Are healthcare costs going up in Virginia next year?

May 05--Two of the insurance companies that participate in Affordable Care Act exchanges in Virginia are seeking clearance for large increases in premiums for next year, according to an article in The Hill newspaper.

Cigna and CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield are two of seven insurers that offer policies under what is known as Obamacare. Cigna and CareFirst were among the first three to post filing requests -- the third, Optima, has requested a 5 percent decrease.

According to The Hill, Cigna and CareFirst said Trump administration policies, including the repeal of the individual mandate, led to their proposed increases.

Cigna said it anticipates sicker people entering the market, a result of the individual mandate being repealed. Cigna also cited "anticipated changes to regulations" involving short-term plans and association health plans as a reason for the requests, The Hill reported.

Virginia's U.S. senators, Democrats Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, blamed the administration, saying in a joint statement, "these proposed price increases are a painful consequence of the Trump Administration's efforts to sabotage the health insurance market and dismantle the Affordable Care Act."

They also blamed House and Senate Republicans, saying "their irresponsible games are hurting Virginians by making it harder for families to afford health care."

"We hope our colleagues will take this seriously and pass bipartisan legislation to stabilize the marker and make sure Virginians have affordable options for health insurance in 2019," the senators said in their statement.

CareFirst requested a 64 percent increase, according to The Hill. The insurer has about 4,500 customers in Virginia. Cigna is proposing an average premium hike of 15 percent for its 103,264 customers, The Hill reported.

There was one important qualifying note by The Hill: the proposed increases might not be what Virginia officials approve in the end.

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