Health insurance rate increases may have some Nebraskans in sticker shock

A sampling of individual health insurance rates for Nebraskans next year shows increases that will average about 35 percent on the Affordable Care Act marketplace, with some increases near 50 percent.

But federal officials have said the law’s tax subsidies will offset such increases for three out of every four people buying the policies, allowing them to purchase coverage for $75 or less per month.

Figures issued Friday by the Nebraska Department of Insurance showed increases ranging from 12 percent to nearly 50 percent for a sampling of policies that would take effect Jan. 1.

The figures compared 2016 and 2017 rates for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska, Aetna Health Inc. and Medica, the three companies that will offer policies to Nebraskans on the exchange when open enrollment starts Nov. 1.

Read more: http://www.omaha.com/livewellnebraska/health/health-insurance-rate-increases-may-have-some-nebraskans-in-sticker/article_8bb5090a-72cd-542c-a869-13c0b4e71a1f.html