DC Insurers File Proposed Rates for 2021 Health Plans May 21, 2020

On Wednesday, the Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB) announced it has received proposed health insurance plan rates for the four mayor payers in advance of the 2021 open enrollment period for DC Health Link.

According to the press release, DISB received proposals from Aetna, CareFirst, Kaiser Permanente, and United Healthcare. Overall, 188 plans were filed, an increase of seven from last year. The number of small group plans increased from 156 to 163 but the number of individual plans remained static at 25.

You can see the proposed rates here.

Per the press release:

In the individual market, CareFirst proposed an average increase of 14.7 percent for HMO plans and an average decrease of 0.6 percent for PPO plans. Kaiser proposed an average decrease of 2.0 percent. For small group plans, CareFirst filed average rate increases of 1.1 percent for HMO plans and an average decrease of 1.6 percent for the PPO plans. Kaiser small group rates proposed, on average, no change from the prior year. Aetna filed for an average increase of 7.4 percent for HMO plans and 38.0 percent for PPO plans. Finally, United proposed an average increase of 17.4 percent and 10.3 percent for its two HMOs and 11.4 percent for its PPO plans.

“In keeping with the Bowser Administrations efforts to support residents and small business owners, it is the Department’s duty to ensure that rates are fair and adhere to District law,” said DISB Acting Commissioner Karima Woods. “The rate review process allows us to work with our insurance companies to evaluate their proposals so that the District's insurance rates are adequate and not excessive or unfairly discriminatory.”

The proposed rates are now open for public comment; those wishing to comment on the rate changes may do so by emailing HealthRate.Comments@dc.gov.