Commissioner releases 2016 health insurance rates for Delawareans

Dover, Del. — Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart released Delaware’s Qualified Health Plan rates for Plan Year 2016.  Weldin submitted her approved rates to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in August. CMS, which has final authority on the rates, approved them on Sept. 21.

Stewart recommended approval of a 22.4% rate increase in the individual market for Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware, a reduction of 3.0% from Highmark’s June request of 25.4%.  Highmark had made a second request in late August for an additional 8% increase, for an overall rate hike of more than 33% which the Commissioner rejected out of hand.

Aetna Life Insurance Company’s request for a 16% increase in the individual market was also approved. In the small group market, Highmark’s request for a 12.7% increase was granted, as was Aetna’s request for a 6.1% decrease.

 “My actuaries took a hard look at Highmark’s submitted rate request, and we were able to reduce it by 3.0%,” said Stewart. “But Blue Cross franchisees across the country are making requests for increases of 25% or more, claiming the Affordable Care Act has unleashed pent-up demand by persons who have not seen a doctor for years.  Regulators have been approving significant rate increases throughout the country.”

BCBS plans have requested rate hikes greater than 30% in Oklahoma, Tennessee and Minnesota.  Last month Blue Cross Blue Shield New Mexico pulled out of that state’s healthcare exchange when denied a 51.6% increase.

“I’m continuing to meet with other insurance companies to persuade them to join Delaware’s Health Insurance Marketplace and increase competition,” said Stewart. “Insurers have been discouraged by our state’s high health care costs.”

According to a 2013 Wall Street Journal report on health care spending nationwide, Delaware ranks third-highest in prescription drug costs, fourth in the cost of physician and clinical services, and ninth in the cost of hospital care.

The Department of Insurance will post all of the rates on their website by Oct. 15.  For details, visit the Health Insurance Rate Filings page, http://www.delawareinsurance.gov/departments/rates/ratefilings.shtml