The HealthCare.gov website, where people can buy health insurance. Consumers in most places will see their health insurance premiums go up next year for popular plans under President Barack Obama’s health care law. But it will take time to get to a bottom line for family finances, let alone the larger political battle over the program’s future. For many people, government subsidies will cushion the hit. And there’s a new factor: returning customers who are savvy about health insurance and unafraid to shop for a better deal.WASHINGTON – Consumers across most of America will see their health insurance premiums go up next year for popular plans under President Barack Obama’s health care law.
But it will take time for families to figure out the best bang for their budgets — even as a bigger political battle brews over the program’s future.
For many people, government subsidies will cushion the hit. And there’s a new factor: Returning customers who are savvy about health insurance and prepared to shop for a better deal.
Scott Joens of St. George, Utah, said he and his wife are facing premium increases of about 18 percent for 2015. But instead of agonizing, he’s looking for a plan with a higher deductible, which is the amount of medical expenses that consumers are responsible for each year before insurance kicks in. By switching, he could lower his monthly premiums.
Joens, in his 50s and semi-retired from the pharmacy business, said he’ll worry if the trend keeps going.