by Donald Eng
HARTFORD, CT — U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal has added his name to the list of elected officials urging the Connecticut Insurance Department to reject proposed rate filings for four insurance companies that would mean a double-digit rate increase for more than 220,000 people.
Blumenthal, joined by Liz Dupont-Diehl, associate director of the Connecticut Citizen Action Group, said the proposed increases would burden working Americans who are already struggling with the rising costs of basic necessities.
“At a time when the cost of living is skyrocketing, a lot of people in Connecticut cannot afford basic necessities, we are now seeing health insurance companies asking for a humongous rate increase,” he said. “This increase is not just a little bit, it is huge — 16-18% rate increases on top of last year’s double digit rate increase.”
Consumers are paying more and getting less, he said.
Dupont-Diehl said CCAG hears from members every day who are battling with insurance companies and not getting the care they need.
“We call on (the Connecticut Insurance Department) and the state to reject these request increases and to make healthcare affordable,” she said. “Demand transparency around cost so we can see if prices are fair. Require the CID to consider affordability in approving rate increases. Lower healthcare prices, and make sure people have good coverage and access.”
Earlier this month, the department released the insurance rate filings for four health insurers for plans to be offered in individual and small group markets for plans both on and off the state-sponsored exchange, Access Health CT.
The rates, from Anthem, Connecticare, UnitedHealthcare and Connecticut Insurance, averaged a 16.2% increase for individual plans and 17,8% for small group plans. The full rate filings chart is available here.
According to the department, the carriers attributed the proposed increases to three factors: trend, experience and the ending of the enhanced federal subsidies.
Trend refers to the rising cost of prescription drugs and the increased demand for medical services. Experience reflects the adjustment necessary from the prior period to the current one.
The department noted that the proposed rates reflect the end of the federal enhanced subsidies and do not include any potential state assistance. Should either situation change, that would affect the proposed rates.The department said it would conduct actuarial reviews on each filing to determine if the increases are justified, and would approve, deny or modify the proposals and issue final decisions in September. The public comment period is open and will continue for the next four weeks. Comments can be submitted through the application portal.