More Favorable Data on Health Insurance Premiums Coming In....

A new analysis done by Avalere Health suggests that consumer's costs for health insurance may indeed be dropping via the new exchanges. Looking at data available from nine states, (CA, CO, CT, OH, OR, RI, VT and WA)  where the average cost for Silver Plans was (in some cases) running 20-25% lower than the CBO expected. This is big news on two fronts. First, its a smaller than expected cost out of pocket for many consumers, secondly, the Federal Government will use the second lowest premium to set its subsidy rates, which will effect thousands of people.

Nothing reverses the trend and expectation that younger healthy people will likely pay more for their health insurance going forward. If its any solace to this market, they'll be purchasing far better and comprehensive coverage than what their money bought them before. Subsidies still apply to this group based on income, so it may be a bit of a wash in the end.

The state insurance exchanges are expected to go live sometime in October, 2013....

Sources:

http://www.avalerehealth.net/

http://www.avalerehealth.net/news/spotlight/20130619_Avalere_Exchange_Rate_Analysis.pdf