12 insurers will participate in California's exchange

Twelve insurers have officially signed contracts with California to sell policies through Covered California, the state-run health insurance exchange. Six of those insurers will also sell plans through the small business exchange

The state's four biggest insurers--Kaiser Permanente, Blue Shield, Health Net and Anthem Blue Cross--are all participating in the online marketplace. Plus, smaller companies like Alameda Alliance for Health, Blue Shield of California, Chinese Community Health Plan, Contra Costa Health Plan, L.A. Care Health Plan, Molina Healthcare, Sharp Health Plan, Valley Health Plan and Western Health Advantage, have also signed on, reported the Sacramento Bee.

"We are proud of the product mix, the robust provider network and the lower-than-expected premiums," Covered California Executive Director Peter Lee said in a statement.

But one insurer, Ventura County Health Care Plan, unexpectedly dropped out of the state marketplace. Lee said the exchange supports Ventura County's decision not to participate. "Covered California remains partners with Ventura County Health Care Plan and will lay the groundwork for negotiations next year," Lee told the Los Angeles Times.

To learn more:
- here's the Covered California statement
- read the Los Angeles Times article
- check out the Sacramento Bee article

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