Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Some States Looking At Loss Of Key Competitors And Dramatic Price Hikes For 2018 Marketplaces
The Hill: Five Places Most Likely To Lose ObamaCare Insurers
The immense uncertainty surrounding ObamaCare has some areas wondering whether they’ll soon be in a dead zone — a place without any insurance plans to buy on the healthcare exchanges. Insurance companies are in the midst of filing premium requests for the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) marketplaces. But before seeking those premium hikes, they’ll have to decide whether to continue offering coverage at all. (Roubein, 6/6)
New Hampshire Union Leader: NH Insurer Seeks 30% Rate Hike
The second-largest insurer in the New Hampshire Obamacare market said his company has requested average rate hikes of 30 percent next year, blaming the increase on two provisions of the health care law — Medicaid expansion and federally imposed risk adjustments. Minuteman Health Chief Executive Officer Tom Policelli disclosed the preliminary proposal in a newspaper interview on Monday. He said Medicaid-expansion customers, who don’t pay any premiums or deductibles, won’t feel any impact, and subsidized Exchange customers will feel very little. (Hayward, 6/5)
Columbus Dispatch: 11 Insurers File In Ohio To Participate In Obamacare
Monday was the deadline for insurance companies in Ohio to propose their 2018 rates under the Affordable Care Act. That’s without knowing whether former President Barack Obama’s plan will be gutted or President Donald Trump will support government subsidies and other elements that were popular with consumer advocates. Eleven insurers had filed rates for the upcoming coverage year by 5 p.m. Monday. That’s the same number as this year, but six fewer than in 2016. The Ohio Department of Insurance would not yet identify the companies or release their rates. (Rinehart and Huson, 6/6)
