Tennessee’s individual health insurance market is poised for new entrants and territory expansions from existing insurers in 2019 — a sharp reversal of the diminishing options that many shoppers faced in recent years.
Bright Health and Celtic/Ambetter plan to offer insurance that complies with the Affordable Care Act, per filings with the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance.
>Read more: Competition shakes up Tennessee ACA exchange: Highlights urban-rural divide, ups interest in cost impact
Meanwhile, Cigna and Oscar plan to expand their footprint, according to the TDCI.
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee will continue to offer individual insurance around the state with the exception of the greater Memphis and Nashville areas.
The Tennessee insurance market has been beset by defections as insurers grappled with high claims cost and losses in the early years of the federal marketplace.
However, filings from BCBST and Cigna this time last year indicated a better understanding of how people used the plans. But the premiums for 2018 were higher due to volatility from federal policy uncertainty.
Insurers had to file their intentions by June 20. Rate filings, or the request for premiums, will be due on July 11.
Where insurers intend to sell:
- BCBST: Everywhere but greater Memphis and Nashville
- Bright Health: New entrant. Greater Knoxville, Memphis and Nashville
- Ambetter by Celtic: New Entrant. Greater Chattanooga and Memphis
- Cigna: Expanding into Knoxville while keeping its Nashville, Memphis and Tri-Cities presence
- Oscar: Expanding into Memphis while maintaining its Nashville presence
Note: This article will be updated.