June 3, 2019
OLYMPIA, Wash. – Thirteen health insurers filed a record-low average proposed rate increase of 0.96% for the 2020 individual health insurance market. Also, two new insurers — PacificSource Health Plans and Providence Health Plan — are joining Washington’s market next year.
All 39 counties will have at least one insurer selling inside the Exchange, Washington Healthplanfinder (www.wahealthplanfinder.org).
“Despite the Trump administration’s effort over the last two years to sabotage the Affordable Care Act, this year’s filings are evidence that our full adoption of the law and the steps we’ve taken to defend and preserve it are stabilizing our market,” said Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. “We have more work to do to lower the cost of health care and to help lower out-of-pocket costs, but these proposed rates are welcome news.”
Approximately 248,000 people who don’t get coverage from their employer must buy their own health insurance through the individual market, with most shopping on the Exchange. In Washington, 65% of people who buy plans on the Exchange qualify for subsidies that help lower their monthly premiums.
|
Health insurer |
Requested average rate change |
Sold inside/outside Exchange |
|---|---|---|
|
Asuris Northwest Health |
-4.43% |
Outside |
|
Bridgespan Health Company |
-1.93% |
Both |
|
Coordinated Care Corporation |
10.16% |
Inside |
|
Health Alliance Northwest Health Plan |
0.93% |
Outside |
|
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Northwest |
5.83% |
Both |
|
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington |
0.40% |
Both |
|
LifeWise Health Plan of Washington |
-5.89% |
Both |
|
Molina Healthcare of Washington |
-6.97% |
Inside |
|
PacificSource Health Plans |
New |
Both |
|
Premera Blue Cross |
-7.26% |
Inside |
|
Providence Health Plan |
New |
Both |
|
Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon |
-5.57% |
Outside |
|
Regence BlueShield |
-5.62% |
Outside |
|
Total requested average* change *Weighted average based on enrollment |
0.96% |
Kreidler’s office will review all proposed health plans and proposed rate changes over the next several months, with decisions coming in the fall.