Illinois health insurance consumers are being urged to make their voices heard on insurance rate increases proposed for health plans sold in the state under the federal health care law.
The proposed rate increases released Monday for 2017 plans through Affordable Care Act markets in Illinois are as high as 45 percent.
Stephani Becker, of the Shriver National Center on Poverty Law, says it's important to ask state regulators to scrutinize the rates and for insurance companies and the insurance department to know that consumers are monitoring the process.
Blue Cross Blue Shield, the largest company on the Illinois exchange, proposed increases ranging from 23 to 45 percent for individual plans.
The company says these increases are in line with those in markets across the country. Analysts note insurers are facing higher medical costs from ACA customers, and some companies priced their initial coverage too low in an attempt to grab new business.
More than 12 million people nationwide get coverage though the health law's markets, which offer subsidized private insurance.
By law, Illinois regulators can't reject rates outright, but they can negotiate with insurance companies.
Becker says consumers can comment by email to the Illinois Department of Insurance at DOI.HealthRateReview@illinois.gov.