FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — State officials say Kentuckians shopping for health insurance on the federal government’s exchange should expect higher prices and fewer choices during the open enrollment period that begins Tuesday.
The exchange lets some people buy private health insurance plans at a discount, depending on their income level. It’s one of the key features of the federal Affordable Care Act. Since 2013, Kentucky was one of the few states that operated its own exchange, called kynect. Started by former Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear, the system was widely praised for avoiding many of the technical problems associated with the federal exchange.
Republican Gov. Matt Bevin ended kynect soon after he took office. Beginning Tuesday, Kentuckians purchasing health insurance on the exchange will do so through HealthCare.gov, the federal website that 39 other states also use. The Bevin administration says the change will cost taxpayers $4.8 million by 2018, compared to $19 million this year.
Fewer insurers will be selling plans on the exchange for 2017. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the only company selling plans in all 120 counties. For 59 counties, they are the only option. Premium increases for all plans will average between 23 percent and 31 percent, according to Adam Meier, Bevin’s deputy chief of staff for policy.