ObamaCare insurer expands to three new states

An ObamaCare insurer will move into three new states while expanding its footprint in six existing markets. 

Centene announced Tuesday it would enter Kansas, Missouri and Nevada in 2018, while expanding its presence in Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Ohio, Texas and Washington. 

It’s unclear which counties Centene will sell plans in, but the move could mean they are filling “bare counties” in these states that are slated to have no marketplace insurers for 2018. 

{mosads}”Centene recognizes there is uncertainty of new healthcare legislation, but we are well positioned to continue providing accessible, high quality and culturally-sensitive healthcare services to our members,” Michael F. Neidorff, chairman, president and CEO for Centene said in a statement Tuesday. 

“Centene has demonstrated disciplined execution, agility and capacity to successfully navigate industry changes to the benefit of our members, customers and shareholders.”

Centene served 1.2 million exchange members as of March 31, 90 percent of which are eligible for ObamaCare subsidies. 

It’s a notable move because other insurers have announced they may not participate in 2018, citing uncertainty in the marketplaces that they say has been ginned up by the Trump administration. 

Insurers are waiting to hear back about whether the Trump administration will continue ObamaCare’s insurer payments, which reimburse them for giving discounts to lower-income customers. 

Currently, 47 counties may not have any insurers on the healthcare exchanges next year. 

Other insurers have proposed huge rate increases. The deadline for insurers to file proposed rates and plans with the federal government is June 21.