Insurance companies that offer standalone dental plans through Oregon's health insurance exchange are objecting to a proposal to charge the companies a monthly 93¢ fee for each enrolled member after 2014.
The exchange, called Cover Oregon, is an online marketplace scheduled to launch in October in which individuals and employers will be able to compare prices for health insurance plans and apply for financial assistance, according to a story in the Statesman Journal.
Oregon plans to charge administrative fees to pay for the exchange's operation after federal funding expires. On July 25, the exchange's committee recommended that the proposed fee for dental plans be adopted.
Annual revenue from the fee is an estimated $674,000. Enrollment in standalone dental plans is projected at 72,400, one-third of estimated total enrollment in the exchange, according to the story.
A separate monthly fee for medical plans was set at $9.38 per enrolled member. If an insurance carrier offers both medical and dental plans, the fee for standalone dental plans would be added.
The fee is based on the premise that the average dental premiums make up 10% of the average medical premium. But those who argue for lower fees say that dental premiums make up 5% of the average medical premium.
Exchange officials recommended moving forward with the proposed dental fee, saying the rate was based on industry standards.
