Proposed Connecticut Health Insurance Rate Hikes: What to Know

Connecticut health insurance carriers are proposing double-digit rate increases for 2027, seeking an average hike of 16.2% for individual policies and 17.8% for small group plans. These proposed adjustments, which follow significant rate increases approved last year, affect approximately 220,000 residents across the state, according to data from the Connecticut Insurance Department.

What are the proposed rate increases?

Insurers have submitted varying requests for the upcoming coverage year. Anthem Health Plans has requested an average rate hike of 12.8% for individual plans covering 103,176 people, with individual policy adjustments ranging from a 3.4% decrease to a 13.3% increase. ConnectiCare Benefits Inc. has requested a higher average increase of 22.7% for individual plans affecting 50,114 residents, with proposed changes between 20.8% and 25.2%. For small group policies, Anthem has sought an average increase of 17.4% for 46,934 covered individuals.

Did You Know? The Connecticut Insurance Department previously approved an average rate hike of 16.8% for individual health plans and 11% for small group policies for the 2026 coverage year.

Why are costs rising for consumers?

Insurance carriers attribute the proposed hikes to the rising costs of administering health plans. According to the Connecticut Insurance Department, companies cite several contributing factors, including the increased expense of prescription drugs and higher demand for medical services. Stephanie DuBois, a spokesperson for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, noted that legislative mandates and restrictions on a carrier’s ability to manage costs also place pressure on rate development. Additionally, the expiration of federal subsidies has been identified by state officials as a factor influencing recent pricing trends.

Fed Dissents Spur Wagers on 2027 Rate Hike

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that these double-digit requests highlight a recurring struggle between maintaining carrier solvency and ensuring consumer affordability. The process underscores the regulatory tension where state actuaries must balance rising medical utilization trends against the financial strain on households already facing broader inflationary pressures in housing and groceries.

How will the state review these requests?

The Connecticut Insurance Department is responsible for reviewing and potentially amending these requests to ensure they are not excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory. Actuaries within the department examine total expenditure trends, service utilization, and expected claim severity. Following a public comment period and an in-person hearing scheduled for August, the department will issue final decisions, typically in late summer or early fall. These decisions will set the stage for open enrollment, which begins on November 1.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who determines if these rate hikes are approved?
The Connecticut Insurance Department reviews all requests and has the authority to approve, reject, or amend the proposed rates.

How can residents provide input on the proposed increases?
Residents can submit comments online through the insurance department’s website or by mail to P.O. Box 816, Hartford, CT 06142-0816.

When will consumers know the final rates for 2027?
The state typically announces final decisions in late summer or early fall, well ahead of the November 1 open enrollment start date.

How might these proposed rate adjustments impact your household budget for the upcoming year?