Alaska facing deadline without insurance exchange

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Federal officials and Alaska nonprofits are rushing to set up a health insurance marketplace required under the federal Affordable Care Act by the Oct. 1 deadline.

Alaska is among 27 states that have refused to set up marketplaces, also known as exchanges, where the uninsured can shop for coverage. In states opting out of setting up the exchanges, the federal government is stepping in.

The United Way and the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium are each receiving a $300,000 federal grant to hire “navigators” to help people find their way around the federal health-care program.

Coverage begins Jan. 1. The first enrollment period extends from Oct. 1 through March 31.