Alabama exchange attracts UnitedHealth, Humana

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has attracted three major carriers to the state’s health insurance exchange program.

The Alabama Department of Insurance said Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama and a unit of UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:UNH) have applied for permission to sell exchange coverage, or “qualified health plans” (QHPs), throughout the state.

Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM) has proposed plans to sell QHPs in 50 of the 67 counties.

All three companies are awaiting federal approval for their QHP proposals.

The proposals mean that Alabama should have no counties left out of the exchange program, officials said.