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The state’s insurance department is taking over a company that provides health insurance to nearly 22,000 residents, mainly in central Ohio.

The move affects those holding InHealth Mutual policies from Coordinated Health Mutual Inc. The suburban Columbus-based company is organized as a health insurance co-op under the Affordable Care Act.

Such co-ops absorbed deep financial losses last year. At least a dozen have closed.

A judge on May 26 granted the Ohio Department of Insurance’s request to liquidate the company.

Under the court order, InHealth policyholders must continue to pay premiums and providers must honor contracts for service.

The court action also allows state officials to assure that claims of policyholders, providers and vendors are provided for while company operations wind down.

Topics Carriers Ohio