Exchange Bill Advances in Maryland

O’Malley has not yet scheduled a signing date but plans to sign the bill into law shortly, a representative says.

Maryland already has received about $34 million in federal exchange construction grants.

The new exchange act will allow the exchange to use active purchasing strategies, or bargaining efforts, to try to reduce exchange plan costs and increase exchange plan quality after the first two years that the exchange system is in operation, officials say.

The Maryland bill would require exchange “Navigators,” or ombudsmen, to refer consumers to agents and brokers for information about products not available through the exchange; require Navigators to be licensed; require the small business exchange to work with health insurance agents and brokers; and allow employers using exchanges to choose the dental and vision plans that will be offered to their employees.