Higher premiums for womenUntil the advent of the ACA, 92% of the best-selling health insurance plans in the individual market determined premiums based on gender. That meant that women paid 60% more, on average, for health insurance than men. Since insurers can no longer consider gender when pricing health insurance, many women will see their costs drop. Asking about preexisting conditionsIf you ever had a C-section, filled a prescription for an antidepressant, or were a victim of domestic violence, then it’s likely that you pay more for individual health insurance—if you can find it. Those have all been considered preexisting conditions, and basing coverage on these kinds of issues has long had a disproportional impact on women, given our higher rates of chronic conditions like depression and autoimmune disease, Cohen says.
