MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.,
Sept. 25, 2018 /PRNewswire/
-- Today eHealth, Inc. (NASDAQ: EHTH) released its annual
Health Insurance Price Index Report for 2018, tracking costs and
trends for major medical health plans purchased without federal
subsidies at eHealth.com during the Affordable Care Act's (ACA's)
2018 open enrollment period, which ran from November 1 to December 15, 2017.
eHealth's Price Index Report tracks costs and trends from the
ACA's initial 2014 open enrollment period through the most recent
open enrollment period when consumers selected coverage for 2018.
The annual report is one of the few sources of information and
analysis about health insurance consumers who buy their own
coverage and do not receive government subsidies. This population
comprises approximately 42 percent of the individual health
insurance market.
Among the report's key findings:
- $440 was the average monthly
premium for individual health insurance plans selected by
unsubsidized eHealth customers. This represents a 16 percent
increase over the prior year and a 62 percent increase from the
2014 open enrollment period, the first year ACA plans were
available
- $1,168 was the average monthly
premium for a family health plan, a 17 percent increase from 2017
and a 75 percent jump from 2014
- Deductible costs also rose in 2018. The average individual
deductible increased by 3 percent from 2017 to $4,578, while the average family deductible
increased by 7 percent from 2017 to $8,803
- The average premium for individual Bronze plans in 2018 was
higher than the average premium for Platinum plans in 2014 and
2015
- HMO-style health insurance plans accounted for 56 percent of
all individual and family policies selected by eHealth customers
for 2018, a 17 percent increase since 2014
"As we approach the upcoming open enrollment period for 2019
coverage, it's valuable to take a look back at the way the market
has changed since 2014," said eHealth CEO Scott Flanders. "Consumers who qualify for
federal premium subsidies may not realize how much the cost of
coverage has changed over the years, but individuals and families
who don't qualify for subsidies have borne a heavy burden in
increased costs, as our report shows."
eHealth is one of the largest private online health insurance
marketplaces in the U.S., providing consumers with access to
thousands of health plans offered by more than 180 health insurance
companies. The company serves the needs of those eligible for ACA
subsidies as well as those with annual incomes too high to
qualify.
The Price Index Report can be read in full at
eHealth.com.
About eHealth
eHealth, Inc. (NASDAQ: EHTH) owns eHealth.com, a leading private
online health insurance exchange where individuals, families and
small businesses can compare health insurance products from
brand-name insurers side by side and purchase and enroll in
coverage online and over the phone. eHealth offers thousands of
individual, family and small business health plans underwritten by
many of the nation's leading health insurance companies. eHealth
(through its subsidiaries) is licensed to sell health insurance in
all 50 states and the District of
Columbia. eHealth also offers educational resources,
exceptional telephonic support, and powerful online and
pharmacy-based tools to help Medicare beneficiaries navigate
Medicare health insurance options, choose the right plan and enroll
in select plans online or over the phone through Medicare.com
(www.Medicare.com), eHealthMedicare.com (www.eHealthMedicare.com),
GoMedigap (www.goMedigap.com) and PlanPrescriber.com
(www.PlanPrescriber.com).
For media inquiries, please contact:
Sande Drew
DMA Communications for eHealth, Inc.
(916) 207-7674
sande.drew@gmail.com
Rob Wyse
Capital Content for eHealth, Inc.
(212) 920-1470
rob@capital-content.com
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SOURCE eHealth, Inc.