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In the latest sign of insurers’ improved fortunes in the Affordable Care Act business, Centene Corp. will start selling ACA plans in four new states next year and add new counties in six others. The announcement by Centene, which said it is already the largest enroller of ACA-plan customers, comes amid growing evidence that the health-law markets are steadying after years of turmoil, despite continued regulatory changes and a major legal challenge. (Wilde Mathews, 10/10)

Consumers who buy health insurance on Illinois’ Obamacare exchange for next year will see slightly lower prices, on average, for the most popular plans — but it’s unclear whether the decline in premiums will be enough to keep people buying them. Starting next year, consumers no longer will face penalties for not buying insurance. They also will have new options, including the ability to use short-term plans, purchased outside the exchange, for a longer period of time. Short-term plans are often cheaper than exchange plans though they may not offer as much coverage. (Schencker, 10/10)