Insurers' requests for 2018 ACA premium hikes reflect DC turmoil

People shopping for individual health insurance in 2018 will feel the impact of congressional clamor for health care reform on their wallets.

Cigna is requesting an average 42.1 percent increase in premiums for the insurance on the individual market for 2018, while BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee is asking for 21 percent, most of which is attributed to federal uncertainty.

Cigna's spike reflects a projected increase in medical and pharmacy costs, which the company said "accounts for a sizeable portion of the premium rate increases," in a filing with the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance.

All Cigna plans on the health insurance exchange as part of the Affordable Care Act will see an increase, ranging from 12.2 percent to 182.2 percent. Cigna will be selling individual plans in the greater Memphis, Nashville and Tri-Cities area. It's the only insurer for the Memphis area in 2018.

Read more: http://www.tennessean.com/story/money/industries/health-care/2017/06/30/health-care-insurance-premium-aca-increase-2018/428888001/