The Delaware Department of Insurance approves rates for Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance plans offered on the Delaware Health Insurance Marketplace for plan year 2027. The department says the increases filed by carriers are actuarially justified and reflect national policy changes, federal budget actions and the expiry of the enhanced advance premium tax credits. The rates do not apply to Medicare, Medicaid, or group or individual policies purchased outside Healthcare.gov. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield requested an increase of 20.20 per cent, and an average increase of 17.20 per cent was approved. The carrier markets 16 comprehensive plans and one catastrophic plan. AmeriHealth Caritas’ request was adjusted to a final average of 13.94 per cent following actuarial discussion with the department. The carrier offers nine plans. Off-market individual offerings include 13 plans from AmeriHealth Caritas and 20 from Highmark, both receiving increases that align with their marketplace rates. Delta Dental increases rates by an average of 4.3 per cent across two marketplace family plans. Dominion Dental increases ACA premiums by an average of 5.8 per cent across two plans. Off-market small group options for the coming plan year finalise in October. Rate submissions show 32 plan options offered by Highmark at a requested 19.8 per cent increase. Trinidad Navarro, Delaware insurance commissioner, says: "Federal actions have made health coverage more expensive nationwide, and Delaware is not immune. Our team has worked to limit increases wherever actuarially possible, while ensuring carriers have sufficient funds to pay the high health care costs of our state." The department reviewed the filings with independent actuaries and the Office of Value-Based Health Care Delivery. Open enrolment for plan year 2027 begins on 1 November.
