Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Costs For Many Marketplace Plans Are Increasing In Sophomore Season
People shopping on the HealthCare.gov marketplaces that reopened Saturday have more options this year than they did last year, but the options usually will be costlier. Twenty-five states using the federal enrollment portal on average have higher premiums this year for the most popular level of health insurance plans 鈥 called 鈥渟ilver鈥 plans 鈥 while nine states on average have lower prices this year for that level of coverage, according to a Washington Post analysis of federal data. New plans are typically slightly more expensive than existing ones, the analysis showed. (Keating and Millman, 11/15)
The Obama administration on Friday unveiled data showing that many Americans with health insurance bought under the Affordable Care Act could face substantial price increases next year 鈥 in some cases as much as 20 percent 鈥 unless they switch plans. ... An analysis of the data by The New York Times suggests that although consumers will often be able to find new health plans with prices comparable to those they now pay, the situation varies greatly from state to state and even among counties in the same state. (Pear, Abelson and Armendariz, 11/14)
In about a fifth of the counties in states using the federal insurance exchange, premiums for the lowest-priced silver plans will increase by 10 percent or more. But rates for the same plans will decrease in all of Maine, Montana and New Hampshire, and most parts of Mississippi and South Dakota. (11/14)