Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield pulls out of Wisconsin individual health plans

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield has decided to almost completely pull out of offering individual health plans in Wisconsin starting in 2018. 

In a press release the insurance company said, "the Wisconsin individual market remains volatile, making planning and pricing for ACA-compliant health plans increasingly difficult due to a shrinking and deteriorating individual market, as well as continual changes and uncertainty in federal operations, rules and guidance, including cost sharing reduction subsidies and the restoration of taxes on fully insured coverage."

The only plan that will be offered is one off-exchange medical plan in Menominee County only.

The pull out does not affect people who previously purchased a transitional Individual or family health plan — otherwise known as grandfathered (purchased before March 2010) or grandmothered plans (purchased before December 2013) – nor does it impact Anthem’s employer-based, Medicare Advantage or Medicaid plans.

Members who currently have an Individual or family plan will continue to have coverage through December 31, 2017.  As the Wisconsin Individual market continues to evolve, Anthem will continue to advocate solutions that will stabilize the market to allow us to return and offer consumers in Wisconsin Individual health plan solutions in the future. 

Governor Walker released the following statement on the pull out:

"Obamacare is collapsing. Growing uncertainty in the health insurance market was created by Obamacare’s costly regulations and it is causing higher premiums and a lack of options. If we do nothing, more companies will back out and more people will lose coverage. Wisconsin families expect and deserve better health care coverage options and the time to act is now."