Salt Lake City, Utah- (ABC4 Utah) – We are getting a first look at pricing and subsidies for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act for next year.
Premiums are up, but subsidies are following suit, and most Utahns on the exchange qualify for the monthly assistance.
The congressional battle over the ACA is on hold, but it isn’t over.
“We are going to have to come back and address health reform at some point. The reality is, that Obamacare has injured or hurt millions of Americans. It’s unsustainable, it is actually in a death spiral, the funding of it is insufficient,” said Representative Chris Stewart, (R) Utah.
The uncertainty has taken a toll on the controversial health law. Premiums are up, CSR payments to carriers have been stopped and insurers continue to bail on the exchange.
Lloyd Coleman with Clarity Insurance says most Utahns with an ACA plan won’t even notice.
“There’s still some really good options. In fact, most people will find that they have the same plan, at the same rate they have this year or even lower,” said Coleman.
That’s because as premiums rise, subsidies to help people pay for insurance are keeping pace.
That’s good news for the 86% of the 172,000 Utahns on the exchange who qualify.
Not so much for those who don’t, but Coleman says even they may be able to find a better deal.
“There are some special plans for those that don’t get subsidies, and there is also some new Bronze plans available that give them some great coverage, really close to Silver at a lower cost. So, there are some strategies and new plans that really can make sense for them,” Coleman said.
Insurance brokers and navigators can help find the right plan for you at no additional charge.
Open enrollment is shorter this year. It begins on November 1, 2017, and closes on December 15, 2017.
