Study: Enrollees with subsidies to see premium increases next year

An analysis of next year’s premium rates for exchange-offered insurance benefits found those with subsidies could be paying more for healthcare coverage in 2015 if they don’t switch to new plans.

The analysis, which was conducted by Avalere Health, examined the premium rates already filed in nine states, and found the plans that cost the least during the first open enrollment period won’t be as affordable during the second. The report determined that since subsidies are tied to both income and benchmark plans, and there will be more competition this year, people could find themselves paying more for their healthcare coverage than they did this year.

Caroline Pearson, vice president at Avalere, suggested Americans be more attentive and savvy when they are looking at their insurance benefits options during the next open enrollment period.

“Consumers have to pay the difference if they enroll in a plan more expensive than the benchmark,” Pearson said. “Those receiving federal premium subsidies may need to switch plans in 2015 to avoid paying more than the limits established by the ACA, and the impact will be more profound for lower-income consumers.”

Kaiser Health News reported many people may not realize they should switch their plans, and some may simply choose to auto-enroll in their current plans to avoid having to go through the application process again.