Insurance agents reassure Moda Health customers

A health insurance shake-up is affecting thousands of Oregonians. The state Department of Consumer and Business Services has issued an order of immediate supervision to Moda Health Plan. The state says Moda is experiencing significant financial difficulties.

Lisa Morawski, communication director of the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services, said Friday, “We learned this week that their condition had deteriorated pretty significantly in the fourth quarter of 2015 and bringing them to the point where we felt that in order to protect consumers, we needed to step in and take some action.”

We are told current customers don’t need to find new insurance yet, but DCBS will help with transfers to other carriers if they choose. Moda will not be accepting new accounts or renewals.

NewsChannel 21 talked Friday with Linda Alldredge, the owner/operator at Country Financial in Sisters, about what this means for consumers.

“Open enrollment will be ending for the general public on Jan. 31, that’s two days,” she said. “For people on Moda, they are going to have a special enrollment time frame that’s in addition to that, so there can be an orderly transition.”

The time frame for the transition hasn’t been decided yet, but Alldredge said they’re working with the state to make switching as smooth as possible.

“There will be an orderly transition, people will have time,” she said. “Their doctors are still going to have their visits honored.”

The DCBS confirmed current policy holders can continue to access health services for now, but this may change.

Morawski said, “Moda has indicated to us their plan will be to exit the individual market, so there may be a change to your plan coming up, but it’s too early to know what those changes might be.”

If you have questions, you’re asked to call 1-888-877-4894 , or check insurance.oregon.gov for the latest information.