With the MNsure open enrollment period ended, there’s mixed news on the condition of the health insurance private market for those who don’t have employer coverage and are not on public programs. State Health Economist Stefan Gildemeister says HMO revenues appear to be higher than expenses, but on the minus side, enrollment in the private market is about half what it was in 2015. And there’s uncertainty about the effects of federal tax reform, plus health care changes being considered in Washington. Gildemeister says, “That could further destabilize the market by increasing premiums, reducing coverage.”
Gildemeister says it’s difficult to predict what will happen next year with health insurance premiums, and whether more companies will stop offering coverage on the individual market. But he does say, “If healthy people leave the market, that will create sort of pressure on premiums and will lead health plans to consider whether they feel they are in a solid market environment or not.”