ACA Providers Seek Premium Hikes

Health care providers say rising costs are responsible for a requested rate increases for plans provided under the federal Affordable Care Act in 2017.  Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance Monica Lindeen listened to provider’s representatives explain why they plan to raise rates, some by more than 60 percent.
Several people questioned Wednesday how the three companies providing health insurance plans in Montana justified large raises and bonuses to their executives in light of potentially exorbitant increases in premiums.  Scott Proctor said that’s something they need to address.  He’s a representative of the Montana Education Association-Montana Federation of Teachers.  During the public comment portion of a hearing in Billings on requested 2017 rate increases to health insurance plans purchased on the federal marketplace, the Montana Health Co-op, PacificSource and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana said the compensation accounts for only a very small portion of the overall prices.