Report shows lower than expected premiums in new Delaware Health Insurance Marketplace

WILMINGTON, Del. — This week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced lower than expected premiums in the new Health Insurance Marketplace in Delaware. In this new report, HHS found that in Delaware consumers will see increased competition in the Health Insurance Marketplace, leading to new and more affordable choices for consumers. The Delaware Department of Insurance released the rate and plan information last week.

“This is good news for Delaware families and businesses,” said U.S. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del).  “This report confirms what we had hoped and expected when crafting the Affordable Care Act – that by harnessing market forces we could provide Delawareans and Americans with access to higher quality health insurance which would in turn lead to better health outcomes that could save lives and reduce costs. By leveraging the power of large purchasing pools we’re finally able to give consumers what they want and need – real choices in the health insurance market place. Delawareans – including me and my family — will have 19 different plans to choose from and many Delawareans will also qualify for federal financial assistance to help further reduce the cost of purchasing insurance. Beginning next week, Delawareans will be able to enroll in a health insurance plan that best meets their needs, with coverage starting as early as Jan. 1, 2014.”

According to the information released by the Department of Insurance, insurance premiums on Delaware’s marketplace will be similar to insurance rates throughout the country, which is a step forward for Delaware since health insurance premiums have often been more expensive in our state relative to other states given our relatively smaller population and higher health care costs.  For example, many young Delawareans under age 30 may be able to find higher quality health insurance plans for around $200 and for those individuals who benefit from tax credits, insurance premiums may cost less than $100.  For individuals who are age 30 or older, the premiums for bronze level plans will begin around $200 and for silver level plans, premiums will start at $224, which may become less expensive for thousands of Delawareans because of tax credits and cost-sharing protections. While the insurance premiums can vary significantly based on an individual’s income level, family size, age, and tobacco use, Delawareans owe it to themselves and their families to explore the insurance plan options available on the Delaware marketplace, available at ChooseHealthDE.com, to see if they qualify for more affordable health insurance.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has also reviewed the insurance premiums for the Delaware marketplace and determined that as a result of federal premium assistance and the expansion of Medicaid, thousands of Delawareans who are uninsured today may be able to find a higher quality and more comprehensive health insurance plan for $100 or less per month in the Marketplace.

On Oct. 1, the new Health Insurance Marketplace will be open for business, allowing thousands of Delawareans and millions of Americans to shop for and purchase health insurance coverage in one place.  Consumers will be able to find out whether they qualify for premium assistance and compare health insurance plans side-by-side based on pricing, quality and benefits.  No one can be denied coverage because of a preexisting condition.  Oct. 1 marks the beginning of a six-month long open enrollment period that runs through March 2014.  Coverage begins as early as January 1, 2014.

Delaware consumers can get help finding Marketplace coverage at Choosehealthde.com or by calling 1-800-318-2596.  The HHS report is available at: http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/2013/MarketplacePremiums/ib_marketplace_premiums.cfm.