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The state Insurance Division released Tuesday a health insurance rate comparison sheet to make it easier for consumers to compare plans under President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act.
The Obamacare policies range from $72.40 for a Bronze-level option for consumers under 21 years old to $871.26 for a Platinum plan for a 64 year old. The premiums do not include deductibles, co-payments and other cost sharing, or tax credits for eligible consumers.
The information is meant to be used as a tool for consumers to compare rates offered by Hawaii Medical Service Association and Kaiser Permanente Hawaii on and off the Hawaii Health Connector, the state’s online insurance marketplace created by the Obamacare law.
The Connector, which launched two weeks after its scheduled start date on Oct. 1, was the last in the nation to release health plan rates. Consumers and small businesses can only apply for tax credits to lower the cost of medical coverage if they purchase policies through the Connector.
Insurance Commissioner Gordon Ito recently asked insurers to extend current health plans into 2014, following a decision by President Obama to allow individuals to keep their existing 2013 insurance policies next year even if the plans do not meet ACA requirements.
HMSA and Kaiser have agreed to continue 2013 individual plans. All five local insurance carriers (HMSA, Kaiser, Hawaii Medical Assurance Association, University Health Alliance and Family Health Hawaii) also will offer ACA plans for small businesses.
For more information, go to http://cca.hawaii.gov/ins/news-release-state-releases-2014-aca-premiums-comparison-sheet/.
