The analysis is based on payer data from 14 states.
Here are seven key findings:
1. Overall, an average of 5.5 payers will provide coverage in states nationally, a decrease from the average participation in 2015 (6.4) and 2016 (5.9). The 2017 estimate is equal to the average amount of payers participating in the exchanging in 2014.
2. Half of the states in the analysis — Colorado, Connecticut, Indiana, Maryland, Oregon, Rhode Island and Washington — will see fewer payers offer plans on the ACA exchanges. One reason for this decrease is UnitedHealth’s widespread exit from the ACA’s individual market. The insurer is exiting exchanges in 31 states, meaning it will only operate in three markets next year.
3. Three states — Maine, New Mexico and Virginia — will see more payers enter the market.
4. In 2017, Nevada, New York, Vermont and the District of Columbia will see the same number of payers in their state exchanges as this year.
5. Oregon and Washington will both lose on average two insurers, the largest payer exits in the data.
6. The number of insurers participating in the 14 states next year range from 2 in Vermont, D.C. and Rhode Island to 15 in New York.
7. Six out of the 14 states analyzed will see new payers enter the exchange. For example, Bright Health Plan will enter Colorado and Aetna will enter Indiana.
More articles on payer issues:
Idaho health insurers propose average 27% premium hike for individual plans
Connecticut governor signs bill barring insurer information from subpoena, FOIA
CMS inspects Virgin Islands hospital after reports of few ER staff
