A survey by America’s Health Plans finds 89% of Americans who applied for individual health care insurance were offered coverage.
AHIP, Washington, reports that 40% of these coverage offers were at standard rates, and 49% were offered at lower preferred rates. Even among those age 60 to 64, 71% were offered coverage, and 74% of these were at standard or preferred rates.
The study, “Individual Health Insurance 2006-2007,” found annual premiums averaged $2,613 for single coverage and $5,799 for family plans in 2006-2007. Premiums varied by state, reflecting such factors as premium rating and underwriting rules, differences in health care costs, demographics and consumer benefit preferences.
Premiums were significantly higher in states with restrictions on premium variation and underwriting, often known as “guaranteed issue” and “community rating,” AHIP found, however, about 95% of the policies were sold in states where the average annual premium was under $3,400 for single coverage or $7,200 for family coverage.