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Most Small Health Plans Struggle To Thrive In California Insurance Marketplace

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About 96 percent of Covered California customers are picking among the "big four" plans, according to a "Road to Reform" analysis of October and November enrollment figures. (Based on off-the-record interviews with several health plan officials, a similar trend continued through December).

About 96 percent of Covered California customers are picking among the "big four" plans, according to a "Road to Reform" analysis of October and November enrollment figures. (Based on off-the-record interviews with several health plan officials, a similar trend continued through December).

Exchange officials take issue with that characterization. "While the majority of enrollment across the state is in four plans, it's different when you look region by region," Executive Director Peter Lee said in December.

However, a region-by-region look shows that's not true. "Road to Reform" analysis reveals that those four plans commanded 100 percent of sign-ups in nine of Covered California's 19 regions, and captured at least 95 percent of market share in seven other regions.

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