ANS approves increase of up to 6.91% in individual health plans; see how it affects your pocket
The change is valid for the contracts of almost 8 million beneficiaries in the period from May 2024 to April 2025. The decision does not apply to collective plans, whether corporate or membership.
Operators will be able to apply the adjustment in the contract anniversary month - Photo Reproduction/Shutterstock
The National Supplementary Health Agency (ANS) approved this Tuesday (4) one increase of up to 6.91% in individual and family health plans. The adjustment will be valid from May 2024 to April 2025 for the contracts of almost 8 million beneficiaries. This change does not apply to collective plans, whether corporate or membership. According to ANS, the operator may apply the adjustment in the month of the contract's anniversary, that is, in the month in which the plan was contracted. For contracts with anniversaries in May and June, billing should begin in July or, at the latest, in August, retroactive to the month of the contract's anniversary.
What is the adjustment in individual health plans?
The readjustment of individual health plans is an annual process that aims to balance operators' costs and ensure the sustainability of the sector. The ANS is responsible for defining a maximum increase rate, taking into account several factors, such as medical inflation and the frequency of use of services.
How does this affect consumers' pockets?
The increase in individual health plans directly impacts the pockets of consumers, who will have to pay higher monthly payments. Medical and hospital plans contracted from January 1999 or adapted to Law No. 9,656/98 will have a valid adjustment. In practice, the increase in plans could be twice as high as the inflation accumulated in one year. For example, in the last 12 months ending in April, the IPCA was 3.69%. It is important to highlight that in addition to inflation, other factors such as the frequency of use of the health plan and the costs of medical services and supplies also affect the final value of the plan.
According to Alexandre Fioranelli, director of standards and product qualification at ANS, the data used for the adjustment was verified by the Secretariat of Economic Reforms of the Ministry of Finance. He highlights that the calculation was approved by the body and is adequate to maintain the economic-financial balance of the operators. Fioranelli also highlights the importance of this methodology, which is based on the variation in operators' medical expenses and an inflation index, providing predictability and transparency for society as a whole.
Change history
The last adjustment in health plan prices, announced by ANS on June 12, 2023, was up to 9.63%. This change took effect on May 1, 2023 and remained in effect until April 30, 2024. Previously, on May 26, 2022, there was an adjustment of 15.5%, the highest recorded since records began in 2000. In 2016, the maximum adjustment had been 13.57%. According to the agency's data, the only year in which there was a reduction in the price limit for individual health plans was in 2021, with a drop of 8.19%.
This decrease was caused by the decrease in the use of medical services due to the Covid-19 pandemic, including the postponement of surgeries and exams. According to the Brazilian Association of Health Plans (Abramge), the negative variation in 2021 and subsequent positive variation in 2022 were the result of the transfer of medical expenses due to the period of social isolation during the pandemic.
Consumer alternatives
Compare the values and benefits offered by different operators. Look for plans that best suit your needs and that have more affordable monthly fees. The National Supplementary Health Agency (ANS) provides a complete guide on its website with all health plans available for purchase in Brazil. Furthermore, ANS offers different communication channels so that consumers can register complaints related to irregularities and service problems.
Disk ANS: 0800 701 9656
Contact us: www.gov.br/ans
Helpline for the Hearing Impaired: 0800 021 2105
