There has been a lot of talk about "Obamacare" and the potential to repeal and replace, but with the process seemingly stalled, what does that mean for us in Idaho?

Well, at this point, the price on the health exchange is predicted to rise by double digits for 2018, due in part to the uncertainty and hyperbole in the political spectrum.

If there isn't an answer for what will (or will not change) until after November 1st when open enrollment begins, it could mean some complications for those of us in Idaho.

The Idaho Department of Insurance has announced the rate increases for plans that will be sold as part of the Affordable Care Act.  The average increase is 27 percent, a result of the "silver plan" going up 40 percent, and "bronze" and "gold" plans increasing just under 10 percent.

The sizable increase on the "silver" plan is driven mostly because those are plans that have more built-in  benefits for low-income purchasers, and depend more on participation in subsidies and federal participation.  Since much is uncertain about parts of those plans might remain, they are the most unstable.

Officials say they are not counting on subsidies and federal participation continuing, and so the figures released are what would happen if the Affordable Care Act was to the remain the same, but with the risk of some changes in federal participation.

All of that might change, depending on what congress and President get done between now and then.

For more on this, check out the Idaho Statesman.

 

 

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