Gov. Kate Brown, Oregon's two U.S. senators and four U.S. representatives have asked the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to extend the health insurance enrollment period through Dec. 31.
Most insurers enjoyed reduced expenses in the third quarter and many saw profits but some lost clients, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Nov 23, 2020
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U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C.
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The agreement, which affects 36 Blue Cross Blue Shield companies, including four in the Northwest, is expected to increase competition among health insurers.
“All it really is, is a statement that he wants one or more of his departments to come up with a plan," said Joe Antos with the American Enterprise Institute.
A federal emergency declaration on Sept. 15 gives all Oregon residents the right to sign up for coverage on the insurance marketplace through a special enrollment period.
Increased profits, especially in the second quarter of the year, were eye-popping for Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon.
The money is part of $35 million total that the insurer is paying out because patients couldn't access medical treatment in the early months of the pandemic.