Covered California Premiums To Rise 8.7 Percent, A More Modest Increase Than Double-Digits Expected Elsewhere
But officials said the increase would have been closer to 5 percent had the individual mandate not been zeroed out.
Sacramento Bee:
Covered California Premiums Will Rise Average Of 8.7 Percent
Covered California announced Thursday that it expects to increase its health insurance premiums by a statewide average of 8.7 percent in 2019, double what it would have been if Congress had not dropped a tax penalty that encouraged U.S. citizens to maintain health insurance. A state-run health-insurance marketplace, Covered California strives to offer consumers high-quality health insurance at the most affordable prices. (Anderson, 7/19)
San Francisco Chronicle:
California Health Insurance Premiums To Rise An Average Of Nearly 9% In 2019
It is the fifth straight year that premiums are rising for such health plans. The increase applies to the 1.1 million lower-income Californians who receive federal financial assistance to buy plans on Covered California, as well as the 1.2 million residents who buy plans without subsidies. (Ho, 7/19)
California Healthline:
California’s ACA Rates To Rise 8.7% Next Year
The average increase in California is smaller than the double-digit hikes expected around the nation, due largely to a healthier mix of enrollees and more competition in its marketplace. Still, health insurance prices keep growing faster than wages and general inflation as a result of rising medical costs overall, squeezing many middle-class families who are struggling to pay their household bills. (Terhune and Bartolone, 7/19)
San Diego Union-Tribune:
Covered CA Rates To Increase 9 Percent, On Average, In San Diego County
California is the latest state to release 2019 preliminary rates and, according to the nonprofit Kaiser Family Foundation, some localities have seen even larger upticks as carriers react to the elimination of the Affordable Care Act’s mandate that most Americans must buy coverage or pay a tax penalty. The Kaiser analysis shows, for example, that the average premium in Maryland will increase 30 percent next year with a 24 percent spike in New York and 19 percent in Washington. (Sisson, 7/19)
Fresno Bee:
Covered California Announces 2019 Insurance Rate Increases
Peter V. Lee, executive director of Covered California, said steady enrollment in California has helped offset rate increases, but in other parts of the country people are being priced out of coverage. “Covered California’s strong enrollment, low premiums and healthy consumers are the result of promoting competition that focuses on lowering costs,” Lee said. (Anderson, 7/19)
Capital Public Radio:
Covered California Premiums To Rise Nearly 9 Percent
All 11 insurers that participated in the market last year will remain, and customers who shop around for lower-cost plans may be able to reduce or avoid a premium increase, Lee said. (Caiola, 7/19)
Ventura County Star:
8.7 Percent Insurance Premium Hike Projected In Ventura County For 2019
A year ago, Covered California rates rose 12.5 percent statewide and about 6 percent in Ventura County. About 66,000 people in Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties and about 1.4 million people across the state are covered by the insurance exchange created through the Affordable Care Act. (Kisken, 7/19)