Jamie Barrand | Nov 2, 2015

Comparison shopping on Health Insurance Marketplace could mean savings

Recent studies show 7 out of 10 health insurance consumers returning to the Health Insurance Marketplace could find suitable plans for less than $75 a month and 8 of 10 could find plans for $100 a month or less, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said.  

The best way to find the right plans to fit into a budget, the studies showed, was to shop more than once. By doing so, consumers can save $50 a month - or $610 a year before tax credits.

"If all consumers switched from their current plan to the lowest-cost premium plan in the same metal level, the total savings - to consumers and taxpayers (in premiums and tax credits) - would be $4.5 billion," HHS said. "In 2015, about one-third of consumers who - in a marketplace plan switched to a new plan.

"In addition, nearly 9 out of 10 returning consumers will be able to choose from three or more issuers for 2016 coverage," HHS said. "And on average, consumers can choose from plans sold by five issuers for 2016 coverage, just as they could for 2015 coverage."

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