News

Maine individual insurers seek 9 percent rate hike

Maine individual insurers seek 9 percent rate hike

Photo: clipart.com


PORTLAND, Maine (AP) _ Two insurers on Maine’s individual health insurance market are requesting lower-than-expected rate increases for 2019.

Portland Press Herald reports the insurers are requesting average rate increases of over 9 percent in 2019.

Higher federal subsidies could help 85 percent of policyholders who could be impacted. Nearly 76,700 Mainers had individual Affordable Care Act coverage in the first quarter of 2018, down 10 percent from 2017.

Massachusetts-based Harvard Pilgrim Health Care is asking for an average premium increase of 9.5 percent for its individual plans on Maine’s ACA marketplace in 2019.

Lewiston-based Community Health Options is requesting an average premium increase of 9.2 percent for its individual plans.

The rate increases could be smaller if the state revives its reinsurance program. If so, Anthem says it could rejoin Maine’s individual marketplace.

Latest Headlines

13 hours ago in Local

Parents Speak Out Against Trans Student on Basketball Team.

During a meeting of the St George Select board on Tuesday, the parents of a town on the mid-coast spoke out against a transgender student on the basketball team.

14 hours ago in Local

Maine’s Amy Allen Earns Another Grammy Nomination for Songwriting

Maine’s Amy Allen is nominated for Songwriter of the Year at the Grammys—again! She won the award earlier this year and could take home another trophy in February.

14 hours ago in Local

Sebago Woman Scammed by Contractor Gets Surprise Help from Local Businesses

After being scammed out of $5,000 for a driveway, a Sebago woman got an incredible surprise: local businesses stepped in to finish the job for free.

14 hours ago in Local

Hundreds of Workers Temporarily Laid Off as Woodland Pulp Shuts Down

Hundreds of workers are facing temporary layoffs at Woodland Pulp in Baileyville. The mill has shut down until mid-December, citing market challenges. Maine officials are stepping in to help affected employees.

1 day ago in Local

Portland police say parents won’t press charges after student grabbed while walking to school

No charges are expected after an eighth-grade student at King Middle School in Portland was grabbed by the wrist by an unknown person while walking to school on Thursday.