For one, the exchanges created under the ACA are public exchanges. They apply to individuals seeking coverage and to some employer-provided group plans for smaller organizations (typically 50-100 employees). And, depending on individual states, some may not be around past 2017.
But, the concept of private exchanges is a whole other story. These are open to employers of any size, and have already been in use for a number of years. In fact, one major consulting firm projects that by 2018, more Americans will purchase health insurance through private exchanges than through state- or federally funded public ones. Perhaps it’s time we all reacquainted ourselves with the “private option.”