The Kaiser Family Foundation has published an in-depth analysis of rate hikes and their actual likely effects on users in the 2016 federal ACA marketplace (healthcare.gov).
Crunching the data for all of the counties in 36 states* in which last year's cheapest silver plan can be compared to this year's, Kaiser highlights the savings that many if not most current enrollees can realize by switching plans. The study focuses on the lowest-cost silver plan in each county, because those are the most popular plans. Among the key findings:
Crunching the data for all of the counties in 36 states* in which last year's cheapest silver plan can be compared to this year's, Kaiser highlights the savings that many if not most current enrollees can realize by switching plans. The study focuses on the lowest-cost silver plan in each county, because those are the most popular plans. Among the key findings:
- The average unsubsidized premium for the lowest-cost silver plan for a 40 year-old in 2016 is 7% higher than for the cheapest silver plan in 2015.
- In 73% of counties examined, last year's cheapest silver plan is not this year's.
- The premium for last year's cheapest silver plan will rise an average of 10% for a 40 year-old earning $30,000, and 28% for a 40 year-old earning $20,000.
