STATE GOVERNMENT
Health insurers’ proposed rate changes are lowest in 7 years
“I’m pleased to see the health insurers show an increased interest in the individual market and to see rates come in relatively low,” said Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. “Consumers certainly deserve more choices, but we will scrutinize the proposed rate changes very carefully. It’s on the health insurers to justify any rate change and they know our review will be thorough and complete.”
Twelve insurers filed 114 individual health plans for sale inside the Exchange, Washington Healthplanfinder. If approved, the number of Exchange plans would increase from 46 to114. Eight insurers currently have plans inside the Exchange.
Also, 10 insurers filed 119 individual health plans for sale outside of the Exchange, raising the potential number of non-Exchange plans from 51 to 119. If all are approved, the number of insurers will stay the same. The total number of plans available may change during the review process.
Once the final rates are approved, premium will vary depending on where someone lives, their age, whether or not they smoke, and which plan they select.
Proposed average rate changes by health insurer:
Health insurer | Proposed average rate change | Inside or outside the Exchange |
Asuris Northwest Health | 3.9% | Outside |
Bridgespan Health Company | 1.7% | Inside |
Columbia United Providers | New to the market | Inside |
Community Health Plan of Washington | 8.4% | Inside |
Coordinated Care Corporation | 11.2% | Inside |
Group Health Cooperative | 11.2% | Both |
Group Health Options, Inc. | 14.2% | Outside |
Health Alliance Northwest Health Plan, Inc. | New to the market | Inside |
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Northwest | .57% | Inside |
LifeWise Health Plan of Washington | 8.9% | Both |
Moda Health Plan, Inc. | 0% | Both |
Molina Healthcare of Washington, Inc. | -6.8% | Inside |
Premera Blue Cross | 8.1% | Both |
Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon | 9.5% | Outside |
Regence BlueShield | 5.1% | Outside |
Time Insurance Company | 26% | Outside |
United Healthcare of Washington, Inc. | New to the market | Inside |
See a chart showing the number of plans, broken down by metal level. A map showing options by county will be available later this year, once all of the plans are approved.
In addition, two health insurers have filed to sell in Washington Healthplanfinder Business, the Exchange small business market. Kaiser intends to continue selling plans in two counties, Clark and Cowlitz, and Moda intends to sell statewide.
Kreidler added, “We’ll be working closely with all of the insurers over the next several months to make sure we can get as many plans approved for both the small employer and individual markets as possible, but rates must be justified, provider networks must be adequate and the plans must deliver on their promises.”