Higher Premiums Approved for Preserved NC Health Care Plans

If you like your plan, you can keep it, for a significant price increase

The state Insurance Department has approved — as expected — the higher premium rates proposed by Blue Cross Blue Shield of N.C. that allow customers to keep one of four plans that were to end as part of implementing the Affordable Care Act.

Commissioner Wayne Goodwin said the department approved rate increases of 16.4 percent for Blue Advantage plans, an average 22 percent for Blue Value plans, and 23.6 percent for Blue Saver and Blue Options HSA plans.

By comparison, the department approved for 2013 an 8.1 percent average rate increase for Blue Advantage, Blue Options HSA and Blue Saver products. The insurer had requested an average rate increase of 9.9 percent.