Blue Cross Prepares for 2014 and Will Not Be Extending Non-Compliant 2013 Policies

Montana's largest health insurer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana, says it will not extend policies that do not meet coverage requirements under the new federal health care law.

President Barack Obama's administration previously announced it would allow insurers to extend coverage for another year for certain policies that don't meet the new requirements.

But Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana says it will not offer continuations of its 2013 individual and small group coverage. Spokesman John Doran said in a statement Monday that Blue Cross had prepared for 2014 by developing only Affordable Care Act-compliant plans.

He says changing that now would require a lengthy state regulatory approval process and it is unclear that Blue Cross would be able to comply with state regulations if it did so.

Doran also says customers need peace of mind, not confusion.