Montana Insurer to Shut Down In 2017

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Officials for a Montana health insurance company say the company will shut down next year.

Ryan O'Connell of New West Health Services said Friday the company will cease operations after it fulfills its requirements for this year's insurance plans.

Company CEO Angela Huschka says the company is not able to be financially successful with health insurance industry's increasing complexity and new challenges.

The company will continue to process claims from this year in 2017.

New West has 15,000 customers, including 14,000 with Medicare Advantage coverage. It employs 84 people in Helena, Kalispell and Billings.

Policyholders can choose another health plan beginning next month.

In 2012, New West sold its 10,600 hospital employee policies to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana and its commercial health insurance business to PacificSource.