Individual market health insurance rates moderate for 2019

After significant rate increases in recent years, Michigan’s insurers in the individual market plan much smaller rate hikes for 2019 – and some plans are cutting rates for plans purchased through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

Robust competition is helping hold down rates, with the Department of Insurance and Financial Services reporting that nine companies filed rates, ranging from a 2.5 percent DECREASE to an 11 percent increase in the individual market. The average rate increase is 1.4 percent. Rate increases in previous years have been much higher on average.

“Michigan’s Individual Market remains one where consumers have choice in their carrier with seven members of the Michigan Association of Health Plans participating in the Marketplace. MAHP Plans remain dedicated to delivering high-value plans to Michiganders on the Marketplace,” said Dominick Pallone, executive director of the Michigan Association of Health Plans. “We encourage everyone in the individual market to shop around to find the best combination of rates and value to meet their needs.

“However,” Pallone added, “even moderate rate increases have the effect of driving enrollment down and the choosing of less-robust plans. We encourage our Legislature and Governor to look closely at state-specific solutions to stabilize the market for consumers, as has been accomplished in Minnesota where significant rate decreases are following the Legislature’s strong stabilization efforts.”

MAHP members offering Qualified Health Plans on the Michigan Health Insurance Marketplace are: McLaren Health Plan Community, Meridian Health Plan of MI., Inc, Molina Healthcare of MI, Physicians Health Plan, Priority Health, Total Health Care USA

Others who also filed rates are: Blue Care Network, Blue Cross Blue Shield of MI, Oscar Insurance Company

The Michigan Health Insurance Rate Change Request Charts are located on the DIFS website.