Weight loss drug demand means higher premiums at Health Connector – Boston News, Weather, Sports [Video]

As the state health insurance marketplace prepares for open enrollment in November, officials say the steep cost of popular weight-loss drugs has fueled higher premiums.

Increased provider rates also contributed to the rise in insurance premiums impacting the Massachusetts Health Connector, which offers health and dental coverage for individuals, families and businesses through carriers including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, UnitedHealthcare and Mass General Brigham.

For 2025’s open enrollment period, average merged markets rates — calculated across qualified health plans for individuals and small employers — increased by 7.9 percent before adjusting for age, said Kristopher Harackiewicz, senior director of plan management and carrier relations at the Connector. That uptick, which was approved by the Division of Insurance for medical plans, exceeds last year’s increase of 3.2 percent, he said.

“Massachusetts is not alone in seeing these higher rate increases for plan year 2025,” Harackiewicz told the Health Connector …