Health carrier rate development components (2025-02)

Our agency is considering rulemaking to preserve the affordability of health insurance for consumers beginning in plan year 2027. Current federal tax credits that lower health insurance costs for certain Washington consumers (known as enhanced premium tax credits) will become unavailable beginning in plan year 2026. In plan year 2025, these tax credits are benefiting more than 200,000 eligible consumers who purchase qualified health plans through the Washington Health Benefit Exchange.

We are pursuing this rulemaking to preserve the affordability of health insurance for consumers, ensure that affected entities understand rate development requirements, and create uniform rate development standards that preserve a level playing field among health insurers and foster transparency and healthy competition in the market. These changes would apply to plan years beginning in 2027. We may amend Chapter 284-43 WAC to accomplish this goal.