Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield is set to increase premiums for about 12% of its customers after receiving approval from New York State regulators.
Rates for individual plans will rise by up to 18.3%, while small group plans will see a 10.5% hike. The changes, effective next year, will impact roughly 167,000 customers across 39 counties.
These increases come as Excellus faces ongoing contract disputes with major healthcare providers, including FamilyCare Medical Group and Trinity Health’s St. Joseph’s Hospital.
Both providers have warned patients that they may lose coverage under Excellus plans by January 1 due to disagreements over reimbursement rates.
Excellus has defended the premium hikes, citing rising healthcare costs and patient demand.
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