Fears mount as another round of health premium hikes appears likely

Facing a 50 percent premium hike on health insurance, Brian Freeman and his wife decided to hold the line on monthly costs this year by switching health insurers and picking a plan with a lofty $13,000 deductible.

Freeman’s not thrilled with the results, and he’s wary about future premium hikes. “It feels like there are fewer and fewer places to hide,” he said.

More than two years after major changes under the federal health law, Minnesota’s health insurance market for people who buy coverage on their own continues to wobble. Proposed rate increases for 2017 won’t become public until August, but health insurers and agents already are signaling there could be significant price jumps.

http://www.startribune.com/fears-mount-as-another-round-of-premium-hikes-appear-likely/384054541/