Delaware Rates Increase Following Health Overhaul

DOVER, Del. (AP) – Delaware residents will find higher average premiums Saturday when open enrollment for the second year of insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act begins.
    
State officials approved an across-the-board, nearly 4 percent average premium increase for individual policies offered by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, which insures the vast majority of people in Delaware's exchange under the federal health care overhaul.
    
Small-business owners can expect average premium rate increases of 3.6 percent under the state's Small Business Health Options Program.
    
And officials warn people who temporarily extended plans that don't comply with the law can expect severe sticker shock, with premiums doubling in some cases.
    
Individuals can select from 23 plans this year, up from 19, while the number of small-business plans has increased from 11 to 16.

 

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