Posted: 09/22/2014 12:56:19 PM MDT
Updated: 09/22/2014 12:56:27 PM MDT
State regulators have approved more than 1,000 health insurance plans offered by 20 carriers for 2015 that, on average, will increase premiums 1.18 percent over last year.
Mountain resorts and other West Slope rural communities, historically stuck with the most expensive health premiums, benefitted from the Division of Insurance's consolidation of two rating areas into one. Their 2015 rates will decrease by an average of 7.44 percent across all carriers.
Likewise, the consolidation of eastern plains communities and southern rural areas resulted in a 5.01 percent drop in their average premiums.
'This past year, the premiums in the mountain areas of Colorado have been a concern for many,' insurance commissioner Marguerite Salazar said in a press release. 'We are encouraged to see carriers such as Anthem and the Colorado Health-Op working with health-care providers in the mountain areas to develop more affordable insurance options for 2015.'
Areas that had enjoyed some of the lowest premiums, the Greeley and Fort Collins areas, will see average premium increases of 4.57 percent and 5.26 percent, respectively.
The premium increase of 1.18 percent for 2015 breaks down into two components. Individual plan premiums will increase by 0.71 percent in 2015. Small group plans will see an average increase of 2.54 percent over last year.
As part of its role under the Affordable Care Act, the division is charged with reviewing and approving plans to be sold both on and off the state health insurance exchange.
Electa Draper: 303-954-1276, edraper@denverpost.com or http://twitter.com/electadraper Related Stories Discussion ()
( John Leyba, The Denver Post)
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