Two remaining insurers hike rates by 50-75 percent

[TexasTowelie]

After months of health insurer exits from the Affordable Care Act marketplace in Arizona, state regulators have approved plans from two companies that will be the only marketplace insurance providers next year.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona will sell marketplace plans in every county except Maricopa County in 2017. The Phoenix-based insurer's average rates will increase 51 percent, Arizona Department of Insurance filings show.

Maricopa County residents only option will be Centene Corp., which said it will sell its "Ambetter" plans. State regulators approved a 74.5 percent increase for Centene/Ambetter plans.

The amount people pay will vary depending on factors such as age, coverage levels and income that determine whether an individual qualifies for subsidies that help offset the cost of monthly premiums. Nearly 7 in 10 Arizonans with a marketplace plan get subsidized coverage.

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/story/money/business/health/2016/10/19/obamacare-arizona-two-remaining-health-insurers-hike-rates-by-half-and-three-fourth/92374528/

[Dustlawyer]

1. I predicted this would happen because that's what insurance companies do!

I am grateful for the ACA for taking away pre-existing conditions, but it is only a temporary solution which seems to be running it's course.

[riversedge]

2. I do think Hillary will have health care has one of her major items she will have to

work on once she is in office. I do not think it will be pretty.

[HassleCat]

4. This is why ACA needs to be improved.

When ACA passed, we knew it was a weak deal, less than half a loaf, and responsibility for this rests partially so-called "Democrats" who refused to support it until it was weakened.