Idaho’s premiums through its new state health insurance exchange so far are coming in below the average, Joy Wilson, director of health and human services policy for the National Conference of State Legislatures, told Idaho lawmakers this morning. “The rates vary tremendously from state to state,” Wilson told the Legislature’s joint Health Care Task Force. She offered some figures for a 27-year-old, before any tax credits: For the lowest “bronze” level benefit plan, the average was $163 a month; Idaho’s rate is $150. For the lowest silver plan, average was $203, Idaho’s is $182; and for the lowest gold-level plan, average is $240 and Idaho’s rate is $211. For catastrophic plans, Idaho was slightly above the average for a 27-year-old, at $134, compared to $129.

Alaska and Wyoming have the highest rates, Wilson said, because “they’re people-challenged – they don’t have a lot of people, so there’s not a lot of competition. And their rates reflect that.” She said, “We’ll have to see where rates go over time. … Insurers are being cautious. Most of them are staying in markets that they’re familiar with, they’re not branching out.”

Wilson told lawmakers the initial comparisons show “you come out pretty well, actually, in terms of your rates. And this will make a difference, of course, in terms of your take-up. Rates are going to be very important, particularly to the young people.”