Anthem will sell insurance on Missouri exchange in 2018 — at least for now

June 19--Anthem Inc. said Monday it will sell coverage on the health insurance exchange in Missouri in 2018.

However, Anthem warned that it could adjust that decision, or any aspect of it, as the year goes on.

The Indianapolis-based company, which currently provides Blue Cross Blue Shield plans in 14 states, said it may laterdecide to further raise rates, reduce its footprint or stop selling individual plans altogether.

The news comes just two days before insurers are expected to file rates with federal regulators. Those filings will show where carriers intend to operate and how much they plan to charge consumers. Anthem will file its rates this week with regulators.

While Anthem signaled that the rates it will charge for plans on HealthCare.gov are rising in Missouri, a spokeswoman declined to specify by how much.

"We filed rates in Missouri that reflect the increases in the cost of delivering medical services coupled with pharmacy expenses and overall increased use of health care services by Missouri members in (Affordable Care Act) plans," according to an email statement provided to the Post-Dispatch.

Anthem said the rates reflect the assumption that subsidies will be available to help extend coverage to consumers with low incomes who probably could not otherwise afford coverage. The statement indicated that without the subsidies, other changes may have to be made.

Anthem currently offers individual plans in 85 of Missouri's 114 counties and the city of St. Louis.

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