ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Department of Commerce on Monday released final rates for the 2018 individual insurance market, confirming that reforms the Minnesota Legislature approved this year reversed the four straight years of double-digit premium increases and helped to expand health care choices to Minnesota families – particularly in rural areas.
According to the Minnesota Department of Commerce, rates would have risen by 20 percent or higher without Republican reforms. The individual market serves Minnesotans who do not receive health insurance through their employer or the government.
Over the past four years, premium rates increased by double digits every year, including nearly 60 percent just one year ago. As a result of the reinsurance program recently approved by the federal government, all current insurers will continue serving the individual market next year.
In addition, Republicans successfully pushed to expand health care options and improve access to hospitals and doctors. As part of the reinsurance legislation, providers are now required to offer in-network access to more than one health care provider system in the counties in which they operate.
Rep. Dean Urdahl, R-Acton Township, released the following statement regarding Monday’s rate announcement:
“It is highly disappointing to continue hearing from constituents who are losing their coverage due to accessibility issues,” Urdahl said. “The improvements we made this year are providing much-needed relief, but more work is needed to establish permanent solutions that will re-establish Minnesota as the national health care leader it was before the Affordable Care Act turned our system upside down.”
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