covered california

US health insurers raise rates to match increase in usage

July 31, 2022 Billie S. Dickenson

SACRAMENTO, California (AP) — After putting off routine health care for much of the pandemic, Americans are now returning to doctors’ offices in big numbers — a trend that’s starting to show up in higher insurance rates across the country.

Health insurers in individual marketplaces across 13 states and Washington D.C. will raise rates an average of 10% next year, according to a review of rate filings by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

That’s a big increase after premiums remained virtually flat for several years during the pandemic as insurers seek to recoup costs for more people using their policies, combined with record-high inflation that is driving up prices for virtually everything, including health care.

The rates review included Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont and Washington.

“We’re at a point in the pandemic where people are using health care that they

… Read the rest

Californians brace for increased healthcare premiums if federal subsidies expire

July 14, 2022 Billie S. Dickenson
SACRAMENTO — 

For the last two years, Syd Winlock has had a major burden lifted from his surgically repaired shoulder.

Federal subsidies passed as part of a temporary pandemic relief package have drastically cut how much he pays in healthcare premiums, allowing the Sacramento-area small-business owner to purchase an insurance plan during the last two years that provided better coverage for his shoulder and knee replacements.

Those federal subsidies, however, will expire at the end of this year if Congress does not extend the program. His “very manageable” price — about $700 a month for him and his wife — will increase to $2,300, Winlock said.

“Even if we went to a lesser-type policy, it would still be about $1,800 a month,” Winlock, 63, said. “I mean, that’s more than my mortgage.”

Roughly 150,000 lower- and middle-income Californians would be similarly priced out of coverage by the rising premiums if

… Read the rest

You may have missed

What Motivates People to Seek Help From a Snoring Specialist?

December 28, 2022 Billie S. Dickenson

US health insurers raise rates to match increase in usage

July 31, 2022 Billie S. Dickenson

A Retirement Journey: Health Insurance Issues

July 30, 2022 Billie S. Dickenson

Health insurance giant Empire pulls out of NYC’s controversial Medicare plan for retired city workers

July 29, 2022 Billie S. Dickenson

How to avoid a tax surprise from marketplace health coverage

July 27, 2022 Billie S. Dickenson