Commercial, individual markets growing increasingly concentrated: 7 numbers to know

The GAO defines markets as concentrated at the state level when the three largest insurers control more than 80% of the market. 

Here are seven key numbers to know:

1. Concentration in the individual insurance market grew between 2011 to 2019. In 2011, 33 states had concentrated markets, which peaked at 47 states in 2019. The number of concentrated markets decreased to 35 in 2022. 
2. In the individual market in 2022, one insurer controlled 80% of the market  in seven states, down from 12 states in 2019. 
3. The median number of insurers participating in individual markets in each state decreased from 30 in 2011 to 10 in 2022. 
4. In the small group market, concentration grew between 2011 and 2022. In 2022, 47 states had concentrated markets, up from 36 in 2011. 
5. In 2022, one insurer controlled at least 80% of the small group market in 15 states. 
6. Concentration grew at a slower pace in the large group market. In 2022, the three largest insurers controlled 80% of the market in 43 states, up from 40 states in 2011. 
7. The number of states where one  insurer controlled 80% or more of the market doubled from six in 2011 to 12 in 2022. 

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