Health plan exchange enters second year, with more options

In a surprise move, the U.S. Supreme Court has said it will resolve another legal challenge to the Affordable Care Act. The crux of the dispute is whether taxpayer-funded subsidies are available only through state-based insurance exchanges, or through all of them.

Thirteen states run exchanges. The rest are run by the federal government.

The court isn’t expected to issue a ruling until late June. Washington and Idaho have state-based exchanges, so insurance shoppers should turn their attention to the upcoming enrollment period, which begins Saturday.

Washington Healthplanfinder is offering in-person assistance on the opening weekend at several malls across the state. In Spokane, help is available at the River Park Square food court on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Enrollment in Apple Health (Medicaid) occurs year-round. Other enrollment events can be found at wahealthplanfinder.org. The website also has information on how to contact local brokers, whose services are free.

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2014/nov/12/editorial-health-plan-exchange-enters-second-year/