MNsure rates among nation's lowest despite 4.5% increase

Oct 3 2014

Many assumed the exit of PreferredOne, the cheapest option in the state insurance marketplace, would push rates higher, but state officials say the premiums are still among the lowest in the country. Meanwhile, Colorado officials urge consumers to shop around to get the best insurance deals there.

MinnPost: With 4.5% Average Increase, MNsure Rates To Remain Lowest In Nation
Rates on the state-run health insurance exchange MNsure will increase an average of 4.5 percent across the state next year, but Minnesota will still have the lowest rates in the nation. It was welcome news from state officials Wednesday for supporters of MNsure, after the cheapest option on the exchange, PreferredOne, recently announced it would not offer policies in the 2015 exchange. Many assumed the exit would push rates in Minnesota higher than those in other states. The four plans that will continue offering coverage in the exchange -; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, HealthPartners, Medica and UCare -; will also be joined by Blue Plus in 2015, a Blue Cross Affiliate, state officials announced (Bierschbach, 10/1).

Minnesota Public Radio: New MNsure Rates Fuel Political Fight
The release today of new 2015 rates for Minnesota's health insurance exchange did nothing to quiet the ongoing partisan disagreement over MNsure. Democrats hailed the 4.5 percent average rate increase as proof that free-market competition works, while Republicans called the numbers deceptive (Pugmire, 10/1).

Minneapolis Star-Tribune: MNsure Premiums To Increase In 2015
The cost of insurance on the MNsure health exchange is on the rise, state officials said Wednesday, though premium rates in the Twin Cities will remain lower than in many parts of the country. The average premium increase for companies continuing to offer policies on MNsure next year will be 4.5 percent, according to numbers released Wednesday by the state Commerce Department (Snowbeck, 10/1).

Minnesota Public Radio: 4.5% Average Hike In 2015 MNsure Health Plan Rates
Costs for health plans offered through MNsure are expected to rise an average 4.5 percent for 2015, officials with the health exchange said Wednesday. Premiums will be the lowest of any in the nation and there will be more choices when the new enrollment period launches Nov. 15, the Commerce Department said (Pugmire and Sepic, 10/1).

Health News Colorado: Consumer Advocates, State Regulators Reject 19 Percent Insurance Hike
Consumer advocates say careful rate review will save Coloradans millions on health insurance next year, but they warned people to shop around and ask questions as they renew old plans or hunt for new ones starting next month (Kerwin McCrimmon, 10/1).