Regence exits individual market in 19 Washington counties, 57,000 members affected
Nearly 57,000 Regence members have to find new health plans as the insurer pulls out of 19 counties in Washington state, citing the unsettled, unstable and uncertain individual market in the U.S.
Regence BlueShield of Washington, which is owned by Cambia Health Solutions, will only offer individual plans in three counties next year: Columbia, Walla Walla and Yakima. The insurer will also no longer offer any individual health plans through Washington's health insurance exchange, Healthplanfinder. Regence had slightly more than 400,000 enrollees in 2015, the last year data is available.
"We are supporting our members through this transition and we will help them find alternative health plans," Regence BlueShield spokeswoman Jennifer Morgan said in a statement. "We understand this is difficult news for our affected members and we are reaching out to them to make sure they know their options and to help them choose from several other plans available in Washington state."
This comes as Regence is requesting a 30 percent increase in premiums for next year and at a time of uncertainty around the fate of the Affordable Care Act that has has left many hospitals and health insurers on edge.
https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2017/07/17/regence-exits-individual-market-in-19-washington.html?ana=e_sea_bn&u=ColXVN5SPzQtLHFP87ho2w07857290&t=1500336412&j=78562381
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