Number of uninsured drops, mixed results on costs

According to an annual report from the Insurance Department, the number of uninsured individuals in New Hampshire decreased from 9% in 2014 to 6% in 2015.

Most New Hampshire residents – 57% – got health insurance through an employer in 2015.  25% used Medicaid and/or Medicare.  The remainder purchased insurance individually, sometimes with government subsidies, or had other coverage, such as the military insurance Tricare.

Medicaid and Medicare enrollment increased the most from 2014 to 2015, with an increase of 0.6%.  Employer coverage only increased by 0.2%.

In theory, increased insurance coverage means fewer individuals seek treatment they can’t pay for, often in emergency rooms.  Costs are shared more evenly across everyone. 

The report from the Insurance Department shows mixed results on costs.

Employer-based insurance premiums increased slower than the national average in 2015, while premiums in the individual market were roughly level.  The average deductible increased for employer-based insurance, but the average deductible in the individual market decreased. 

The Insurance Department found that the largest driver of costs in 2015 was actually prescriptions.  According to their press release, “Pharmacy costs increased almost 9 percent and comprised 19 percent of all medical costs” in 2015. 

Do you have an opinion on the health insurance market in New Hampshire?  Let us know in the comments.