No Rate Shock Seen In Proposed 2014 Premiums In Vermont

After years of anticipation, Vermont became the first state Monday to publish proposed 2014 individual health insurance rates under the federal health law. Despite Republican and insurers’ predictions, there was no “rate shock” in the new premiums, according to the Vermont governor’s office and insurance representatives.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont and MVP Health Care submitted plans with monthly premiums that range from an average of $265 for catastrophic coverage for young adults to $609 for platinum coverage, which has the lowest cost-sharing among four categories of plans.

“We think this is a positive development for folks who were worried about what rates would look like in 2014,” said Kevin Goddard, spokesman for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont, which is the state’s dominant commercial carrier, controlling about two-thirds of the market. He confirmed rates are similar to what the company now offers.

Read the full story here: http://bit.ly/YWCbGm

Source: Kaiser Health News