Rate increases for 2020; Anthem will rejoin the exchange, average rate changes lower than past years.
As was the case in 2019, we will continue to see the cost-sharing reductions as well as lower deductibles and out of pocket maximums for on-exchange silver plans for 2020.
And good news for people in Northern Maine, Anthem’s filings stated that the insurer will return to the exchange in Maine.
The Maine Bureau of Insurance’s website is showing the following approved average rate changes for 2019:
- Anthem: a 4.3 percent DECREASE
- Community Health Options: 0.9 percent increase
- Harvard Pilgrim: 2.1 percent increase
CO-OP still operational
Maine is one of 23 states where a Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan (CO-OP) health plan was established under the ACA. 19 have not survived, although the CO-OP in Maine (Community Health Options, or CHO) is one of four that are still operating.
While CHO has struggled financially over the past few years they are entering 2020 with a sense of hope. The Maine Bureau of Insurance has been publishing monthly reports on CHO’s status since March 2016. You can see them all here.
