Individual Rates to Soar In California

 

Expanded enrollment of a sicker population will drive up rates for individual health plans in 2014, according to a study by Milliman for Covered California, the state’s health exchange. The average premium increase will be an astounding 30.1% for people who make too much to receive the subsidy (more than $93,700 for a family of four or $45,960 for an individual).

However, Californians who will qualify for the highest premium tax credits, due to their income, will see an average drop of 85% in what they pay for health coverage. Depending on the individual’s choice of health plan, this premium tax credit could cover a higher percentage of the premium. There are 1 .6 million people uninsured and eligible for subsidies. Many of them could have 100% of their premiums covered through the Affordable Care Act. Those who make less money will be eligible for larger federal tax credits to make their health care more affordable. Households earning from 138% to 250% of the federal poverty level will likely see an average drop of 85% in what they pay for health coverage. Households earning 250% to 400% of federal poverty level will pay on average 45% less, for more coverage with lower copay and deductibles, than what they would have paid for an individual plan in 2013. The hope is that, in future years, Californians will see decreases in their health care costs as they no longer pay for the burden of the millions of uninsured and benefit from improvements in how care is delivered, according to Covered California.