Are averaging 8 percent for individual plans in nine states.
An analysis by Avalere Health of filed rates indicates rate changes vary from a decrease of 1.4 percent in OR to a 16 percent jump in IN. Before anyone starts celebrating, let’s remember that these rates barely qualify for educated guesses as many plans are still finalizing and sorting thru enrollment. With a big chunk of membership not coming in until April, many members haven’t even figured out how to access care, use websites, contact their plans.
Thus the actual underlying cost and utilization trends are essentially unknown.
To say that plans publishing rates are guessing would be accurate indeed. Therefore it is likely rates – and the list of plans participating in the Exchanges – will shift more dramatically the next of-round, which is a year from now.
What does this mean for you?
Don’t declare victory or trumpet defeat until we know. And we won’t – not for a long time.