Home / Business and Economy / CT Health Rates Soar: Insurers Blame Mandates, Officials Outraged
CT Health Rates Soar: Insurers Blame Mandates, Officials Outraged
27 Aug
Summary
- Insurers proposed average 16.2% rate hikes for 2027 plans.
- Proposed increases affect about 6% of Connecticut's population.
- Officials and residents criticized insurers' profit margins amidst hikes.
Connecticut residents are bracing for significant health insurance rate increases, with insurers proposing an average hike of 16.2% for 2027 plans. These proposed increases primarily affect individual and small group markets on the Access Health CT exchange, impacting approximately 6% of the state's population.
During a public information session in Hartford, state officials and affected residents voiced strong opposition. Insurance Commissioner Josh Hershman acknowledged the broader issues driving up medical costs for everyone, even as these specific hikes targeted a smaller segment. He described the situation as "insane and not sustainable."
Insurers like Anthem, ConnectiCare, and UnitedHealthcare attributed the rate increases to factors such as rising drug costs, increased utilization of behavioral health services, and new state coverage mandates. Specific mandates mentioned included coverage for scalp-cooling treatments for cancer patients, infertility, and PANDAS.
However, critics, including Attorney General William Tong and state lawmakers, challenged these justifications. They highlighted substantial profits reported by insurers' parent companies and urged the Insurance Department to reject the proposed increases, arguing the system fails to provide affordable healthcare. Residents also passionately defended coverage mandates, stating they save lives and ultimately reduce costs.
