The NC Health Insurance landscape has changed dramatically since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law in 2010 and implemented in 2014.  Otherwise known as Obamacare, the ACA was the single biggest change in health insurance history since Medicare took effect in 1965.  Over the last six years, North Carolinians have seen significant changes in how they purchase health insurance, what is available to them as consumers, how health insurance effects their taxes, and how much it will cost to insure themselves and their families.  In fact, in 2015 health insurance in North Carolina saw some of the biggest rate increases in history with the average cost of plans increasing over 25%.

As Open Enrollment 2017 approaches, North Carolina, as well as many other states across the nation, are experiencing a new upheaval as some of the largest insurance companies in the U.S are pulling out of the ACA Market altogether.  In April 2016, United Healthcare announced that it would pull out of most of the nation’s exchanges, including North Carolina, which was a big hit to the residents of the state, leaving only two companies offering individual health insurance plans.  A statement by UnitedHealth Group cited a “smaller overall market size and shorter-term, higher-risk profile within this market” as the reason the company chose to exit.

But that was just the beginning.   (more…)