Idaho- Feds give until October 2013 to create exchange, not January 2013

At a reporter’s breakfast Wednesday, Gov. Butch Otter said that it’s likely Idaho won’t have enough time to create and implement its own state-based health insurance exchange program.

“The chances are very good that we are not going to have a state-based exchange,” he said. “Quite frankly, the clock is running.” Otter says that the Jan. 1, 2013, deadline for federal exchange certification is coming quickly when looking at the amount of work required for the project.

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Federal certification is the process the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is using to decide if it needs to step in and create an exchange for a state. Applications for certification can be submitted as early as October and HHS will make its final determination on each state’s situation by Jan. 1, 2013.

Certification does not, however, mean Idaho will have a functioning insurance exchange. That will come much later in the year.

http://www.idahoreporter.com/2012/feds-give-until-october-2013-to-create-exchange-not-january-2013/

Hat tip: Idaho Reporter