LEWISTON — Maine Community Health Options is the only profitable health insurance co-op in the country, according to rating agency A.M. Best. In a briefing released last month, Best said only one of the country’s 23 co-ops — MCHO — had both favorable underwriting and income as of last fall. While MCHO reported $10.9 million […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Poliquin defends controversial ACA vote at Republican event
Poliquin delivered the keynote address at Sunday’s Lincoln Day Dinner, hosted by the Penobscot County Republican Committee. “I’m working my tail off down there [in Washington, D.C.] and taking some arrows,” Poliquin told the crowd. Sunday’s dinner drew a larger-than-expected crowd, according to organizers. About 75 people registered, but more than 100 showed up, filling […]
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Losing libertarian endorsement doesn’t worry Poliquin
PORTLAND — U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin is brushing off criticism he’s getting from some conservatives for not voting to repeal President Barack Obama’s health care law. Poliquin was one of three Republicans in the House to vote this week against repealing the law. The freshman congressman says he opposes it but believes a replacement plan […]
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Federal health care exchange enrolls 59,126 Mainers
AUGUSTA — Nearly 60,000 Mainers have enrolled in plans on the health care exchange. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said Wednesday that 59,126 Maine residents had signed up for coverage as of Friday. The open enrollment session began Nov. 15 and extends through Feb. 15. Thursday is the deadline for people to […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Who are the health insurers competing for Mainers’ money?
Mainers shopping on HealthCare.gov can choose from more insurers in 2015. After a plucky start-up overtook the state’s largest health insurer for sign-ups in the marketplace’s first year, a third player left the sidelines and joined the fray. Maine Community Health Options The Lewiston-based health insurer captured about 80 percent of HealthCare.gov shoppers in Maine […]
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Supreme uncertainty: The future of the Affordable Care Act in Maine
More than a year has passed since the federal government welcomed HealthCare.gov into the world. After some sleepless nights during those first tumultuous months, President Barack Obama’s administration saw its newborn health insurance marketplace slowly gain footing. Today, HealthCare.gov is finally walking. But on wobbly legs. And some of the other kids don’t want to […]
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36,000 Mainers sign up for health insurance in first month
During the first month of open enrollment, more than 36,000 Mainers signed up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace. According to a report released Tuesday by the federal Department of Health and Human Services, 61 percent of those people re-enrolled in a marketplace plan, while 39 percent used the marketplace at Healthcare.gov […]
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Maine health exchange assisters report smooth process
AUGUSTA — With fewer glitches plaguing the federally run health exchange website, people helping to enroll Maine residents in insurance plans say the process is going more smoothly this time around, and they’re hopeful they will make strides in the next three months in covering the tens of thousands of people in the state who remain […]
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ACA: Maine groups reaching out to uninsured
AUGUSTA — When enrollment in health care exchange reopens Saturday, the Maine groups that will encourage the uninsured to sign up say they have a powerful resource: the voices of the tens of thousands of residents who have already enrolled. The first open sign-up period for the Affordable Care Act brought out those who were […]
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Community Health Options to sell health plans in New Hampshire
LEWISTON — Maine Community Health Options is offering health insurance plans throughout New Hampshire in 2015, expanding ahead of schedule after being approved for a $67 million loan from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The insurance cooperative’s proposed plans have been approved by the New Hampshire Insurance Department and are under review […]