by Steve Donohue NH Individual Health Insurance Broker and insurance writer
Today the NH insurance Department confirmed that Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare and Anthem will return to the NH Individual market- specifically noting that these insurers will BOTH offer plans on the NH Marketplace (also known as healthcare.gov). However the big news is that Minuteman Health will NOT be returning to the NH Individual health insurance market in 2018. See Press release here.
Minuteman Health is a cooperative health plan that presently covers about 27,000 Granite State residents. Established in 2013, Minuteman initially emerged as a significant player in the NH individual Health insurance market. Focusing on a limited network of providers, and offering low cost silver plan designs made them an appealing choice for many individual health insurance shoppers.
However, in 2017 Minuteman hit financial difficulty. In June of 2017 Minuteman announced that it would stop writing business as of January 1, 2018 due to a significant reduction in capital. At that point leadership from Minuteman Health stated that they wanted to re-enter NH as a "for profit" health plan in 2018.
In August the Massachusetts Division of Insurance took control of Minuteman Health, placing them under a blanket of "receivership". (Receivership is when a state steps in to protect policyholders and providers when an insurance company is in financial distress. This measure is designed to bolster Minuteman Health so that they can meet obligations until the end of 2017.) Today it became clear that Minuteman Health would not obtain the funding required to create a new separate entity to offer coverage in NH for 2018.
What does the NH Individual Health Insurance Market look like now?
See quick review below of the enrollment of members by the 4 current insurers who offer Individual health plans in NH. Today Minuteman Health is the 2nd largest insurer in the non group market.
(Source 2017 Marketplace Monthly Enrollment Report)
What insurers will offer NH Individual Health Insurance in 2018 marketplace?
As of today three other insurers, Anthem, Ambetter and Harvard have all confirmed that they will be offering health insurance in NH for 2018.
What can I do if I am a Minuteman Member?
Representatives from the NH Insurance Department and the Massachusetts Division of Insurance have stated that consumers covered under Minuteman now will not likely experience significant changes. Members and providers are encouraged to contact Minuteman Health as they have in the past for any issues.
The waiting is the hardest part... (Tom Petty)
Open enrollment begins November 1, 2017 and ends December 15, 2017- this is the time when individuals can choose a new health plan for 2018. So if you are a Minuteman member you can select new coverage during open enrollment. The dilemma that some Minuteman consumers will face is changing insurers and likely seeing higher premium costs beginning January 2018.
If you have questions please call:
Today the NH insurance Department confirmed that Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare and Anthem will return to the NH Individual market- specifically noting that these insurers will BOTH offer plans on the NH Marketplace (also known as healthcare.gov). However the big news is that Minuteman Health will NOT be returning to the NH Individual health insurance market in 2018. See Press release here.
Minuteman Health is a cooperative health plan that presently covers about 27,000 Granite State residents. Established in 2013, Minuteman initially emerged as a significant player in the NH individual Health insurance market. Focusing on a limited network of providers, and offering low cost silver plan designs made them an appealing choice for many individual health insurance shoppers.
However, in 2017 Minuteman hit financial difficulty. In June of 2017 Minuteman announced that it would stop writing business as of January 1, 2018 due to a significant reduction in capital. At that point leadership from Minuteman Health stated that they wanted to re-enter NH as a "for profit" health plan in 2018.
In August the Massachusetts Division of Insurance took control of Minuteman Health, placing them under a blanket of "receivership". (Receivership is when a state steps in to protect policyholders and providers when an insurance company is in financial distress. This measure is designed to bolster Minuteman Health so that they can meet obligations until the end of 2017.) Today it became clear that Minuteman Health would not obtain the funding required to create a new separate entity to offer coverage in NH for 2018.
What does the NH Individual Health Insurance Market look like now?
See quick review below of the enrollment of members by the 4 current insurers who offer Individual health plans in NH. Today Minuteman Health is the 2nd largest insurer in the non group market.
(Source 2017 Marketplace Monthly Enrollment Report)
What insurers will offer NH Individual Health Insurance in 2018 marketplace?
As of today three other insurers, Anthem, Ambetter and Harvard have all confirmed that they will be offering health insurance in NH for 2018.
What can I do if I am a Minuteman Member?
Representatives from the NH Insurance Department and the Massachusetts Division of Insurance have stated that consumers covered under Minuteman now will not likely experience significant changes. Members and providers are encouraged to contact Minuteman Health as they have in the past for any issues.
The waiting is the hardest part... (Tom Petty)
Open enrollment begins November 1, 2017 and ends December 15, 2017- this is the time when individuals can choose a new health plan for 2018. So if you are a Minuteman member you can select new coverage during open enrollment. The dilemma that some Minuteman consumers will face is changing insurers and likely seeing higher premium costs beginning January 2018.
If you have questions please call:
- Minuteman Health at 1-855-644-1776
- NH Insurance Dept. Consumer Division at 1-800-852-3416
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