- A study done by researchers from New York and Columbia Universities found that premiums were slightly higher for policies offered on state-run health exchanges where there were higher numbers of competitors, precisely the opposite effect that supposedly characterizes more intense competition.
- Overall, average monthly premiums were $5.71 higher per additional insurer (p<0.001). In addition, average monthly premiums were $3.18 higher per additional insurer for identical plans offered.
- The analysis focused on the prices for each unique insurance plan offered on the exchanges in each geographic rating area. The number of rating areas varied widely in the 34 states examined, from only one in NJ, NH and DE to 67 in FL.
- The authors acknowledge that the higher premiums may be due to higher cost areas (urban vs rural) where more insurers are located rather than a lack of competition.
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