NASHVILLE (AP) - About 66,000 people who get individual health plans through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee are being notified that they must pick a new plan due to new federal regulations.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee, which is the largest underwriter of individual health plans in the state, and other insurance companies have begun sending out the letters to inform clients who have policies that don't meet new federal regulations.

Roy Vaughn, vice president for Blue Cross in Tennessee, told The Tennessean (http://tnne.ws/1ajXM3i) that letters are going out as policies come up for renewal and the company is pointing out similar plans that meet the requirements of the Affordable Care Act.

Vaughn said the letters are to help people choose a replacement so they don't have a lapse in coverage. He said everyone would be able to choose a plan.

"Nobody is getting turned away," Vaughn sa id. "No one is getting canceled."

However, he said there would be differences in the new policies, including costs.

"Some people may experience lower costs," Vaughn said. "Some may experience higher costs. It just depends upon what their policy was."