Sticker shock: WA health insurance buyers confront steep price hikes [View all]
The roughly 300,000 Washingtonians who buy health insurance through the state’s online marketplace are set for a rude awakening as they begin shopping for plans.
That’s because premiums for individual insurance bought on the Washington Health Benefit Exchange through the Affordable Care Act are set to rise an average of 21% next year. The steep hikes stem from the expiration of federal tax credits that congressional Republicans refuse to extend.
Similar price jumps are happening nationwide. Last year’s average rate increase in Washington was 10.7%. Nationally, over 24 million people are covered with insurance from the marketplaces, which are used by people who do not have access to health insurance through their jobs or from government programs, like Medicaid.
Open enrollment begins Nov. 1 and will run through Jan. 15. To begin coverage by Jan. 1, enrollees should sign up by Dec. 15. Existing customers will be automatically renewed but can still shop around and compare plans. The window-shopping period for plans began Tuesday.
https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/10/22/sticker-shock-wa-health-insurance-buyers-confront-steep-price-hikes/
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