Feds set deadline for state exchange proposals

States intending to operate health-insurance exchanges in 2014 must submit proposals by Nov. 16, the Obama administration announced this week (Source: “Insurance-exchange deadline set,” Columbus Dispatch, May 17, 2012)

According to new guidance released by HHS (pdf, 45 pages), states seeking to operate a state-based exchange or electing to participate in a state partnership exchange (an exchange operated cooperatively between two or more states) must submit a complete exchange blueprint (essentially an application) by Nov. 16, 2012.  HHS will review and potentially approve or conditionally approve the exchange no later than Jan. 1, 2013, so it can begin offering coverage on Jan. 1, 2014.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said 34 states and the District of Columbia have accepted federal grant money to help establish the insurance exchanges. Ohio has not applied for an exchange establishment grant.