As the weather heats up, the insurance carrier activity here in Washington state is heating up too.  The 2020 individual and small group requested rate increases were recently released.  There are decreases, increases, carriers exiting the state or certain counties, a few new players and more! 

Individual & Family Health Insurance

There are two new insurance companies entering the Washington market and many changes to county coverage with existing carriers.  Of note: 

• Bridgespan, Lifewise and Regence are adding King and Pierce counties
• Bridgespan also adding Clark county
• Lifewise adding 21 counties altogether
• Premera removing 7 counties including Snohomish & Pierce counties
• Coordinated Care adding Kitsap county
• Kaiser Permanente removing San Juan county
• Molina adding Snohomish county
• Two new carriers: PacificSource (3 counties) and Providence (6 counties)

Small Group Health Insurance

The requested small group rate increases for 2020 are in for several noteworty carriers:

• Aetna will continue to sell plans statewide and requested a 11.0% rate increase
• Kaiser Permanente requested a 4.4% increase and is pulling out of San Juan county 
• Premera Blue Cross requested a 5.6% increase and will offer plans statewide, except in Pierce county
• PacificSource is a new carrier to Washington offering plans statewide
• Regence Blue Shield - requested a 5.8% rate increase and will continue to sell plans in all current areas
• United Healthcare - will continue to sell plans statewide and requested a 9.0% rate increase
• Health Net has decided to discontinue selling small group plans altogether in Washington state

The requested changes from each insurance company have not been approved yet by Washington's Insurance Commissioner.  We did see changes happen last year and will provide updates as they become available. If you have any questions please contact Wendee Allen at (425) 314-0988. Have a great summer!

The IRS recently announced the dollar limits for the 2020 calendar year applicable to group plans and high deductible health plans (HDHPs)/health savings accounts (HSAs) .

2020 maximum out-of-pocket limits for group plans 
$8,150 for self-only coverage ($7,900 in 2019)
$16,300 for family coverage ($15,800 in 2019)

The out-of-pocket maximum includes copayments, deductibles and coinsurance amounts, and excludes premiums.  

2020 limits for HDHPs/HSAs
Minimum deductible 2020 
$1,400 for self-only coverage ($1,350 in 2019)
$2,800 for family coverage ($2,700 in 2019)
$2,800 for embedded individual deductible ($2,700 in 2019)

Out-of-pocket maximum 2020
$6,900 for self-only coverage (versus $6,750 in 2019)
$13,800 for family coverage  (versus $13,500 in 2019)

HSA contribution limits 2020
$3,550 for self-only coverage (versus $3,500 in 2019)
$7,100 for family coverage (versus $7,000 in 2019)
The annual “catch-up” contribution amount for individuals age 55 or older will remain $1,000.

Contact your PNW Insurance Solutions representative for more information by calling (425) 314-0988.