Residents of New Hampshire may face premiums 60 percent higher than last year for their Affordable Care Act health plans, the New Hampshire Union Leader reported.
Lewiston-based Maine Community Health Options and Boston-based Minuteman Health requested the highest rate increases at 31.8 percent and 59.9 percent, respectively.
On the other end of the spectrum, Wellesley, Mass.-based Harvard Pilgrim Health Care requested increases between about 3 percent and 10.6 percent. Indianapolis-based Anthem requested the lowest rate change at a 0.4 percent decrease for off-exchange small group plans.
Rates will go into effect Jan. 1, pending approval.
Friday Minuteman sued the federal government over the $16.7 million it owes under the Affordable Care Act's risk adjustment program. While the insurer said it can make the payment, it expressed the payment harms consumers, small companies and tax payers.
In addition to the rate changes, New Hampshire is seeking a new Medicaid director to oversee the program's $1.4 billion budget. The program's previous director Katie Dunn, who served as director for 10 years, will become a senior policy advisor for a national health policy organization, the New Hampshire Union Leader reported. Deputy Medicaid Director Deborah Fournier will act as interim director during the replacement search.
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