ANCHORAGE, AK – Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska  has reduced the rate increase from 9.8% to 7.8% for 2017 individual metallic plans and the Alaska Division of Insurance has approved this filing.

The rate increase is significantly lower than past rate increases for 2015 and 2016. This is due to recent action by the Alaska State Legislature to create a state-based reinsurance program that stabilizes rates by spreading high medical costs across a broader base. Had the legislature not passed the reinsurance legislation, Premera’s 2017 rate increase request would have been more than 40 percent, based on medical claims data from 2015.

With Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield being the only remaining insurance carrier offering plans on the Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM) for 2017, it is imperative consumers understand their options and how they will be impacted.

The rate increases will not impact individual’s health insurance coverage until January 1, 2017. Enroll Alaska is available to be a resource to all Alaskans and will walk individuals through the enrollment process. There are no fees to applicants or clients for our professional services.

Additionally, the Federal Poverty Level for Alaska is also increasing. This has the potential to affect the subsidy amount individuals will be eligible for in 2017. Discontinuation notices may be sent to members for various reasons, to include plan name changes and significant premium increases. This will require individuals to act and select a new plan or renew the existing plan during Open Enrollment, which runs from November 1, 2016 to January 31, 2017.

We encourage individuals to call Enroll Alaska with any inquiries at 907-770-5100 or 1-888-385-5550.

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