ACA rates slightly increase for 2021

The average cost of Affordable Care Act insurance premiums is increasing by about 3% next year, according to state insurance regulators, which released their annual list of approved health insurance plans on Friday afternoon.

The average per person premium will increase from $597 to $616, according to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation.

The rates include projections from the impact of the pandemic, including delayed claims and additional costs related to COVID-19.

There were no changes in premiums for this year. There was a 5% increase the year before and 45% increase in 2018.

Ten insurance companies are offering individual plans on and off the marketplace next year, compared with nine this year.

The newcomer to the marketplace is AvMed, which has been offering only off-marketplace plans. AvMed plans will not be available in Central Florida.

Although the rates are locked at the state level, they still have to be finalized by the Department of Health and Human Services and could change in the coming months, state insurance regulators say.

Open enrollment for ACA runs from Nov. 1 to Dec. 15.

Here’s a list of 2021 marketplace insurers by county in Central Florida:

Lake: Florida Blue, Bright Health, Celtic (Ambetter), Health Options, Oscar

Orange: Florida Blue, Bright Health, Celtic (Ambetter), Health Options, Molina, Oscar

Osceola: Florida Blue, Bright Health, Celtic (Ambetter), Health Options, Molina, Oscar

Seminole: Florida Blue, Bright Health, Celtic (Ambetter), Florida Health Care Plan, Health First Commercial Plans, Health Options, Molina, Oscar

nmiller@orlandosentinel.com.

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