Hefty health insurance increases hit Vermonters for third year in a row
Vermont Public
Come November, when more than 70,000 Vermonters are expected to get health insurance through the state marketplace, they’ll find the sticker prices for those plans are a lot more expensive.
Premiums are going up by double digits, for the third year in a row — between 14 and 20% for MVP Health Plan and BlueCross BlueShield of Vermont.
That’s a lot higher than in most other states: Most proposed premium changes for next year are around 7%, following a 6% increase last year, according to the health care research and news organization, KFF.
For most people who buy health insurance directly, not through an employer, increased federal subsidies available next year should keep prices in check.
“People are going to have to pay less premiums, and in many cases, people are going to be able to get into a richer plan, with lower out-of-pocket costs,” said Mike Fisher, the state’s healthcare advocate, speaking on Vermont Edition Monday.