Enrollment in Nevada health exchange strong, but premiums rising

By Cy Ryan

Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015 | 3:56 p.m.

CARSON CITY — New enrollment in the government-subsidized health insurance program in Nevada is strong, but premiums are also rising, a state economic panel was told today.

Bruce Gilbert, executive director of the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange, said new enrollment was “brisk and strong,” with 31,000 people signed up as of Dec. 1.

But he told the Economic Forum there will be an average 8.7 percent increase in premiums for those covered under the Affordable Care Act.

Enrollment in Nevada’s program is 58,000, down from the 65,102 in May. He said that decline is due, in part, to the improved economy and people getting jobs that provide coverage.

The current enrollment period runs through Dec. 15.

Federal officials said Wednesday that more than 1 million new customers have signed up on the federal health care exchange.

Insurance officials told the forum the average increase in premiums for private health insurance will be about 4 percent next year.

Marvin Leavitt, a member of the forum, questioned why the premiums for the government program are going up double compared to the rest of the market. Insurance executives said it was due to the rising cost of medical care and drugs, and those covered under the Affordable Care Act have more health problems.

Some people with medical problems could not afford insurance until the government program was started.

Two of the insurance companies participating in the health exchange have dropped out, but three other companies are still providing coverage, Gilbert said.