I've spent the past couple of weeks up to my ears in 2025 annual healthcare policy rate filing analysis, so I haven't gotten around to addressing JD Vance's recent appearance on NBC in which he finally explained exactly what Donald Trump's "concept of a plan" for healthcare is:
When Donald Trump stammered at the recent presidential debate that he had “concepts of a plan” for Americans’ health care, he came across like a child who had forgotten his homework. But thanks to his campaign and his running mate JD Vance, we know now the Republican ticket really does have some “concepts.” Those concepts are bringing health care into the election — and presenting a tremendous opportunity to Vice President Kamala Harris.
Last Sunday, Vance raised the eyebrows of anyone familiar with health care policy when he told NBC’s Kristen Welker about Trump’s “deregulatory agenda.”
Polis-Primavera Administration’s Landmark Reinsurance Effort Will Save Coloradans $493 Million on Healthcare Premiums in 2025, Putting Money Back in the Pockets of Hardworking Coloradans
Even more savings can be found by shopping and switching to a Colorado Option plan during open enrollment
DENVER - Today Governor Polis, Lt. Governor Primavera, and the Colorado Division of Insurance (DOI), part of the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), announced that Reinsurance will save Coloradans almost $493 million on approved plans and premiums for 2025, building on the millions in savings available to Coloradans through Colorado Option plans. The figures below on the final, approved health insurance plans and premiums for 2025, highlight the impact of these efforts to save people money on health insurance.
The bad news is that I was only able to acquire effectuated enrollment for 3 of New Mexico's 4 individual market carriers participating in 2025 (a fifth carrier, Western Sky, is dropping out of the market entirely).
The good news is that I'm able to roughly estimate the enrollment of the remaining carrier (BCBS NM) if I look at on-exchange effectuated enrollment as of February and assume that another 10% or so is off-exchange. That gives me an estimated weighted average increase of 10.6%.
Even if that estimate is wrong, it doesn't make much difference since the unweighted average is around 10.1% anyway.
As for the small group market, I only have an unweighted average there of 8.6%.
The good news is that the federal Rate Review database has now posted the preliminary avg. 2025 rate filings for the individual and small group markets for every state. This makes it very easy to plug in the average requested rate changes in 2025 for every carrier participating in both markets.
The bad news is that most of the underlying filing forms are heavily redacted, meaning I can't use the RR database to acquire the other critical data I need in order to run a proper weighted average: The number of people actually enrolled in the policies for each carrier.
This means that in cases where this data isn't available elsewhere (either the state's insurance department website, the SERFF database or otherwise), I'm limited to running an unweighted average. This can make a huge difference...if one carrier is requesting a 10% increase and the other is keeping prices flat, that's a 5.0% unweighted average rate hike...but if the first carrier has 99,000 enrollees and the second only has 1,000, that means the weighted average is actually 9.9%.
ST. PAUL, Minn.—Minnesotans who need health insurance for 2025 can get an early start on health plan shopping through MNsure. Consumers can go to MNsure.org to preview 2025 health plans and get a free and anonymous cost estimate ahead of MNsure’s annual open enrollment period, beginning November 1.
“With just three key pieces of information — where you live, who is in your household, and your total household income — you can get an immediate estimate of how much money you could save in 2025 by enrolling through MNsure,” said MNsure CEO Libby Caulum. “We estimate eligible Minnesota families will save an average of $561 per month (over $6,700/year) on private health plans purchased through MNsure.”
There is no doubt about it—fall is here. Many of us take this time to wind down from the summer’s excitement and start preparing for the upcoming year. While it may not be the most thrilling task, health insurance is one of the most important things you can plan for every year.
Starting October 1, you can visit yourhealthidaho.org to preview 2025 health plans. During this period, you can window shop for health insurance plans without logging in to an account or filling out an application. Previewing plans can give you confidence in your future decision and the freedom to thoroughly review your options.
However, that was actually only for the preliminary rate filings. In addition, at the time I only had access to California's on-exchange individual market enrollment data, so I had to guess at the off-exchange numbers.
The small group market was more frustrating: I only had enrollment data for about 1/3 of the carriers; the rest had redacted their enrollment information. This meant I couldn't even guess at a weighted average rate change.
PID is working with insurers to review proposed changes to ensure rates are adequate and fair.
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID) today announced that 2025 rate changes requested by insurance companies currently operating in Pennsylvania's individual and small group markets are now available online. This initiative upholds the Shapiro Administration's commitment to providing consumers with the information they need when shopping for health insurance.
Rate filings for 2025 health insurance plans were submitted to PID on May 15, 2024. Ever since, PID has been working with insurers to review these insurance companies' proposed rate changes, as rates vary by plan and region and are subject to change by the Department to ensure rates are adequate and fair. Final approved rates will be made public in the fall.
Nevadans can now “window shop” online to view and compare health insurance plans ahead of Open Enrollment starting November 1
CARSON CITY, Nev. (Oct. 1, 2024) – In preparation of Nevada’s 2025 Plan Year Open Enrollment Period, Nevadans can now explore and compare health insurance plans on NevadaHealthLink.com. The Open Enrollment Period begins on Nov. 1, 2024, and continues through Jan. 15, 2025. Throughout October, Nevadans can check plan rates and assess eligibility for federal assistance to help reduce the cost of monthly premiums; nearly 9 out of 10 Nevada Health Link enrollees qualify for financial help on their premiums. All plan options and rates can be viewed using the “window shopping” feature on enroll.NevadaHealthLink.com.
BALTIMORE (Oct. 1, 2024) – Marylanders can now preview 2025 health plans and prices on MarylandHealthConnection.gov, the state’s online health insurance marketplace. Use the “Get an Estimate” tool to compare health plans and savings.
Open enrollment to sign up for a 2025 health plan runs from Nov. 1, 2024 through Jan. 15, 2025. New this year, Marylanders can enroll in plans from Wellpoint Maryland, Inc. Other insurance companies include: Aetna, CareFirst, Kaiser Permanente, and UnitedHealthcare. Vision and dental plans also are available.
“Health insurance makes an impactful difference in the lives of Marylanders every day," said Michele Eberle, executive director of the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange. “With savings through Maryland Health Connection, health care is within reach. In fact, 9 out of 10 Marylanders who enroll get financial help with their health coverage.”
