Oregonians who buy health insurance in the individual market will pay more next year under preliminary rates.
But those rates are lower than most insurers originally wanted.
Some insurers took a big hit under the state’s rate review process this year. Providence Health Plan, for example, asked for a 21 percent increase, but will probably only get about 8 percent.
Lisa Morowski with the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services said the main reason is the state's new reinsurance program. It won legislative approval this session and spreads the risk of high-cost claims among carriers.
“That program wasn’t approved when carriers filed the rates. So, the rates do reflect the addition of that reinsurance program," she said.
"That program is decreasing rates about 6 percent in the individual market.”
The watchdog group OSPIRG called it a huge win for consumers.
Silver Standard Plan premiums for a 40-year-old in Portland will likely range from about $350 to $450 a month.
Copyright 2017 Oregon Public Broadcasting
