The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) revealed medical insurance premiums for 37 states without a state-based marketplace exchange will see an average 7.5 percent increase on benchmark plans.

The HHS has been preparing for the third open-enrollment period, which starts Nov. 1, said, despite the 7.5 percent average, that nearly 8 in 10 returning enrollees will be able to purchase a health plan with premiums less than $100 per month but after tax credits. HHS also said, based on its data, that 7 in 10 returning consumers can buy a plan for $75 or less, per month and after tax credits in 2016.

The HHS' latest data refers to the second lowest-cost silver plans, also referred to as "benchmark plans," which affects the 37 states that have yet to adopt a state-based health insurance exchanges. As a result of not having a state-based exchange, potential and returning enrollees have to utilize the federal-based Healthcare.gov.

The 37 states that use the federal marketplace are: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

"If consumers come back to the Marketplace and shop, they may be able to find a plan that saves them money and meets their health needs," Kevin Counihan, CEO of the Health Insurance Marketplaces, said in a statement. "Last year, over half of re-enrolling consumers on HealthCare.gov shopped and half of those who shopped selected a new plan -- that sort of choice and competition was limited prior to the Affordable Care Act."

Within several states, however, the premium percentage hike hit double digits. Oklahoma is home to the largest average increase, 35.7 percent, followed by Montana, with 34.5 percent. Alaska's premium hike is 31.5 percent for the upcoming open enrollment period. Other states with double digit increases are Alabama (12.6 percent), Arizona (17.5 percent), Delaware (18.3 percent), Iowa (12.8 percent), Kansas (16.1 percent), Missouri (10.4 percent), Nebraska (11.8 percent), New Mexico (25.8 percent), North Carolina (22.8 percent), Oregon (22.9 percent), Pennsylvania (10.9 percent), South Carolina (10.8 percent), South Dakota (24.7 percent), Tennessee (23.4 percent), Utah (15.8 percent) and West Virginia (18.5 percent).

Several states, however, will see premium rate declines such as Indiana with -12.6 percent, Maine with -1.2 percent, Mississippi with -8.2 percent and Ohio with -0.7 percent

HHS noted the premium rates are decided on a state-by-state basis and the "dynamics" of each market.

As Latin Post reported, the third open-enrollment period could be the most challenging period for the HHS. HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell admitted the imminent enrollment period will focus on an uninsured population that "is hard to reach." According to Burwell, 17.6 million Americans have gain health insurance since the Affordable Care Act's implementation in 2010, but 10.5 million more people are still uninsured.

The third open enrollment period will conclude on Jan. 31, 2016.

__

For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Politics Editor Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.

Related