Kentucky gets OK to dismantle state exchange site

Another state is moving to the federal Healthcare.gov marketplace rather than running its own exchange, after Kentucky has been given permission to shut down kynect, its state-run site.

The Louisville Courier-Journal reported Gov. Matt Bevin had called the state exchange redundant and made it a pledge in his 2015 campaign to dismantle the site. While approving the move to the federally-facilitated marketplace, CMS Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt did worry that change would cause “confusion.”

“We remain concerned that kynect's transition to the federal platform may disrupt the seamless system of coverage that kynect established," Slavitt said in a letter to Bevin.

Bevin’s administration, however, said the switch won’t disrupt customers shopping for coverage when open enrollment begins in November.

“This transition will allow Kentucky to achieve substantial cost-savings while still allowing citizens to enroll in qualified health plans," said governor’s office spokesperson Amanda Stamper.

For more on the transition, and how Bevin’s predecessor fought to keep the exchange even after losing an election, click on the link below: