ACA rates in Illinois mixed for next year

Three of the five insurers participating in the Affordable Care Act exchange in Illinois are proposing rate decreases next year, while the other two plan to boost rates by more than 5 percent, according to preliminary filings with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Last year, most plans decreased rates.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois proposed rate decreases for three of its product lines in the exchange, ranging from 1.4 percent to 2.8 percent. It proposed a 1.1 percent increase for one product.

Spokeswoman Colleen Miller could not go into specifics on the proposals until approved, but did say the insurer continues to “strive to make our products as affordable as possible while finding the right balance of consumer affordability and market certainty.”

“We’ve filed rates for 2020 and again intend to offer coverage both on and off the exchange in every county of the state,” she said.

Celtic Insurance Company plans a rate decrease of 1 percent for one of its products while the other product will remain around the same price.

Health Alliance Medical Plans is looking to decrease premiums by 7.9 percent and 2.3 percent for its two exchange offerings.

Meanwhile, Cigna has proposed a 5.8 percent increase for its sole Illinois product, while Quartz has proposed a 5.3 percent increase for its product.