Covered California announced today the insurance carrier who will participate in California’s State Health Exchange.  Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California and Kaiser Permanente — which account for nearly 87% of the individual market in the state — have chosen to participate in the exchange. Meanwhile three prominent health insurers — Aetna, Cigna and UnitedHealth — have chosen not to participate in California’s health insurance exchange next year, the Los Angeles Times reports (Terhune, Los Angeles Times, 5/22).

In an interview ahead of the announcement, Peter Lee — executive director of Covered California – rejected criticism that diminished competition would lead to higher premiums and fewer plan choices.

In yesterday LAHU University Day Michael Ginsberg from Cigna explained that Cigna will continue to sell their existing plans to Dec 2013 and will extend these plans until December of 2014. Comes January 1st Cigna will announce health plans which will be compliant with the healthcare reform of 2014. This is welcome news as it gives Cigna policyholder a choice to remain on their current plans or migrate in the exchange. It is expected that the new health plans, especially due to lower deductible and the 3:1 ratio will be especially for younger policyholders very expensive.

Solid Health Insurance will inform you of the newest changes in the healthcare reform and California’s State Health Exchange, Covered California. We will make sure to find the most affordable Health Insurance Plan for your family in Santa Monica, and the rest of California.