Conn. pushing ahead with new health care exchange

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut is among the states that are furthest along in preparing to enroll patients this fall in the new health insurance marketplace known as an exchange.

But the state has discovered that being first comes with some challenges.

The staff at the quasi-public exchange, called Access Health CT, has had to build both an agency and an online marketplace from the ground up. They have to rely on directives and guidance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that can change or that need to be clarified.

Kevin Counihan, the exchange's CEO, told HHS last month that Connecticut's exchange would have to stop implementing any new federal regulations as of March 1, in order to focus on getting ready for user testing planned for June 4.