HBE Staff Molly Voris (left) and Michael Arnis.
Health Benefit Exchange (HBE) Advisory Committee members were not happy to hear that individual health plan premium rates in the HBE are expected to go up almost 10% on average in 2015. The Committee held its monthly meeting on June 5th in Olympia. Industry experts cautioned that one should not read too much into the increases because carriers are still trying to refine their pricing to more accurately reflect the demographics of the market for the second year under federal health care reform. Nonetheless, a possible return to high premium increases is not what consumers had expected, and additional regulatory changes later this year are expected to drive prices even higher.
Committee members were also disappointed to hear of ongoing HBE data and premium transfer problems impacting about 10% of all enrollees in private sector HBE Qualified Health Plans. Total enrollment in QHP’s has also not met expectgations.
On the positive side, 2015 should see over 71 new plans to choose from in the HBE, providing more competition and innovation.
The next HBE Advisory Committee is scheduled for July 2 and PowerPoints from the June 5 meeting can be found at the HBE website http://wahbexchange.org/committee-activities/advisory-committee/ .
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