PROVIDENCE – With state health insurance rates set to dramatically increase next year, the full impact on HealthSource RI customers won't be clear until a Dec. 23 payment deadline, says executive director Lindsay Lang.
However, the cracks are already starting to show.
The state insurance marketplace is fielding about 25-100 more calls per day than usual, often from customers who are worried about premium increases and confused about their health or dental insurance options. Lang expects this number to increase as open enrollment continues.
“We have a lot of very concerned customers,” Lang said. “People are pausing and taking a little extra time to process renewal information.”
Ultimately, the state health insurance marketplace expects that it could lose about 13,000 customers when Affordable Care Act insurance credits expire at the end of the year. Some enrollees could see their insurance rates double in 2026, amounting to around $111 extra per person compared to 2025 rates.
Those who don’t completely drop their state insurance coverage seem to be shifting to plans with lower premiums, Lang said. HealthSource RI is already experiencing an increase in enrollees opting for bronze level plans, which offer lower premiums but higher out-of-pocket costs throughout the year. The state marketplace includes bronze, silver, gold and platinum level plans.
During last year’s open enrollment period, about 16% of enrollees chose bronze plans, Lang said. That figure has so far risen to 26% this year.
Meanwhile, about 31% of customers chose gold plans in last year’s open enrollment period, compared to the 15% who have so far signed on to this coverage level for the upcoming year.
It’s always a gamble – “That’s sort of the name of the game with health insurance,” Lang says of the selection process. “You are trying to make a selection in December that is going to meet your needs in the year ahead.”
Some people – especially younger and generally healthy customers – could find that, barring unexpected health issues, a bronze plan works well for their needs, “for other folks, that calculation is very different,” Lang says.
Still, Lang says, a bronze plan is better than no plan.
Lang isn’t sure how many of the 13,000 customers expected to lose HealthSource RI coverage have other health insurance options, such as employer-provided plans or access to a spouse’s coverage.
But for those who are concerned about a lack of affordable options, Lang advises reaching out to the marketplace's call center.
The call center has been able to handle the increase in call volumes, Lang says, and representatives are working with customers to ensure that their account info is up-to-date and allows them access to all potential forms of financial assistance.
Still, Lang recognizes that for some, the increases are too steep even with access to all remaining assistance.
“Every open enrollment has had some changes or challenges, but this is a really significant one,” Lang said, describing the premium spikes as “unprecedented."
“Affordability is key,” she added. “We know that people want to be covered. We know they want that peace of mind. But if it’s not affordable, we know they won’t be covered.”
Jacquelyn Voghel is a PBN staff writer. You may reach her at Voghel@PBN.com.
