Ohio health insurance company sues state, feds

COLUMBUS  (AP) — An Ohio health insurance company is suing state and federal officials over confusion in rules for a program for patients with pre-existing conditions.

At issue is a high-risk insurance pool created by the federal health care law targeting patients turned away by insurance companies because of such conditions as cancer or heart disease.

Medical Mutual of Ohio sued last month in federal court to force clarification over who has the final say in eligibility for enrollment into the program — state or federal officials.

The complaint was prompted by a dispute over whether 14 people should receive coverage under Ohio’s program.

Federal officials eventually provided direction on their coverage, but an attorney at Medical Mutual said the company remains concerned eligibility questions could come up again for others.