
“On July 28, 2017, Anthem submitted a Notice of Intent to withdraw from the Silver State Exchange for Plan Year 2018. As such, Anthem will no longer have a presence in Nevada’s individual health market with the exception of catastrophic plans which can only be purchased off the Exchange throughout the state. These plans restrict availability to consumers under 30 years old or with a low income."
Prior to the notice, Anthem had submitted filings to offer Qualified Health Plans in Clark, Washoe and Nye counties.
According to a news release, based on the rate submissions the Division of Insurance received from Anthem, they proposed an average rate increase of 62 percent. This proposed rate increase did not reflect the potential elimination of payments to insurance carriers for Cost Share Reductions. Loss of the Cost Sharing Reduction payments has the potential to increase further rates in the Nevada market.
“While the Division is disappointed in Anthem’s latest decision regarding its withdrawals, we believed that it was in the interest of the Nevada public to let consumers know about the Anthem decision as soon as possible,” said Richardson. “The Division is continuing to work with our state partners on attracting an insurance carrier to serve the 14 bare counties and to support the stability of the market for those insurance carriers who remain."
Richardson notes the state is working with its partners on a plan to help consumers shop the Exchange market at open enrollment for the 2018 plan year and remain hopeful there will be coverage for consumers on the exchange statewide.
