Washington Health Insurance Exchange Update - Proposed Rates for 2015

The Washington Health Insurance Exchange recently released proposed health plans and rates for 2015.

According to the Washington State Insurance Commissioner's Office, 17 health insurers filed more than 230 individual health plans for 2015, to be offered both inside and outside the state-based Health Insurance Exchange, Washington Healthplanfinder. 

Twelve insurers filed 114 individual health plans for sale inside the Exchange. If approved, the number of Exchange plans would increase from 46 to 114. Currently, eight insurers offer individual health plans inside the Exchange.

WA Health Insurance Exchange - Proposed Carriers for 2015

The following carriers have proposed individual health plans:

1. Asuris Northwest Health (outside the Exchange only)
2. BridgeSpan Health Company
3. Columbia United Providers
4. Community Health Plan of Washington
5. Coordinated Care Corporation
6. Group Health Cooperative
7. Group Health Options, Inc. (outside the Exchange only)
8. Health Alliance Northwest Health Plan, Inc
9. Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Northwest
10. LifeWise Health Plan of Washington
11. Moda Health Plan, Inc.
12. Molina Healthcare of Washington, Inc.
13. Premera Blue Cross
14. Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon (outside the Exchange only)
15. Regence BlueShield (outside the Exchange only)
16. Time Insurance Company (outside the Exchange only)
17. UnitedHealthcare of Washington, Inc.

Chart Source: WA State Office of the Insurance Commissioner

WA Health Insurance Exchange - Proposed Plan Rates for 2015

The average proposed rate change for the individual market is 8.25%, the lowest requested average rate change in seven years according to the Commissioner. Here are the proposed average rate changes by carrier:

• Asuris Northwest Health +3.9%

• Bridgespan Health Company +1.7% 

• Columbia United Providers (New to Market)

• Community Health Plan of Washington +8.4%

• Coordinated Care Corporation +11.2%

• Group Health Cooperative +11.2%

• Group Health Options, Inc. +14.2%

• Health Alliance Northwest Health Plan, Inc. (New to Market)

• Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Northwest +.57%

• LifeWise Health Plan of Washington +8.9%

• Moda Health Plan, Inc. 0%

• Molina Healthcare of Washington, Inc. -6.8%

• Premera Blue Cross 8.1%

• Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon +9.5%

• Regence BlueShield +5.1%

• Time Insurance Company +26%

• United Healthcare of Washington, Inc. (New to Market)

Specific plan and rates can be found at the Commissioner's rate review database at www.insurance.wa.gov. 

The plans, provider networks, and rates are currently under a review process and will be finalized by early fall. Open enrollment for coverage in 2015 starts November 15, 2014. See: Timeline for 2015 Health Insurance Marketplace Plans and Rates.

Source: WA State Office of the Insurance Commissioner