The Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) must review and approve all individual health plan rates prior to their use. This emergency rule adjusts health insurer rate development components for Plan Year 2026 to preserve consumer affordability and stability in Washington state’s individual health insurance market. It applies a uniform cost-sharing reduction silver load adjustment factor to rates for silver level qualified health plans (QHPs) sold on the Washington state Health Benefit Exchange. This emergency rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare by keeping health insurance affordable for up to 80,000 individuals who are at risk of losing health insurance when the Enhanced Advance Premium Tax Credits (eAPTCs) expire on December 31, 2025.
