Anthem, ConnectiCare To Keep Offering Obamacare Plans In Connecticut

Sept. 14--Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and ConnectiCare will continue to offer plans on the Access Health CT health exchange, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Wednesday.

The health insurers, both of which sold Obamacare coverage in Connecticut this year, had until Friday to tell the state's health insurance exchange whether they would continue to offer plans in 2018.

They pledged Wednesday to remain in the market.

"Consistent with this commitment to the individual marketplace, and recognizing the volatility that remains, we will continue to advocate for solutions that will create long-term stability for the market," Anthem said in a statement.

Attempts to reach ConnectiCare were unsuccessful.

"With President Trump and Republicans in Congress attempting to sabotage the American healthcare system, we are incredibly pleased that Anthem and ConnectiCare will be offering health insurance plans in 2018 through Access Health CT," Malloy said in a statement. "We appreciate their commitment to the tens of thousands of Connecticut residents who buy coverage though Access Health."

The Connecticut Insurance Department has approved double-digit rate increases for both companies, insurance commissioner Katharine L. Wade said Wednesday.

Anthem Health Plans, which covered 35,000 individuals on the exchange this year, sought an average 33.8 percent increase. The department approved an average 31.7 percent increase.

ConnectiCare, which covered about 51,000 individuals on the exchange, was looking to increase its rates by an average 17.5 percent and was approved for an average 27.7 percent increase.

About 42,400 state residents also bought individual plans off the exchange through CTCare Insurance Co. Those plans' rates may increase an average of 27.8 percent.

Several hundred people bought CTCare Inc.'s individual, off-exchange plans, whose rates will increase an average of 23.5 percent.

Anthem was the only insurer to offer plans on the exchange for small groups, defined as employers with up to 50 workers. The company, which covered about 45,000 people, can increase rates about 25.4 percent.

Average rate hikes varied greatly for small employers offering plans off the exchange, according to Wade's announcement.

Plans under HPHC Insurance Company, Inc., purchased by about 11,800 people this year, can increase about 24.9 percent.

CTCare Insurance Co., which covered about 55,500 people this year, can raise rates 12.7 percent.

Oxford Health Insurance, Inc., which covered about 12,500 people, will increase rates 14.6 percent.

And rates under Oxford Health Plans (CT), Inc., and CTCare Inc., will go up about 11 percent.

Some insurers were approved for more modest increases.

Under Aetna Life Insurance Company, which covered 15,500 people this year, rates are allowed to increase 3.9 percent.

The cost of plans under Harvard Pilgrim Health Care of CT can go up 6 percent. UnitedHealthcare Insurance Co. may increase rates 3.6 percent.

Open enrollment for 2018 begins on Nov. 1.

___

(c)2017 The Hartford Courant (Hartford, Conn.)

Visit The Hartford Courant (Hartford, Conn.) at www.courant.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.