Costs of exchange-offered plans fell from October

Many Americans who enrolled for insurance benefits through the federal and state-run exchanges weren’t able to receive subsidies and now must pay the full cost of coverage. Some people chose to go on private exchanges to avoid technical difficulties and access additional plans, and a new chart from online brokerage eHealth has broken down the costs of health plans offered through its site. The site found costs have dropped from when the exchanges first opened last year.

According to Bloomberg Businessweek, the chart depicts the average monthly premiums of all plans offered through the private marketplace since Oct. 1, with those who bought plans in October and early November paying more than $350 per month. Businessweek reported people with preexisting conditions may have bought more expensive plans with better benefits in those first few months. 

The chart shows a rapid decline in prices through the end of 2013. Businessweek reported prices moderated in January, with average policy costs staying slightly above $270 a month since. 

“We’ve seen from other studies that prices have increased across the board; our Index shows what the average consumer is able to pay for new ACA-compliant plans, without any premium assistance,” said Gary Lauer, chairman of eHealth. “This makes it the first and best-available snapshot of enrollment trends outside of government exchanges.”