Montanans to Get Rebate Due to Health Care Law

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The U.S. Health and Human Services Department says about 25,000 Montana residents will receive an average rebate from insurance companies of $194 by Aug. 1 due to the health reform law.

The agency says the rebates come from a provision in the Affordable Care Act that requires health insurance companies to spend at least 80 percent of consumers' premium dollars on medical care and quality improvement.

The remaining 20 percent can be spent on administrative costs. Insurance companies that don't meet the 80/20 standard must provide rebates.

The Billings Gazette reports the agency estimates some 12.8 million Americans will get about $1.1 billion in rebates this summer.