Health Connector tells some consumers to look elsewhere for plans
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Massachusetts Health Connector spokesman Jason Lefferts, left, makes an open enrollment tour stop in Worcester on Monday ahead of 2018 open enrollment, which begins Nov. 1.
With cost-sharing reduction payments from the federal government slipping away, Massachusetts Health Connector officials are encouraging those who don’t qualify for subsidies to shop around in order to escape large premium increases in 2018.
The increases are expected to impact up to 80,000 unsubsidized members of health insurance plans through the state insurance exchange, according to a statement from the Health Connector. Premiums will increase an average of 18 percent in order to make up for lost cost-sharing reduction payments.
In an interview on Monday during a visit to Worcester promoting open enrollment, Health Connector spokesman Jason Lefferts said increases will be dealt with through a tax credit for those who qualify based on income, but those who don’t meet income guidelines must shop for the most affordable plans on the exchange, or go off the exchange to buy individual insurance directly from carriers. Lefferts said most carriers offer similar plans to be sold directly to consumers without the scheduled premium increases.
Cost-sharing reduction payments were paid by the federal government directly to insurance plans to help curb premium costs, but President Donald Trump announced earlier this month those will be eliminated.
Open enrollment runs from Nov. 1 to Jan. 23.
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