Delaware reaches deal with insurance carrier

While they wouldn’t identify the insurance carrier, Delaware officials say they’ve reached a tentative deal with one carrier that could allow policyholders to keep the same insurance coverage for the time being.

Reportedly 12,000 Delawareans received letters informing them their insurance policies would be canceled between Jan. 1, 2014 and March 31, 2014 because they did not meet Affordable Care Act criteria.

Delaware’s Dept. of Insurance says it is currently having ongoing conversations with other carriers in the state to provide opportunities for policyholders to renew their existing coverage. Even those who had previously been offered this option and did not opt to utilize it will be provided an additional opportunity to renew the existing policy.

While the details are still being developed, these offerings will not preclude the opportunity to enroll/purchase an ACA-compliant policy.

“Making sure individuals and families are covered remains our priority, and this first tentative agreement will bring peace of mind to many state residents as they weigh their coverage options for the coming year,” said Rita Landgraf, secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services, DOI’s sister agency facilitating the state’s health care marketplace.

The news comes one week after President Barack Obama announced a one-year extension for current policies, following computer glitches and multiple setbacks linked to the federal health insurance site. Problems with Healthcare.gov are expected to be smoothed out by Nov. 30.