Centene to fill gap after Anthem exits Nevada Obamacare exchange

Missouri-based healthcare intermediary Centene Corporation has announced its plans to offer health insurance coverage in Nevada through its subsidiary SilverSummit.

The announcement comes shortly after Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield announced its decision to completely exit the Nevada Obamacare exchange by 2018, leaving about 80,000 Nevadans who purchase insurance through the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange.

Nevada governor Brian Sandoval revealed on Aug 15 that Centene will be offering health insurance to all Nevada residents including those living in Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Elko, Esmeralda, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Lincoln, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing, Storey and White Pine on the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange.

"Access to quality, affordable healthcare should not be dependent on your zip code or county line. Today’s announcement will ensure that more than 8,000 Nevadans will have the ability to exercise their option to utilize Nevada’s online marketplace and secure coverage for their families," said Sandoval.

"This is a fantastic time to welcome SilverSummit to our healthcare market and express the state’s sincere gratitude for stepping up, partnering with Nevada’s own Hometown Health, and providing an insurance option for thousands of Nevadans."

Earlier this month, the division of insurance announced that 14 of Nevada’s 17 counties would be without an exchange health insurance option, which would have left 8,000 consumers in these counties without access to Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) and federal subsidies beginning in January 2018.

Heather Korbulic, executive director for the exchange, said: "We are grateful that SilverSummit has stepped up to the plate, offering relief to thousands of residents who thought they would be deprived of access to health insurance. Thanks to Governor Sandoval’s tireless and unwavering commitment to ensuring access to healthcare for all Nevadans, individuals throughout the state will have access to qualified health plans."

Barbara Richardson, Nevada insurance commissioner, added: "We appreciate that such an experienced insurance carrier will be joining the Nevada Exchange. The Division continues to work with our state partners to explore long-term solutions for Nevada citizens."

According to the statement, this is not the first time Centene has provided coverage in states where insurance carriers have left the marketplace due to uncertainty surrounding the administration's objective to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. In Missouri, Centene offers plans in 25 counties that were slated to have no insurers on its exchange in 2018.

Garrett Leaf, president and CEO of SilverSummit Healthplan, said: "SilverSummit is pleased to serve its current Medicaid members in Nevada, and it looks forward to expanding its product offerings to the Health Insurance Marketplace in 2018. We strive to be a responsible partner with the state and are committed to working closely with regulators and policymakers to be able to offer affordable coverage options for Nevada residents."