As enrollment closured for Year One of Obamacare, we highlighted a number of issues to look forward to over the course of the next months and even years. Among these issues was what premiums would look like in future years. We’re starting to get an idea as insurers begin their initial rate filings for 2015 in several states.
Last week, an analysis of initial filings in Indiana showed huge variance in premium growth (and even shrinkage) from a high of a 46% increase over this year’s premiums to a low of a 9% reduction. Insurers like Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield indicated that 2014 shook out much as they expected, which was reflected in their relatively modest average premium increase of 9.7%. Physicians Plan of Northern Indiana, however, ended up with an older and less healthy pool this year than they expected and have reflected that with premiums growing by 46% into 2015.
The rates remain preliminary as several CMS rules for 2015 remain outstanding, but it certainly provides some interesting insights early in the game.