A picture of the 2015 insurance landscape is beginning to emerge months after the close of the 2014 exchange open enrollment period, according to a report by PWC. Publicly released premium increases across about 29 states and the District of Columbia vary widely, ranging from a low of -23% in Arizona to a high of 50% in Arkansas. The average rate increase across states reporting data is 8.2% while the average monthly premium (without subsidies) is around $385.Year two of the exchanges is expected to see an upswing in participation from several major commercial insurers. The bellwether Blue Cross Blue Shield plans have submitted increase requests across the country typically above 9%.
New healthcare CO-OPs, nonprofit insurers created under the ACA, are priced comparably to or lower than competitors in Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, and Tennessee. Arizona’s CO-OP is the lowest-priced plan in the state, with a 23% proposed rate decrease from 2014. Competitive premiums may not always result in higher enrollment as some CO-OPs have found. For more information, visit http://www.pwc.com/us/en/health-industries/health-research-institute/aca-state-exchanges.jhtml
