Health insurance exchange for kids to begin
Oregon’s program will be the first of its kind in the nation
By Tracy Loew • Statesman Journal • December 13, 2009
Oregon is getting ready to roll out the nation’s first health insurance exchange just for children.
In January, children in families between 200 percent and 300 percent of the federal poverty level will qualify for state-subsidized health coverage offered by five private insurers.
The plan, called Healthy KidsConnect, will serve as many as 35,000 children.
A family of four would qualify if its income was between $44,100 and $66,150 per year.
They’ll pay either 10 percent or 20 percent of the premium costs, depending on income, said Cathy Kaufmann, manager of the state’s Office of Healthy Kids.
Health insurance exchanges are a key part of national health care reforms being considered by Congress. They allow consumers to comparison shop plans with standardized benefits.
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