King v. Burwell ruling could cause consumers' health insurance premiums to skyrocket

If the Supreme Court rules in favor of the plaintiffs in King v. Burwell, federal exchange customers' average annual health insurance premiums could rise by $3,300 in 2015, according to an analysis by healthcare advisory firm Avalere. Eighty-five percent of marketplace enrollees rely on subsides in the 34 states that have a federal exchange--the same states whose residents' subsidies would be stripped in a ruling in favor of the plaintiffs in King. But the effects on consumers would vary from state to state. Alaskan residents would see a $6,400 annual premium increase, while Arizonans would only face $1,900 in premium increases, according to the report. "The ACA has fundamentally shifted the insurance market, and the elimination of subsidies would mean the vast majority of those adversely affected will struggle to maintain access to care," Avalere CEO Dan Mendelson said in an accompanying statement. Report