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Some customers in line for rebates from Highmark Blue Cross

Delaware Public Media

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware will issue rebates totaling over $12.3 million to some Delawareans.

The money will not be for all Delawareans who use Highmark. 

Delaware Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro notes certain Highmark customers can expect to get money back.

"So not everyone who has a Highmark plan will see a rebate, but everyone who has a plan that they purchased through healthcare.gov on the ACA - the individual exchange - will see a rebate."

The rebates are a result of the Medical Loss Ratio, which requires insurers to pay at least 80 percent of premiums they collect to services and claims. Navarro explains why this means some people are getting rebates.

"The MLR requirement requires refunds to policyholders or plan holder's that the insurer does not meet that standard which is calculated as a three-year average," said Navarro. "So with the 12.3 million dollars being refunded this year related to 2018, 2019, and 2020."

The rebate checks will be mailed out to individuals and small businesses the week of September 15 according to Navarro.

$8.4 million will go to just under 21,000 individual policyholders with the average rebate being $405, and $3.9 million will go to small businesses with a little under 2,600 groups receiving an average rebate of $1,514.

20 groups will receive rebates over $10,000.

Employers can use those dollars to enhance benefits, reduce premiums for employees, or provide refunds directly to group health plan participants.

Navarro notes this is the second time in the history of the ACA that there have been individual refunds.

Joe brings over 20 years of experience in news and radio to Delaware Public Media and the All Things Considered host position. He joined DPM in November 2019 as a reporter and fill-in ATC host after six years as a reporter and anchor at commercial radio stations in New Castle and Sussex Counties.
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