Health Insurance Rate Shock: What Connecticut Can Do

All indications are that Connecticut health insurance costs will rise significantly next year. Fortunately there are several tools available to policymakers to mitigate that trend for Connecticut consumers and small businesses who will be mandated to secure coverage as of January 1st. A new brief outlines state affordability options including a stronger state MLR limit, active purchasing, reinsurance, capping rate increases, limiting insurer losses, and state supplemental subsidies. It is also critical to address the underlying causes of rising health costs that drive insurance prices including misaligned payment incentives, overtreatment, poorly coordinated care, waste, excessive administrative costs, and consumer disengagement. Affordable insurance coverage is critical for successful health reform. State policymakers should use every available tool.