ACA Individual Plan Rate Filing Results

The Connecticut Department of Insurance has reviewed and approved the rate filings as follows:

Anthem Health Plans - Approved average is 8.8%

ConnectiCare Insurance Company Inc. (parent company- Molina) - Approved average is 16%

This does NOT mean that your particular plan will increase by that amount. Factors that play into the premium cost include: age, county, income (if subsidized), family size, etc.

Be prepared for higher premium rates for 2027. No guarantee on the CT temporary financial assistance. 2026 open enrollment was rough; many members lost their enhanced tax credits and were faced with unaffordable premiums. With the CT governor up for re-election, the 2027 CT temporary premium assistance program is uncertain. We may not know details until the end of open enrollment or later.

• Start planning your strategy, whether you are looking for a subsidy or not

Access Health sends out renewal notices and will advise you if you will auto renew.

You always have to option to choose a different plan for the upcoming year. You are not locked in.

• Think differently about health insurance - think catastrophic and pay more out of pocket

• Talk to your financial advisor, accountant or tax planner about how you can pair a health insurance plan with a Health Savings Account (HSA). With the federal legislative changes, any catastrophic or Bronze level plan is now eligible to be paired with an HSA. Read more on the IRS.gov website.

• Paying more doesn't necessarily get you more value for the additional premium

• Don't over-insure - buying a Gold level plan isn't always necessary

• Have a goal: what kind of coverage do I need? What are my "must have" benefits?

For example, elective surgery and hospital maternity costs may necessitate a different type of coverage

Actuaries play a role in pricing insurance. Affordability is not their primary objective. Protecting the company from risk (claims) is their objective.

Insurance companies are not in business to lose money!

• You can prepay for services with higher premiums or "pay as you go"

• Health insurance is not home or auto insurance

We don't buy home or auto insurance planning to make a claim. We hope we don't have to.

Health insurance can't be priced according to unlimited usage with no oversight or managed care features.

• If you are planning to ask for subsidies, have your financial projection for 2027 handy for your annual enrollment meeting.

Please understand that plans and benefits can vary year to year. Deductibles can go up and so can copays. Extras like dental and vision can be added to a plan but keep in mind the coverage varies by plan and you have to pay attention to in network vs out of network coverage

Buckle up, it's going to be another bumpy year.