Actuaries on Stabilizing the 2018 Individual Health Insurance Market: The Time for Policymakers to Act Is Now

WASHINGTON, April 24 -- The American Academy of Actuaries issued the following news release:

Serious challenges to the stability and sustainability of the individual health insurance market for 2018 need immediate attention from federal policymakers, the Health Practice Council of the American Academy of Actuaries warns in an issue brief (http://www.actuary.org/content/steps-toward-more-sustainable-individual-health-insurance-market) published and sent to all members of Congress today.

"With the deadlines for insurer rate filings fast approaching, policymakers need to act soon to address individual market issues for next year," said Academy Senior Health Fellow Cori Uccello. "The consumers, insurers, and health care providers in the individual market will all be affected by whether and how these challenges are addressed."

Steps Toward a More Sustainable Individual Health Insurance Market describes how individual market stability, including insurer decisions on whether and to what extent to participate in the market for 2018, hinges on:

* Continued funding of cost-sharing reduction (CSR) reimbursements.

* Enforcement of the individual responsibility penalty.

* Increased external funding aimed at lowering premiums, increasing enrollment, and improving the risk pool.

* Avoiding legislative or regulatory actions that could increase uncertainty or threaten stability.