10 states with the least competitive health insurance markets

Published September 16, 2015 8:32 AM

|

Updated September 16, 2015 11:38 AM

1 Min Read

Overview:

Increasing merger and acquisition activity in the health insurance industry continues to decrease market competition which benefit experts fear will lead to increased premiums for employers and individuals. Recent research from the American Medical Association identified the 10 states with the least competitive health insurance market based on market concentration levels as determined by the HerfindahlHirschman Index or HHIa measure used by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission.

Commercial health insurance market means the combined HMO+PPO+POS market. Ranked in ascending order of least competitive, the ten states are:

10) North Dakota

9) Illinois

8) Nebraska

7) Louisiana

6) South Carolina

5) Alaska

4) Michigan

3) Delaware

2) Hawaii

1) Alabama

MORE FROM EMPLOYEE BENEFIT NEWS

Hybrid Work

Engineer to Olympian: How flexible work helped one employee go for gold

Ulteig's flexible work policies let Luc Violette juggle engineering duties and Olympic curling, giving him a path to compete at the Games.

By Jimmy Nesbitt
Reporter

1h ago
Benefits Think The top 5 financial concerns for Americans in 2026

A financial planning expert shares advice benefit leaders can pass along to their employees.

2h ago

Mamie Wheaton
Diversity and equality

Neurodiverse employees are submitting more accommodation claims at work

Adjusting meeting structures, better sensory environments, investing in assistive technology and having flexible work hours are all ways to support neurodiverse employees.

By Paola Peralta
Associate Editor

April 1
Benefits Think Why ICHRA is no longer a fringe option

Under this model, cost predictability becomes structural, workforce diversity is treated as a design input and choice shifts from theoretical to practical.

April 1

Brandy Thompson
Employee benefits

At this credit union, menopause care gets personal with Progyny

Baxter Credit Union's HR exec added Progyny's menopause program to her benefits lineup — and has become a personal ambassador.

By Lee Hafner
Editor

April 1
Employee benefits

Employees chase lower premiums, only to face higher costs later

A new study finds most employees choose lower-cost health plans during open enrollment, a trend that may lead to higher out-of-pocket costs later.

By Jimmy Nesbitt
Reporter

March 31

Load More