The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) gave Connecticut the federal seal of approval for the state’s plan to implement a health insurance exchange by 2014.
Connecticut is among the first six states – including Washington, Maryland, Massachusetts, Oregon and Colorado – to have their implementation plans certified, HHS announced Dec. 10.
Insurance plans for individuals and small businesses will be marketed through the Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange (HIX) beginning October 2013, with the first plans taking effect Jan. 1, 2014.
“We couldn’t be happier with receiving the HHS approval,” said Kevin Counihan, CEO of the Connecticut HIX, in a Dec. 10 statement.”But with only nine months left until open enrollment in 2013, there is little time for celebrating.”
Counihan has previously told the Business Journal that the Connecticut HIX is moving ahead according to schedule. To date, Connecticut has received $116 million in federal funds to design and build the exchange.
