Private-option timeline

Last week Arkansas Legislators gave final approval to a plan to let more than 250,000 low-income Arkansans use federal Medicaid funds to purchase private health insurance on the state’s new insurance marketplace. Called the “private option,” the plan will extend insurance coverage to adults who make up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level, or $15,145 annually.

Supporters pointed to looming deadlines as reasons the private option had to be approved during the 2013 legislative session.

What’s next:

Tuesday - 10:30 a.m. Gov. Mike Beebe is scheduled to sign private-option bills at the state Capitol.

Early May - The Arkansas Insurance Department plans to notify all interested insurance companies of specific requirements of the private option, such as how high co-pays can be. All carriers participating in the exchange will need to accept all private-option-eligible consumers who apply.

Early June - The Insurance Department begins training the more-than 400 people who will assist consumers signing up for the exchange. Training is expected to take place at the state’s community colleges.

June 30 - Deadline for insurance companies to submit potential insurance plans to the state Insurance Department.

July 31- Deadline for the Arkansas Insurance Department to certify which health plans can be offered on the exchange in Arkansas. That information is then sent to the federal government for approval.

Sept. 4 - The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services expects to notify companies if they can offer plans on the exchange the federal government controls.

Sept. 30 - Training and licensing of the people who will assist consumers with the exchange should be complete.

Oct. 1 - Enrollment in plans on the health-insurance exchange begins for all consumers. Arkansans will use the federally run exchange website to sign up. The state Insurance Department will need to provide an Arkansas-specific section to help people who make less than 138 percent of the federal poverty level determine if they are eligible.

Jan. 1 - Coverage begins for plans purchased on the insurance exchange.

Front Section, Pages 11 on 04/21/2013

Upcoming Events