Rate increases for 2027 Health insurance

So many states blatantly price-fixing. It begs the question: is any of it NOT political?

If you're looking for stable health insurance prices, the ACA market is not the place to be. 

https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/finance/5-states-finalize-2027-aca-rates/

9 states finalize 2027 ACA rates

Elizabeth Casolo    |    September 15th, 2026

ACA insurers requested a median rate increase of 15% for 2027, according to a Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker analysis. However, some states are pushing back — while others are abiding by those requests — as they finalize increases.

The set rates precede open enrollment, beginning Nov. 1.

Here are nine updates to know:

The Connecticut Insurance Department allowed an average increase of 11.3% in the individual and 15.1% in the small group markets, down from the original requests of 16.2% and 17.8%, respectively, according to a Sept. 11 announcement.

Washington state’s insurance commissioner approved a 22.2% average rate increase for 2027, slightly lower than the requested average of 22.4%, according to a Sept. 9 announcement.

The New York State Department of Financial Services approved rate bumps Sept. 4. While insurers requested average increases of 23.7% in the small group and 20.6% in the individual markets, the state cut those increases to 8% and 6%, respectively. New York has roughly 860,000 residents enrolled across individual and small group plans.

The Delaware Department of Insurance released final rates Sept. 4. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield requested a 20.2% increase, and the state approved an average increase of 17.2%. AmeriHealth Caritas requested a 13.9% bump, and the state moved forward with an average 13.94% increase. Centene’s Ambetter will exit the state’s ACA market in 2027.

On Sept. 1, the New Mexico Office of Superintendent of Insurance said it approved individual market rates for 2027, with an average increase of 24.4%.

Oregon’s Division of Financial Regulation approved an average 21.6% increase for the individual market and 15.5% increase for the small group market, according to an Aug. 18 news release. While the 15.5% increase was down from insurers’ proposed 17% increase for 2027, the individual rate boost was up from insurers’ requested average of 17.5%.

Vermont’s Green Mountain Care Board approved individual rate increases of 2.2% and 3.9% for BCBS Vermont and MVP Health Plan, respectively. The insurers requested 6.5% and 7.8% rate increases for the individual market. For small group rates, BCBS Vermont and MVP Health Plan requested 4.5% and 9.1% increases, ultimately securing 1.2% and 6.2% boosts for 2027, respectively. The state shared the finalized rates, affecting more than 67,000 residents, Aug. 18.

The Maine Bureau of Insurance published finalized rate increases Aug. 14. The bureau green-lit average rate increases of 14.8% and 13.5% for the individual and small employer markets, respectively. Insurers had sought increases of 16.8% for individuals and 15.7% for small employers.

Massachusetts approved a 10.8% weighted average base rate change for 2027.

Editor’s note: This article was posted Sept. 8 and updated Sept. 15.

Follow the money: today's Eric Bricker video enlightens this context significantly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snN9uXaanjc

He publishes a Cliff's Notes version with each video.

Healthcare Company StockMarket Gains from the ACA until 2026.

HCA Healthcare up 1,000%. UnitedHealth Group up 1,200%. Eli Lilly and Company up 3,200%. S&P 500 up only 540%.

Ironically, healthcare is the largest industry in America with $5.7T in spending in 2025 and yet most organizations in healthcare 'cry poor.' They say they need more money. They say that $5.7T is not enough.

So that begs the question... Who has the money in healthcare?

One way to answer that question is to evaluate the stock prices of publicly traded healthcare companies. Overtime, a stock's price is a good reflection of the profitability of a company.

Soooo.... since the passage of the Affordable Care Act in March of 2010, which healthcare stocks have increased the most compared to the 538% increase in the S&P 500?

Insurance Brokers: Arthur J. Gallagher up 916%
Hospitals: HCA up 991%
Insurance Carriers: UnitedHealth Group up 1,190%
Pharmaceutical Companies: Eli Lilly up 3,175%
Medical Device Companies: Intuitive Surgical up 785%
Medical Distributors: McKesson up 1,174%
Life Sciences Equipment: Thermo Fisher up 943%

Implication: Jeff Bezos once said, "Your profit is my opportunity." All of these giants in their respective market segments are succeeding in the setting of patients NOT succeeding.

All giants can be toppled and for the sake of patients... maybe these need to be.

Sources at AHealthcareZ YouTube Channel.