Rising health care costs will lead to an average 7.9% jump next year in insurance rates for those who receive coverage through Covered California, the agency announced Wednesday.
Also, for the first time, undocumented youths who have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status will be eligible for health care through Covered California when enrollment opens Nov. 1.
Residents of most Bay Area counties will see their increases hover around the average, while Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties are slated for a jump of 15.7%. Those who receive their insurance through Aetna will also see a more than 15% increase should they choose to remain with the carrier.
Covered California expects to counter these increases by allocating its greatest amount of financial assistance ever to more than 1.7 million Californians registered through the program, according to executive director Jessica Altman. And since rates vary drastically by carrier and region, Altman said that some enrollees could save up to 11% by switching plans.
Despite the average increases, Altman said that a quarter of all residents statewide will pay no insurance premiums in 2025, a jump from the 20% who had no premiums this year. Nearly 90% of enrollees are receiving some form of financial assistance, Altman said.
Federal subsidies, including extended funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, have helped Covered California implement a smaller increase for 2025 than this year, when average rates leapt close to 10% compared to 2023.
California also earmarked $165 million in state funding in its most recent budget to extend a cost-sharing program it launched this year, the agency said.
Californians can sign up for insurance through Covered California starting on Nov. 1, and the 2025 rate changes will kick in on Jan. 1, 2025.
“With open enrollment around the corner, we are excited to provide more affordability than ever before, and to open our doors to more eligible Californians than ever before,” Altman said.
This is a cruel joke. It’s like a bad experiment. The article headline says there is going to be a jump in rates. Then it closes with “we are excited to provide more affordability than ever before”. What are these people smoking?
BOHICA!
So, the Affordable Care Act, AKA Obamacare, is not so affordable……
My Obamacare is more than my house payment
No surprise…. profits ahead of healthcare – pay healthcare employees appropriately and limit profits at the top
It’s going up to cover the cost of allowing illegal aliens to be covered. Thank the Dems and Newsom for screwing us over.
It is up across the board, my Kaiser went up the same in April “inflation driven” “Bidenomics?” hopefully not Cacklinghagonomics next
When there is a steady stream of people rolling into hospital’s with no med insurance. Someone has to float the bill. And it’s of course the people that actually pay for med insurance. I tell all my family & friends, if you are staring done some prolonged medical issue that can get expensive. Quit your job, and get free medical care. Stupid F-ing joke
How about focusing on how to provide less costly medical services. I could see way back in the 1980s that health care would be the next “gold rush”. Keep people scared and they will pay anything. China had success with “barefoot doctors” who were just practitioners aiding people in rural areas. They even used classical techniques for treatment.
John D Rockefeller ruined the practice of medicine in America, sticking his nose in where it didn’t belong just to add to his profits.
ACA has been a disaster for me and my family. We now have to pay $3,300 a month through my business just for basic care. It went up 11% this year! Inflation is only 2.2% or around there can someone please explain? Our health care system (if you want to call it that) is beyond broken!
Newsom at work. Finest care for his family and nothing for us.
Covered California is a sham unless you are destitute.
Go directly to a carrier for a quote and it will always be less expensive.
Obama Care sucked from day one and still does!
How is it that the state can FORCE you to buy healthcare or anything for that matter?
And if you do not buy insurance, you will be fined!