Newhouse, McMorris Rodgers Respond to Insurance Rate Increase Requests in Washington State for 2018

Rate increase requests as high as 38 percent follow decrease in number of insurers and plans for 2018

SPOKANE, WA (June 19, 2017) – Today, Reps Dan Newhouse (W-04) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) released the following statement after insurance rate increase requests were filed in Washington state for 2018:
 
“Today, Washington state released its proposed plans and premiums for 2018, and Washingtonians are again facing higher health insurance costs and decreasing options in the individual marketplace – including zero plans in two counties. Proposed premium increases statewide reach as high as 38 percent. Despite state efforts to prop up this flawed, unstable law, it is clear that Obamacare is on an unsustainable path in our state. We refuse to allow this failed government-knows-best approach to healthcare to cause more damage, and are committed to working with our colleagues in Congress to ensure Washingtonians have access to the quality, affordable health insurance that they deserve.”
 
On June 8^th, eleven health insurers filed 71 plans for Washington state’s 2018 individual health insurance market, down from 13 insurers offering 154 plans in 2017. In two counties in Washington, Grays Harbor and Klickitat, no insurer filed individual plans for 2018. Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Pend Oreille, and San Juan counties will all have only insurer offering coverage plans on the exchange.
 
Insurance rate increase requests for 2018 according to information provided by the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner:
 
ASURIS NORTHWEST HEALTH is requesting a rate change of 31%.

BRIDGESPAN HEALTH COMPANY is requesting a rate change of 23%.

COORDINATED CARE CORPORATION is requesting a rate change of 29.3%.

HEALTH ALLIANCE NORTHWEST HEALTH PLAN is requesting a rate change of 14.6%.

KAISER FOUNDATION HEALTH PLAN OF THE NORTHWEST is requesting a rate change of 12.91%. 

KAISER FOUNDATION HEALTH PLAN OF WASHINGTON is requesting a rate change of 12.9%.

LIFEWISE HEALTH PLAN OF WASHINGTON is requesting a rate change of *either 9.7% or 21.6%.

MOLINA HEALTHCARE OF WASHINGTON INC is requesting a rate change of 38.49%.

PREMERA BLUE CROSS is requesting a rate change of 27.7%.

REGENCE BLUESHIELD is requesting a rate change of 30%.

REGENCE BLUECROSS BLUESHIELD OF OREGON is requesting a rate change of 30.9%.

*Information provided by Office of the Insurance Commissioner.