Connecticut warns would-be exchange impostors

Connecticut insurance regulators want to stop private health insurance exchanges and other commercial insurance organizations from pretending to be the state’s Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act exchange.

The Connecticut Insurance Department has put out a notice, in Bulletin IC-35, to repel any efforts by entities licensed by the department to suggest that their commercial programs are the state PPACA exchange, Access Health CT.

Thomas Leonardi, the Connecticut insurance commissioner, said his department will act against any entity that tries to mislead consumers.

“The Connecticut health insurance exchange is the only entity in Connecticut which is sponsored by the state and the only entity receiving federal recognition and access to federal tax benefits for individuals and small employers,” Leonardi said.

Leonardi drove home his point by quoting excerpts from the Connecticut unfair insurance practices laws.