Washing State’s “homegrown” health insurers credited with keeping rate increases low

Preliminary reports suggest Washington State’s Affordable Care Act (a/k/a Obamacare) plans will see minimal rate increases in 2020. Washington State exchange plans are projected to see a 1% average rate increase, lower than almost half of other states in the U.S.

Washington’s Insurance Commissioner reportedly credited Washington-based health plans with the low increases. Washington-based insurers are tied to the local community. These insurers rely on keeping local business in order to thrive. Local plans also tend to have better relationships with doctors and hospitals. Large, national carriers, on the other hand, can lose Washington customers to cheaper plans.

This is good news for the approximately 250,000 Washington residents who buy insurance through Washington’s ACA/Obamacare exchange.