Covered California Announces Sharp 2017 Rate Increases
Covered California, the state’s Obamacare health insurance exchange, says that its premiums will balloon by a statewide average of 13.2 percent next year.
California Healthline:
Covered California Health Plan Rates To Jump 13.2 Percent In 2017
California’s Obamacare premiums will jump 13.2 percent on average next year, a sharp increase that is likely to reverberate nationwide in an election year. The Covered California exchange had won plaudits by negotiating 4 percent average rate increases in its first two years. But that feat couldn’t be repeated for 2017, as overall medical costs continue to climb and two federal programs that help insurers with expensive claims are set to expire this year. (Terhune and Bartolone, 7/19)
California Healthline:
What Do Covered California’s Big Rate Hikes Mean For You?
The average rate hike doesn’t tell the full story for individual consumers. Health plan prices vary across the state, and within regions. How much you’ll pay depends on a variety of factors: where you live, how much money you make, what level of coverage you want and which insurer you choose. Keep in mind that these premium increases affect only a fraction of insured Californians — not the majority, who get their coverage through work or a government program such as Medicare or Medi-Cal. (Bazar, 7/19)
Los Angeles Times:
California Obamacare Rates To Rise 13% In 2017, More Than 3 Times The Increase Of Last 2 Years
The big hikes come after two years in which California officials had boasted that the program helped insure hundreds of thousands people in the state while keeping costs moderately in check. ... On Tuesday, officials blamed next year’s premium hikes in the program that insures 1.4 million Californians on rising costs of medical care, including expensive specialty drugs and the end of a mechanism that held down rates for the first three years of Obamacare. (Petersen and Levey, 7/19)
KQED:
Covered California Premiums Going up 13.2% Next Year. Here’s Why.
Peter Lee, the agency’s executive director, cited several factors as drivers in this year’s spike. Most notable is an expiring federal “reinsurance” program, created as part of the Affordable Care Act, to spread the risk of so many newly insured people entering the risk pool. Actuarial experts estimate that alone adds 4 to 7 percent to premiums, but it’s viewed as a one-time effect.Rising health care costs, including specialty prescription drugs, are also a factor. (Dembosky and Aliferis, 7/19)
San Jose Mercury News:
Obamacare: Covered California's Health Plan Prices Soar
"We've known for a long time that 2017 would be a transition year,'' said Peter Lee, executive director of Covered California, the state's health exchange. "We are seeing that happening." (Seipel, 7/19)
Sierra Sun Times:
Covered California Announces Rates And Plan Expansions For 2017
Some consumers who choose to keep their plan will see a significant increase in their premium for 2017, while others will see a more modest increase, depending on where they live and what insurance plan they have. Consumers will begin receiving notices in October, when they will have an opportunity to review their new rates and change plans for their 2017 health coverage. (7/19)
Sacramento Bee:
Covered California Health Care Premiums To Jump 13.2 Percent In 2017
For a 40-year-old Sacramento resident earning up to $23,760 a year, the monthly premium under the most popular silver-level plan after a federal subsidy would rise from $119 to $138. Those who switch plans, Lee said, could actually pay less than last year or only up to 5 percent more. Lee noted that 90 percent of Covered California enrollees will still be eligible for federal subsidies to help cover their premium costs. Currently, about 1.4 million individuals have Covered California policies. (Buck, 7/19)
KCRA:
Covered California Rates To Increase 13.2% For 2017
For Sacramento's Karri Grant, who's battling cancer for the second time, the increase comes as a surprise and shock. "That's a pretty big hike, and it feels a little bit to me like a bait and switch with this program," Grant said. (Heise, 7/19)
San Francisco Business Times:
Covered California Rates Set To Soar 14.8 Percent In San Francisco Next Year
In San Francisco, Covered California said preliminary rates are set to jump by 14.8 percent next year. Contra Costa County enrollees who stay in the same health plan could see 13.6 percent increases, and other several other local counties will see double-digit increases. (Rauber, 7/19)
Fresno Bee:
Buying Health Insurance Through California Exchange Could Cost You More Next Year
Rates in Fresno, Kings and Madera counties are increasing by 10.8 percent on average. And rates in Tulare, Merced and Mariposa counties are going up 8.4 percent on average. Rates through some health plans, though, will be rising as much as 23 percent. (Anderson, 7/18)
San Diego Union-Tribune:
Covered CA: 2017 Average Rates To Jump 13.2 Percent
The average increase in San Diego County will be slightly less — 10 percent, according to a rate guide released by Covered California. But some insurance carriers have submitted rates that indicate a much higher rise year over year. (Sisson, 7/19)