While the average increase for health insurance through the statewide market is what’s being called a “record-low increase of less than 1%”, the only insuror on the list for Grays Harbor and Pacific County is showing a 7% decrease.

Premera Blue Cross is the only insurance provider on the Washington Healthplanfinder Exchange covering Grays Harbor and Pacific County in 2019 and proposed for the area in 2020.

In a release from Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s office, Premera Blue Cross is showing a -7.26% decrease in rates for the year.

As a whole, the thirteen health insurers filed a record-low average proposed rate increase of 0.96% for 202o, with two new insurers — PacificSource Health Plans and Providence Health Plan — joining Washington’s market next year.

All 39 counties will have at least one insurer selling inside the Exchange.  

Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler said, “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.

Proposed 2020 individual health insurers by county (PDF, 188.45 KB)

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.