Health Insurance Rates in Pennsylvania

Rates for Pennsylvania ACA Health insurance plans to rise almost 9%

In Pennsylvania; Government marketplace Health insurance premiums are to rise an average of 8.8% for the individual and 6.6% for small group plans for 2018 according to the rate proposals that were filed with the state insurance department.

the lower increases seen for Pennsylvania are credited to a fairly stable health insurance market where 5 different insurers offer coverage. These rate increases are a fraction of the rate hikes insurers were granted by the department last year which was 32.5%.

But rates would be driven as high as 23.3% if contemplated changes by the federal government are made to ACA also called Obamacare if requirements that everyone have health insurance is repealed as well as 20.3% if they revoke the government subsidies according to the state.

Insurers have then indicated if dropping both requirements a 36.3% increase will be sought with the insurance department. This is further proof of what is known in that such adverse actions from the federal government only hurt the consumers stuck in the middle.

The rates proposed would not affect out of pocket max payments or deductibles for medical expenses. Revisions for insurers rate proposals can be made up until fall in Pennsylvania.

Depending on the persons age; the AHCA “American Health Care Act would drop the mandate for health insurance, repeal most of Obamacare then use tax credits of $2,000 or $4,000 as a substitute for cost reductions. In May; this bill was approved by the U.S. House and is in the Senate for consideration.

The number of Pennsylvanians with ACA coverage is about 506,000.  Deepening on income; 76% receive premium assistance.

Employer based health insurance covers about 55% of Pennsylvanians and 18% is from Medicaid based on the 2015 numbers the Kaiser Family Foundation compiled.

Costs could be driven down do to UPMC Health Plans partnership with the Reading health System in Central Pennsylvania which would benefit consumers.