North Carolinians brace for health care premium hikes amid shutdown deal

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- North Carolinians are preparing for potential health care premium increases as the House of Representatives passes a long-awaited spending bill to reopen the government.

Currently, there are over 975,000 North Carolinians enrolled in coverage through the health care marketplace, roughly 10% of the state population.

Nicholas Riggs, Director of the NC Navigator Consortium, which assists North Carolinians in finding marketplace coverage options, said that premiums are expected to rise significantly.

"Compared to last year, premiums on average are going to go up between two and three times the amount that they were paying last year," he said.

Riggs also noted that the impacts of these looming price increases are already being felt. Many of those seeking enrollment, including students and entrepreneurs, are opting for lower-tier plans. However, they will face higher out-of-pocket costs as a result.

This surge could lead to an additional cost of hundreds of dollars annually. Advocates have also cautioned that if people opt to exit the marketplace, it could drive up costs for all remaining participants.

"It's very difficult for a lot of folks that we serve. They tell us that additional cost creates tough financial decisions for them and their family," Riggs said.

Typically, they are serving people whose premiums are going from $100 to $350 per month, he said, making that extra $250 a significant burden.

The NC Navigator Consortium is urging individuals to enroll by the January 15th deadline, as the future of tax credits remains uncertain while Democrats work toward a deal.