Cleveland Clinic to enter ObamaCare markets amid uncertainty

The Cleveland Clinic has entered a joint venture with Oscar Insurance Corp. to cover five Ohio counties, the companies announced Thursday. 

Plans will be offered on and off the ObamaCare exchanges, a notable decision given the uncertainty surrounding the insurance markets under the Trump administration. 

“I do want to acknowledge the turmoil and the uncertainty around the public exchange and the public marketplace,” Kevin Sears, the clinic’s executive director of market and network services told Cleveland.com.

{mosads}”That said, the individual insurance segment is not going anywhere. We expect it will grow for some.”

Other insurers across the country have exited the ObamaCare markets for 2018, citing uncertainty over whether the Trump administration will continue paying key ObamaCare insurer payments. 

Anthem announced last week that it would exit the exchanges in Ohio, leaving 18 counties with no provider in 2018. 

None of the five counties to be covered by the Cleveland Clinic and Oscar include those impacted by Anthem’s departure, however. 

The plans will be offered during open enrollment in 2017, with coverage starting Jan. 1, 2018.