CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – Health insurance companies face pressure as they negotiate their 2026 rates, and thousands of customers will be affected.
It’s time for state regulators to decide which rate proposals will be approved, and many will feel the impact. Six insurers now have the green light from the Division of Insurance for prices to increase officially. Insurers argue that they have little choice due to growing provider costs, while small business employees say this will put more strain on the state’s affordability.
Premiums for many Massachusetts residents will increase from seven percent to an average of 12 percent in 2026. That includes Fallon Community Health Plan, Health New England, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Mass General Brigham Health Plan, Tufts Health Public Plans, and UnitedHealthcare Insurance. The increases will affect those on the merged market, which provides a subset of Bay Staters with health insurance through individual and small business plans, according to the State House News Service.
Two carriers aren’t on the list. Blue Cross Blue Shield and WellSense Health Plan had their proposed increases rejected by state regulators, being told it was ‘excessive’. In this case, they must either appeal or go back to square one.
Governor Maura Healey is challenging insurers for passing these rates. In a statement, she says, “Health care costs, as reflected in the proposed rates filed by health insurers, are simply unsustainable. I directed our Insurance Commissioner to closely scrutinize these filings as part of the rate review process.”
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