MNsure: Expect An Average Hike Of 4.5 Percent In 2015
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The cost of getting health insurance through MNsure next year is going up -- but it will still be among the lowest in the country.
Minnesotans who get insurance through the state's health exchange can enroll for next year beginning Nov. 15.
Even though the rates are low for some people, others could see big rate hikes.
MNsure will offer 150 separate plans at different costs depending on where you live.
The average rate hike is 4.5 percent, and Minnesota Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman says the Twin Cities' premiums are lowest in the nation.
"We were the lowest last year, and we are the lowest this year," Rothman said.
Five health care companies will offer plans next year: Blue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Plus, HealthPartners, Medica and UCare.
The 4.5 percent-average rate hike is only an average. Some consumers will see premiums go down by nine percent. And many might get sticker shock: their monthly payments could rise 17.5 percent.
And there's one big glitch. Preferred One dropped out of MNsure, and thousands of Preferred One customers must buy new policies.
"While Preferred One's decision may cause an inconvenience, to say the least, to say the very least, you will have more product choices from very good companies at the lowest rates in the nation," Rothman said.
Republican critics, like minority leader Sen. David Hann, remain highly skeptical. They say the Democratic Dayton administration is massaging the numbers.
"I think the four-and-a-half-percent increase is completely bogus," Hann said. "It is deceptive."
But Gov. Mark Dayton, who's running for re-election, says the health exchange is working the way it is supposed to.
"I realize that you're 34 days before an election, but it is permissible to actually recognize and even, you know, applaud good news," Dayton said.
State officials Wednesday were not able to tell us the number of Minnesotans who will get lower rates through MNsure, and how many will see their premiums go up.
That's a big, missing piece of the puzzle because most Minnesotans chose the lowest cost plans -- and those rates are going up the highest of all.