Fewer coverage options may not equate to higher prices: 5 points

Insurers spanning the nation have made headlines over the past year for pulling out of ACA exchanges, leaving many to worry that prices would soar for several Americans. However, Avalere Health analyzed data that showed fewer options may not mean higher prices for consumers, according to npr.

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Here are five points:

1. The data showed while prices for coverage are rising across the nation, prices are not significantly higher for those living in areas with multiple payers.

2. Senior Vice President of Avalere Caroline Pearson said those consumers with only one coverage option may not have “catastrophic” consequences from the little to no competition.

3. Ms. Pearson attributes the lack of price hikes to the fact that payers filed their initial rates for next year earlier in 2016. At this point in time, payers were unaware where their competitors would offer coverage.  

4. Last year, 7 percent of U.S. counties had one payer operating in the marketplace.

5. Going forward into 2017, nearly 33 percent of U.S. counties will have one payer.

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