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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must make a determination on or before January 1, 2013, that a state will in fact have an exchange in operation by 2014 and that the exchange meets the requirements of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and HHS guidance. In a letter dated November 15, 2012, Secretary Sebelius indicated that states may submit both a letter of intent and an application to operate its own exchange by December 14. If a state elects not to operate an exchange, or if the HHS determines that the state will not be able to have an exchange operational by 2014 that meets the law’s requirements, the ACA gives the HHS the authority to establish and operate such exchange within the state.
Mississippi is currently studying its options regarding a state-based health insurance exchange. In 2010, the State created a Mississippi Health Insurance Exchange Study Commission to begin research and outreach, and in 2011 the State’s Commissioner of Insurance Mike Chaney announced that the State would establish a health insurance exchange that would be operated by the nonprofit Mississippi Comprehensive Health Insurance Risk Pool Association and regulated by the Insurance Department.
To date, Mississippi has received grants totaling $21 million and the Insurance Department anticipates submitting an application for additional federal funds to continue the exchange implementation through 2013.
By December 14, 2012, Mississippi must submit its exchange blueprint consisting of a declaration letter signed by Governor Bryant as well as an application to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) indicating whether it plans to operate a fully state-based exchange or a state-federal partnership exchange.
Contacts
Mississippi Insurance Department
Mississippi Comprehensive Health Insurance Risk Pool Association
Regulations
Comprehensive Health Insurance Risk Pool Association, Miss. Code. Ann. §83-9-211