State insurance exchanges - Ohio

Summary of differences between federal and state regulations

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 a state may submit both a letter of intent and an application to operate its own exchange by December 14, 2012. 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.

The Federal government awarded Ohio a $1,000,000 state planning grant to begin work on establishing a health insurance exchange.

Ohio has not applied for any other federal grants.

On December 21, 2011, Ohio Gov. John Kasich signed HB 79, legislation prohibiting health plans purchased through an exchange from covering abortions except in cases of rape, incest, or when the life of the mother is endangered if the fetus were carried to term.

On November 12, 2012, Ohio Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor announced that the state would not establish a health insurance exchange, and that Gov. Kasich would be sending a letter to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sibelius saying that Ohio would let the federal government run its health insurance exchange.

State

Contacts

Ohio Department of Insurance

Ohio Department of Health

Regulations

HB 79

Ohio Revised Code 3901.87

Federal

Contacts Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

Regulations

45 CFR Parts 155, 156, and 157