MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Premiums are expected to rise an average of nearly 16 percent next year for Wisconsin health insurance plans on the Affordable Care Act exchange, according to the state insurance commissioner.
About 224,000 people are insured through the exchange in Wisconsin.
“While increases for Wisconsinites are lower than many other states, these rate changes and the recent exiting of numerous national carriers make it even more important for individuals to actively explore their health insurance options to ensure appropriate coverage,” Commissioner Ted Nickel said in a statement.
Large national insurers, including Aetna, Humana and United Healthcare, are pulling out of several markets around the country next year.
Nickel doesn’t agree with a new policy in which the federal government will assign the consumer a new health insurer if their current insurer pulls out of the exchange if the consumer doesn’t choose a plan on their own.
In order to ensure enrollment, the consumer’s personal information would be sent from one insurer to the other insurer without the person’s consent.
“We continue to believe the ACA’s new auto re-enrollment ignores centuries of contract law, is a violation of numerous Wisconsin consumer protection laws, and, most importantly, is harmful to Wisconsin consumers,” said Commissioner Nickel. “Despite our concerns, the federal government is still moving forward with auto re-enrollment. However, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has now provided an opportunity for consumers to opt-out. We strongly encourage consumers to protect their privacy by taking advantage of this option.”
Enrollment on the federal exchange begins Nov. 1 for coverage starting Jan. 1.
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