Missourians able to keep canceled insurance plans
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Missourians able to keep canceled insurance plans

Date: November 21, 2013
By: Christine Roto
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
Missourians might be able to keep their health insurance policies that would have been canceled under the Affordable Care Act.
RunTime:  0:51
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: President Obama has taken heat lately from Americans complaining about losing their health insurance at the end of the year.

But that might not be an issue if state health insurers take action.

The state's insurance department director gave insurance providers the option to continue plans that would have been canceled.

The instruction came just a few hours after Republican Representative Jay Barnes called on the department's director to allow coverage to continue.

But Dave Dillon from the Missouri Hospital Association says the move is a little premature.

Actuality:  DILLONC1.WAV
Run Time:  00:09
Description: "That may make sense in some cases, but it may be important to wait and investigate before you just go with whatever you automatically had."

Dillon says people have other options than federal website like an insurance navigator to help them find a policy.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Christine Roto.

Intro: 
Missourians might not have to worry about losing their health insurance coverage at the end of the year.
RunTime:  0:49
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Republican Representative Jay Barnes called on the state's insurance department to allow Missourians to keep coverage cancelled due to the Affordable Care Act.

And later in the day...the department's director gave health insurance providers the option to continue coverage.

But Dave Dillon from the Missouri Hospital Association says the decision came too soon.

Actuality:  DILLONC2.WAV
Run Time:  00:16
Description: "If you wait another week or two, when the marketplace is functioning better, which everyday it gets a little better, then you may be able to find a better product that's a lower cost and has more value to you."

A spokesperson for Anthem Blue Cross Blue Sheild, one of the largest insurance providers in Missouri, says the company will make a decision in the next few days.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Christine Roto.