Blue Cross of NC seeks 35 percent rate hike on Affordable Care plans
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- Changes are on the way for thousands of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina customers in 2016.
On Thursday, the insurance provider announced its revising its Affordable Care Act rate filing to an average increase of 34.6 percent. This would be for individual customers under the age of 65 with ACA plans. This would not impact you if you get insurance through your employer, small group, or if you have a grandfathered-in plan.
The original increase was supposed to be 25.7 percent, but the insurer said it had to revise after experiencing a higher than expected number of claims. In a blog BCBSNC posted that explains the changes, it said it's seen more claims for chronic illness. It also says those claims continue to rise faster than they did in 2014.
BCBSNC further explained that when the Affordable Care Act launched, industry and government experts said it would take time to feel its full impact on health care costs. Now, as we look forward to 2016 we are getting that clearer picture.
Originally industry experts expected a leveling out of medical spending, but according to BCBSNC, that has not been the case.
The provider also announced it's reducing the availability of the Blue Advantage and Blue Select plans. That will affect 55,000 people in 16 counties. That will include their Raleigh and Durham markets. This change will apply only to those who buy their own insurance.
