N.J. Obamacare premiums rising in 2018 because of uncertainty in D.C., insurers say

New Jersey's largest health insurer has proposed raising premiums by an average of 22 percent next year for people who buy their own coverage, while another insurer wants rates for its Obamacare plans to climb as much as 59 percent.

Citing uncertainty about the changes in health policy in Washington, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey said it needs the price hikes – the largest it has requested since the law took effect in 2014 and roughly three times what it requested last year.

AmeriHealth of New Jersey, the other insurer in New Jersey's Obamacare marketplace, has asked for increases ranging from 6 to 59 percent, depending on the plan chosen.

While the new rates are proposals and still subject to change, "One thing is clear," Horizon said in a statement Monday. "Were it not for uncertainty surrounding the future of the ACA, Horizon would be proposing a single-digit rate increase.

Read more: http://www.northjersey.com/story/news/health/2017/08/14/2018-obamacare-premiums-nj-higher/565033001/