Texas' largest health insurer — Blue Cross and Blue Shield — is requesting premium hikes of almost 60 percent for certain 2017 Affordable Care Act plans, according to the Houston Chronicle.
Filings on HealthCare.gov show the insurer is asking for an increase of between 57.33 percent and 59.35 percent for two of its Blue Advantage Plus plans, as well as a 58.6 percent increase for its Blue Advantage HMO plan.
The requested hikes are likely attributable to BCBS of Texas' $321 million in losses on last year's individual ACA plans.
Approximately 603,000 ACA enrollees in Texas would be affected by the change, but the requests have quite a way to go before they're officially approved. The Texas Department of Insurance must ensure they comply with state laws. After that, HHS will review the requests and approve or deny them.