He reports that the president's decision increased rates by 10 percent on average in Washington state.
2018 Approved rate changes by insurer
| Health insurer | Approved average* rate change due to CSR funding ending | Approved average* rate change if CSR funding is restored | Sold inside/outside Exchange |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asuris Northwest Health | 25.00% | 25.00% | Outside |
| BridgeSpan Health Co. | 16.00% | 16.00% | Outside |
| Coordinated Care Corp. | 45.85% | 30.03% | Inside |
| Health Alliance | 11.76% | 11.76% | Outside |
| Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington | 23.26% | 15.53% | Both |
| Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Northwest | 28.30% | 18.89% | Both |
| LifeWise Health Plan of Washington | 33.73% | 26.20% | Inside |
| Molina Healthcare of Washington | 61.25% | 45.53% | Inside |
| Premera Blue Cross | 35.51% | 29.71% | Inside |
| Regence BlueShield | 24.60% | 24.60% | Outside |
| Regence BlueShield of Oregon | 23.30% | 23.30% | Outside |
Total approved average* change
*weighted by enrollment as of March 2017
| 36.4% | 26.4% |
"I'm very disheartened to have to approve these rates," said Kreidler
"For months, we've struggled with the ongoing uncertainty at the federal level and have shared our concerns with our Congressional delegation and with the president's administration.
"I warned of the harm their actions could inflict on real people and their families. The president's decision to stop making cost-sharing subsidy payments and weakening the enforcement of the individual mandate to buy health insurance are behind the surge in premiums we're seeing this year.
"The other major cost driver is the skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs -- something the administration promised to tackle, yet has failed to take on."
See insurers and their rates by county
Consumers who select a silver-level plan inside the Washington Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange) will see an additional rate increase due to the end of cost-sharing reduction funding. However, they will still receive cost-sharing assistance if they income qualify, and any rate increase would be mitigated if they qualify for these subsidies or Advanced Premium Tax Credits (APTCs). People who select a silver plan and do not qualify for subsidies will be hit the hardest by the president's decision.
Last year, approximately 110,000 people purchased silver plans through the Exchange. More than 73,000 of them received subsidies.
More than 300,000 people in Washington - or about 5 percent of our state population - do not get health insurance from their employer and must buy a plan through the individual health insurance market. They can buy these plans through the Exchange or directly from an insurer. However, subsidies are only available through the Exchange.
Trump voters, this is all on you.
ReplyDeleteOk so first make sure your retirement accounts aren't invested in insurance companies - and then lobby for medicare for all. Talk to Canadians - they are quite happy with their insurance. We could have medicare for all and people with $$ could buy additional "concierge" care - as they do now! And while we're at it, lets get "pay at the pump" car insurance!!
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