Some area residents could face steep increases in the cost of their Affordable Care Act health policies

Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield has announced it plans to raise premiums by up to 43 percent next year for plans sold through the Affordable Care Act.

Decorah insurance agent Brian Huinker says people should start exploring their options now and not wait until late this year or early next year to do research.  "I really feel for people who are not able to get insurance through their employer and don't qualify for tax credits on the (ACA) exchange," said Huinker. 

He says the passage of the Affordable Care Act has done little to control costs.  That's more a reflection, he says, of soaring drug costs than criticism of the ACA.  "Someone in Washington needs to regulate the pharmaceutical industry," he says.  Huinker says drug companies charge off all research and development costs of new pharmaceuticals to customers in the United States--but NOT to customers in other countries.  "Why should we have to fund the rest of the world?" he asks.

Additionally, 25 percent of health care costs paid by the Affordable Care Act policies comes from just one percent of the insured.

Huinker says, "If people have individual health plans, they will need to take the time to research options."  Coventry and Medica are two health insurers who have been offering health insurance policies in Winneshiek County in addition to Wellmark.

There are also new rules going into effect for small businesses which offer group health insurance plans that can make the insurance more affordable.