TAKE CARE: Advocacy Blog Series

Premium Increases

We’re excited to continue our advocacy blog series meant to help youtake care当涉及到重要的关节炎保健和覆盖问题时。如果您现在刚刚进入这个系列，请查看我们以前的博客文章accumulator adjustment programs, pharmacistgag orders, President Trump’s drug pricingblueprintanddrug rebates.

本周，我们关注平价医疗法案交易所出售的医保计划保费的上涨。继续读下去，了解更多关于这些增长可能会或不会影响你的健康保险选择的信息。

How do I know if I will be impacted?

如果你通过雇主购买医疗保险，或者你有医疗补助或医疗保险，你不会受到影响。这篇博客文章和相关新闻标题中提到的增长涵盖了2019年平价医疗法案州交易所的拟议增长。If you do purchase your insurance through your state exchange, contact your statedepartment of insuranceto find out which plans are asking for the largest increases.

What’s happening to premiums?

States are currently releasing information about 2019 premium prices, which are proposed by insurers that offer plans on the Affordable Care Act state exchanges. Two of the most recent releases show insurers requested a 19 percent average increase in premiums inWashington stateand a 24 percent average increase inNew York. These increases are not final, but many states are expected to release similar figures in the coming weeks. In fact, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) recently released areportestimating an average increase of 15 percent in premiums for 2019 plans sold on Affordable Care Act health insurance exchanges.

Why are premiums rising in the individual market?

根据国会预算办公室的说法，2019年医保计划保费上涨的主要原因是最近的联邦行动，如废除《平价医疗法案》的个人强制要求。强制个人购买保险的目的是确保各州医保交易所拥有大量健康人群，以平衡需要较昂贵医疗服务的消费者。在纽约，保险公司将提议的增加的一半归因于废除强制保险。

What if I am impacted and my premiums are rising?

Many states, like Washington and New York, will post the percentage increase by insurer on the state department of insurance’s website. The Washington state department of insurance even allows you to sign up and be notified if your insurer wants to change your rates. If your plan’s proposed increase makes your coverage unaffordable, you will need to compare the new plan rates on yourlocal state exchange.

What is my state or the federal government doing about the rise in premiums?

States review all submitted proposed rates to ensure that the rises are justified. If the increases are justified and approved, states have a few strategies to control costs. States may request that insurers consolidate the increases onto silver-level plans to increase subsidies and keep other metal tier plans affordable on the exchange. Other states may also propose a reinsurance program using state and federal dollars to lower consumer costs. However, a reinsurance proposal using federal funds must be approved by the federal government.

The federal government continues to consider proposals to stabilize the individual market. One example is a bipartisanSenate proposalfrom Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Patty Murray (D-WA), which would restore and fund a cost-sharing program cut by the administration that could lower premiums.

How is the Arthritis Foundation advocating on this issue?

The Arthritis Foundation has been very active in advocating for stable state health insurance exchanges. Weopposed the individual mandate repealalong with many otherpatient groupsbecause of concern that it would cause premium increases similar to those in Washington and New York. The Arthritis Foundation alsosupported the bipartisan Senate proposalfrom Sens. Alexander and Murray to stabilize the markets and mitigate drastic increases, and we stronglyopposed the end of cost-sharing reduction paymentsthat lowered premiums for consumers. The Arthritis Foundation continues to advocate for federal and, where possible, state options, like reinsurance programs, to lower premiums.

We understand that health care costs continue to be a complex issue for patients and all parts of the health care industry. We will continue to work diligently to identify solutions that put patients first. If you’d like to stay informed on federal- and state-based health care issues, considersigning up to be an Advocate. Becoming a part of our advocacy grassroots network is an easy way to get involved and stay informed.

Advocacy Blog