Take Action! 2023 Healthcare Proposed Rate Hikes

Blue Cross Blue Shield VT and MVP have requested double digit premium rate increases for 2024. Vermonters can submit a public comment to the Green Mountain Care Board until July 24th. Thank you to allies at Vermont Legal Aid for the following information:

Proposed Rate Increase: 

The cost of health insurance is likely to go up in January for roughly 68,324 Vermonters who buy their insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont and MVP Health Care. How much the price goes up will be decided by the Green Mountain Care Board after the rate review hearings in July. BCBSVT asks to raise their premium prices an average of 15.5% for individuals and 14.5% for small businesses. MVP asks to raise their premium prices an average of 12.8% for individuals and 12.5% for small businesses. 

Public Comment:  

Before the hearings in July, the Green Mountain Care Board needs to hear from Vermonters about how premium increases will affect their ability to access affordable health care for themselves and their families. Help encourage those in your network that would be impacted by this change to submit a public comment so that their voices can be heard in this process!  

The HCA’s Role:     

The Office of the Health Care Advocate acts as the consumer voice in the rate review process. We represent the public in rate review hearings and advocate for affordability in our health care system. It’s our responsibility to tell the Green Mountain Care Board how these proposed rate increases impact Vermonters and their families. To bring attention to these proposed rate increases, we are spreading the word about the public comment process. The Green Mountain Care Board is obligated by law to take public comments on proposed rate filings and take this testimony into consideration during the rate review hearings.  

How You Can Help: 

Please share information about the rate review public comment process over social media or any other way you communicate with your network. We have attached a flyer and newsletter that can aid in this effort.  

If anyone you know needs assistance submitting a public comment, or wants individual advice related to health insurance or access to care issues, contact the Office of the Health Care Advocate’s HelpLine at 1-800-917-7787 or visit www.vtlawhelp.org/health.