One insurer’s decision has thrown Obamacare into chaos again.
More than 70,000 Virginians in 48 counties and 15 cities are at risk of having no choices on their Obamacare exchanges next year after insurer Optima Health announced it was scaling back its participation in the state. That’s nearly one in five of the state’s residents residents enrolled in Obamacare policies this year.
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The move opens up a new gaping hole in Obamacare coverage that had been closed last month.
At one point, about 92,000 people in more than 80 counties across the nation were at risk of having no insurers for 2018 after several carriers, particularly Anthem (ANTM), bailed on the health reform law, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. But other carriers, notably Centene (CNC) and CareSource, stepped in to provide coverage.
Related: Trump slashes Obamacare advertising by 90%
Optima pointed to the earlier withdrawal of Anthem, Aetna (AET)and UnitedHealthcare (UNH) from the Virginia market in its announcement. Also, it cited the uncertainty in Washington D.C.
A division of Sentara Healthcare, Optima will continue to provide coverage mainly where Sentara has hospitals and physicians. It is also raising rates, though the majority of its enrollees won’t feel it since they receive federal subsidies. However, the 30% who don’t qualify for assistance will see their premiums skyrocket nearly 82% on average.
Related: Three things Congress could do to quickly stabilize Obamacare
Until recently, Virginia had a relatively robust and healthy Obamacare market. However some areas have gone from three carriers this year to none for next year, said Ken Schrad, spokesman for the state Bureau of Insurance. The agency is hoping to entice another carrier to step in.
“The situation remains fluid and the Bureau of Insurance is in serious ongoing discussions with potential carriers to try to fill the gaps for those localities of Virginia, while monitoring developments at both the federal and state level,” he said.
Virginia officials, however, don’t have much time. Carriers have until Sept. 27 to sign contracts, locking them into participating for 2018.
CNNMoney (New York) First published September 7, 2017: 3:45 PM ET