MD Health Insurance Premiums To Soar Under Obamacare

Younger people could see 150 percent hikes

In the latest preview of prices for health coverage under the Affordable Care Act, Maryland's dominant insurer says proposed premiums for new policies for individuals will rise by 25 percent on average next year.

That's lower than what some had predicted. Just three weeks ago, the insurer, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, had been looking at a proposed 50 percent increase. But the company revised that initial estimate, citing worries about affordability for consumers.

"Not only were we concerned about a potential hit to subscribers, but we were also concerned about price levels that were unattractive" to young customers seen as an important stabilizing force for the market, CareFirst CEO Chet Burrell said in an interview Wednesday.