SALEM, Ore. — Oregon health insurers have submitted proposed rate increases for 2027 individual and small group health plans, beginning a months-long review process that will include public comment and regulatory scrutiny before final rates are approved.
Despite changes in the market, state officials say Oregonians will continue to have multiple health insurance options available. Four insurers — Kaiser Permanente, Moda Health, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon, and BridgeSpan Health Company — submitted plans for the individual market in 2027.
Three carriers — Moda, BridgeSpan, and Regence — plan to offer coverage statewide, while Kaiser Permanente will provide plans in 11 counties. Providence Health Plan and PacificSource Health Plans are leaving Oregon’s individual market at the end of 2026 and did not submit rate filings for the coming year.
In the individual market, insurers requested average rate increases ranging from 11.7% for BridgeSpan to 25% for Moda. The weighted average requested increase is 17.5%, significantly higher than the 9.7% average increase approved for 2026.
Small businesses could also see higher costs next year. Six insurers submitted small group rate requests ranging from 9.5% for Kaiser Permanente to 28.9% for UnitedHealthcare. The weighted average requested increase is 17%, compared with 11.5% last year.
State regulators say Oregon’s Reinsurance Program continues to play a key role in limiting premium increases. The program is expected to reduce rates by an average of 9.7% in 2027, marking the ninth consecutive year it has helped lower premiums for consumers.
Oregon has submitted a renewal request to the federal government to continue the reinsurance program, and lawmakers approved Gov. Tina Kotek’s 2025–27 funding plan to maintain the revenue sources supporting the program.
According to the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR), several factors are driving higher rate requests. The expiration of enhanced federal Affordable Care Act premium subsidies has contributed to declining enrollment, with the individual market shrinking from approximately 161,000 enrollees in 2025 to about 140,000 in 2026. Small group enrollment fell from roughly 142,000 to 134,000 during the same period.
Insurance companies also cited federal policy uncertainty, inflation, rising healthcare costs, and the impact of tariffs on pharmaceutical drugs and durable medical equipment as factors increasing the cost of coverage.
“Oregon consumers are facing challenging times with expiring premium tax credits, rising health insurance rates across the country, and two carriers leaving the Oregon market,” said Oregon Insurance Commissioner TK Keen. “With the losses of Providence and PacificSource in the individual market, there are fewer options, but there are still three options in every Oregon county to choose from, and the Oregon Reinsurance Program continues to stabilize the market and keep rates lower than they would be by almost 10 percent next year.”
The DFR will conduct a detailed review of each filing to determine whether the requested rates are justified and no higher than necessary to cover expected healthcare costs.
A virtual public hearing on the proposed rate increases is scheduled for 2 p.m. on July 13. An additional meeting is scheduled for July 31 if needed, though officials encourage residents to submit comments and participate by the July 13 meeting because the second hearing could be canceled.
During the hearings, insurance companies will present their proposals, answer questions from regulators, and hear comments from the public. Public comments will be accepted through July 13. Information on how to attend the virtual meetings will be posted at OregonHealthRates.org.
“We look forward to a thorough and transparent process putting these rate requests through a rigorous public review, and we encourage the public to join the virtual public meeting and provide feedback on their health insurance plans,” Keen said. “This public process not only helps keep insurance companies accountable, but it gives Oregonians the opportunity to be part of the process.”
The Division of Financial Regulation expects to announce final decisions on 2027 health insurance rates in September.
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