NJ health exchange may disrupt employee coverage

While many states are expecting healthcare rates to go down for residents and employers using their benefits exchanges, New Jersey may not see such steep cuts.

According to The Record, a New Jersey newspaper, healthcare reform may not drive insurance costs as far down in New Jersey compared to other states. The source reported less competition in the marketplace as well as federal management of the exchange may lead to modest benefits cost discounts. In fact, the state has already reduced rates through negotiations with federal officials. The Record suggested the state's low-cost insurance plan available in the individual market may not bring costs down as much as in other states.

Linda Schwimmer, vice president of the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute, told the source that Gov. Chris Christie's decision to leave the health insurance exchange to the federal government has created less-than-attractive plans.

"The plans really wanted New Jersey to run its own exchange. Once the governor decided he was going to leave it to the federal government to do it, it did make it less attractive to the plans."