Obamacare health care plans headed for big rate hike in Arizona
Oct 21, 2016, 5:10 AM | Updated: 11:18 am
(Jamie Rhodes/Norton Healthcare via AP)
(Jamie Rhodes/Norton Healthcare via AP)
PHOENIX — People who get their health insurance through the only two plans offered under Obamacare in Arizona will pay much higher rates next year.
The cost of health insurance under the Affordable Care Act will jump 75 percent for those covered by Health Net of Arizona, the sole provider in Maricopa County.
The Arizona Department of Insurance has also approved a 51 percent rate increase for Blue Cross Blue Shield, which operates in every Arizona county, save for Maricopa.
Will Humble of the University of Arizona Center for Population Science said he’s not only concerned about rate hikes, but the lack of plans available through Obamacare.
“My bigger concern is the fact that there are so few plans left available, which really limits consumer choices,” he said.
But there is some good news for people facing a rate hike.
“There are some generous subsidies for folks, all the way up to 400 percent of poverty,” Humble said.
Those looking for advice on health care plans and subsidies should go to CoverAZ.org, according to Humble.
“There’s navigators (on that website) that can help you think through what best options are available for you,” he said.
