Blue Shield of California
July 28, 2015
In a news conference held yesterday, July 27, 2015, Covered California announced 2016 Individual & Family Plan (IFP) rates. The average rate increase came in at 4 percent statewide.
Importantly, Covered California noted that rate increases vary by region and that Northern California average increases (7.0 percent) are higher than Southern California (1.8 percent) largely due to a lack of provider competition in the north.*
We’re pleased to announce that Blue Shield’s rates increased on average by only 2.1 percent statewide*, and we are one of only two health plans offering statewide coverage through the Exchange in 2016.
Some Blue Shield highlights for IFP plans include:
- 79 percent of Blue Shield members will receive an increase of less than 10 percent
- 63 percent of members on a Silver Plan will receive a rate decrease
- Four Southern California regions will experience a decrease on average for the rates for those regions
- Blue Shield will replace its EPO plans with PPO plans in four Northern California EPO regions (Rural North, Wine Country, Alameda, and Monterey) for 2016 which means out-of-network benefits and access to out-of-network providers
We will keep you updated on Individual & Family Plans as we continuously respond to the evolving needs of consumers and Covered California.
*Please note that these figures reflect Covered California’s weighted averages.
For more information on yesterday’s announcement, including a breakdown of rates by region, see Covered California’s 2016 preliminary health plans booklet and press release.