Arise to leave health care exchange

Another health insurance company is leaving the Affordable Care Act health insurance exchange in Wisconsin, joining Humana, Ambetter, and United Healthcare. This time, it’s Arise Health Plan, a wholly owned subsidiary of WPS Health Solutions.

A spokeswoman for WPS said the company simply could not continue selling or renewing products that were proving to be unprofitable. WPS President and CEO Mike Hamerlik said in a release, “WPS Health Solutions is committed to our communities and we would consider re-entering the exchange if market conditions improve in the years ahead.”

Affected individuals will be covered through Dec. 31 but need to find an alternative health plan during the open enrollment period for 2017, which begins Nov. 1. WPS and Arise will continue offering small- and large-group insurance, and WPS will sell Medicare Supplement and Prescription Drug Program products, as well. For 2017, the companies will only sell ACA-compliant bronze and catastrophic off-exchange plans in select Wisconsin counties.

Aspirus Arise, a partnership between WPS Health Solutions and Aspirus Inc. of Wausau, will enter the exchange and offer insurance products throughout 16 counties in north-central Wisconsin.