The agency plans to issue a request for proposals to insurers asking for bids on a predefined package of benefits. Among the benefits to be included are maternity benefits, 30 percent coinsurance for inpatient treatment and an annual maximum of $75,000 available to pay for medical care, according to the Business Journal’s report.
The state’s Health Care Authority aims to provide an affordable coverage alternative to the state’s 875,000 uninsured, but some business interests argue a state public option would create an unfair competitive advantage by taking low-risk consumers out of the pool for private insurers.
The Association of Washington Healthcare Plans, which represents private insurers, supports pending state legislation that would allow private insurers to market coverage similar to what is being proposed by the health authority, which they are currently not allowed to do under state regulations.
Read the Puget Sound Business Journal’s report on a public option.
