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BEND, Ore. (AP) — Central Oregon residents might have more health insurance options than expected next year.
The Bend Bulletin reports (http://bit.ly/2ahAId4) that several Oregon health insurers are shrinking their coverage area because the individual market is more expensive that they anticipated. State regulators have announced, however, that four carriers appear open to expanding their coverage area: Providence Health Plan, BridgeSpan Health Co., Regence BlueCross BlueSchield of Oregon and ATRIO Health Plans.
Health Net Health Plan of Oregon and PacificSource Health Plans have already agreed to sell individual policies in Deschutes County in 2017.
Patrick Allen, director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, says regulators have been encouraging insurers to expand to Oregon's more rural areas.
He says regulators will meet with carriers to hash out final coverage areas on Monday.
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Information from: The Bulletin, http://www.bendbulletin.com
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