Local insurance through Exchange lowers rate; maintains single provider

Grays Harbor and Pacific County aren’t getting a new health plan in 2020 through Washington Healthplanfinder, although we will be seeing a decrease in rates.

Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler released the list of approved health plans in Washington state’s 2020 Exchange, and the eight health insurers have with a record low average rate decrease of -3.27%. 

Locally, only Premera Blue Cross will be available to residents, although the insurer is showing a nearly 6% decrease in rates.

“I’m pleased to see the average rate change go down and that many will see lower premiums next year,” said Kreidler. “This comes in the face of continuing efforts by the Trump administration to dismantle the Affordable Care Act with no replacement plan. We still have work to do to lower the underlying cost of health care and to help lower out-of-pocket costs, but these new rates are welcome news.”

How much someone will pay depends on the plan they choose, if they qualify for any financial help, where they live, their age, whether or not they smoke and how many family members are covered, and their family members’ age.  

Approximately 241,000 people who don’t get coverage from their employer must buy their own health insurance through the individual market, with most shopping through the Exchange. 

In Washington, 65% of people who buy Exchange plans qualify for subsidies that help lower their monthly premiums.

One additional Exchange insurer — Providence Health Plan — is still under review for the state. Four insurers — Regence BlueShield, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon, Asuris Northwest Health and Health Alliance Northwest Health Plan — intend to sell only outside of the Exchange and are also still under review. 

2020 Approved Exchange plans and counties (PDF, 166.46 KB)

 

Health insurer	Requested average rate change	Approved average rate change
Bridgespan Health Company	-1.93%	2.55%
Coordinated Care Corp.	10.16%	0.31%
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Northwest	5.83%	5.25%
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington	0.40%	-4.33%
LifeWise Health Plan of Washington	-5.89%	-4.01%
Molina Healthcare of Washington	-6.97%	-9.15%
PacificSource Health Plans	New	New
Premera Blue Cross	-7.26%	-5.99%
Total approved average* rate change *based on weighted enrollment	1.10%	-3.27%