Anthem lets members renew full network plans for extra year

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield in New Hampshire is letting members renew policies with full networks for an additional year. The move prevents the members from being forced to choose an Anthem plan on the state's health insurance exchange, reported the Concord Monitor. Anthem is the only insurer selling on New Hampshire's online marketplace for 2014, and all of its exchange plans feature a narrow network of providers. "[T]o keep your existing benefits, you can renew early," Anthem told members in a flyer. "(If purchased by Nov. 15), your effective date will be December 1, 2013, and your plan year will be extended until December 1, 2014," the flyer states. Anthem spokesman Christopher Dugan said the decision is part of the insurer's "ongoing commitment to keep our members informed about their benefits." State law prevents Anthem from allowing members to renew their existing plans for more than one year, however. Article