Obamacare Users Finding Fewer Choices; 8 States Will Have Only One Insurer

A higher amount of current Obamacare enrollees will only have one insurance carrier to choose from, according to CNN Money.

That number is 29 percent — up from 20 percent his year, according to Department of Health and Human Services data, CNN reported.

Residents in Alaska, Delaware, Iowa, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Wyoming will only have one insurer, an increase from five states that only had one in 2017, the report said.

Carriers had to sign contracts in September that would require them to participate in 2018. September was before they knew whether congressional Republicans would repeal Obamacare or if President Donald Trump would take some action against it.

Around 132 insurers will offer policies on the federal exchange — healthcare.gov, which handles enrollment in 39 states — for 2018, a downturn from 167 in 2017 and 237 in 2016.

In 2018, enrollees will have 25 plans to choose from, down from 30 in 2017, CNN reported.

"When there's less competition, it's harder to get a health plan that meets your needs," said Chris Sloan, Avalere Health senior manager.

Rates for the benchmark silver plan are increasing by 37 percent, but most enrollees will be protected from the increase by premium subsidies, an October CNN Money report said.

Obamacare enrollment appears to be on track to have its best year, according to Bloomberg's Megan McArdle.

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