State health insurance rates increasing on average; decreasing locally
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.
- Learn about how health rates are reviewed
- Sign up to get notified when your health insurer’s rate is final
- Search all rate requests for individual and small employer health plans