Self-insured couple shocked over health insurance increase

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The new year could mean a change in costs including food prices, gas prices and health care prices.
 
Becky Chavaree and her husband own the home remodeling company Accent Renovations and are self-insured.
 
They just found out health insurance for them and their daughter is going up almost $200 a month to more than $1,100 and that doesn't include vision or dental.
 
"It makes the difference of being able to do possibly extracurricular activities for her," Chavaree said. "It could be a small car payment."
 
Insurance plans through employers increased by about 4 percent this year.

If your insurance is through the Affordable Care Act and you don't switch your plan, Kaiser Research shows it will increase 15 percent on average next year.

Expect other costs to rise in 2016, as the price of food will increase 2 to 3 percent.

The cost of monthly rent has climbed steadily and is expected to continue to go up as well, sources said.

Ben Keever's rent was set to rise $70 a month.

"I thought it was kind of ridiculous,” Keever said. “Kind of crazy, being a college student, I don't have much money."

There is a silver lining.

It's possible you may get a raise, but it depends on what you do. Pay increases have been slow and uneven and haven't kept up with the cost of living, sources said.

Gas prices are expected to stay relatively low.
 
That's good news for Robbie Johnston, who drives about 200 miles a day as an appliance repairman.
 
"Nobody can afford to pay $4 or $5 a gallon," he said.
 
Your best shot at saving cash is shopping around for insurance, groceries and rent, sources said.

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