Recently I’ve read several articles regarding the skyrocketing health insurance premiums we can expect in the coming months. James Brown, the Montana Commissioner of Securities & Insurance (CSI) kindly issued a warning regarding these impending rate hikes. You can find his statement here: Montana State Auditor James Brown Issues Statement on Anticipated Affordable Care Act Rate Increases – Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance
How it Started
Health Insurance as an industry was originally designed to make health care affordable during the financial crisis in 1929 we know as The Great Depression. It was not designed to manage care or health outcomes, nor was it intended for profit. The concept of spreading out costs by prepaying in small amounts helped alleviate the burden of paying a large bill all at once. This model was community-oriented and nonprofit, aimed at providing support on a community level.
During the early 1940s, employers were restricted from raising wages (due to WWII), so they began offering employer-paid health insurance as an added benefit to attract workers. In 1943, the IRS ruled that employer-paid health insurance would be tax-exempt, which further encouraged the practice.
Commercial Insurance entered the equation in the 1950s -1970s with indemnity plans, risk-based models and managed care. What initially was a community-oriented model turned into a risk-based model based upon one’s assessed personal health condition. This is also when we started to see increasing healthcare costs.
How it’s Going
According to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, medical care prices have risen approximately 1,588.5% from 1970 to 2025, meaning a $1,000 bill in 1970 now costs about $16,885 in 2025. During the same period, health insurance premiums have also increased significantly. From 1996 to 2024, family health insurance premiums jumped roughly 339%. It is essential to note that inflation has also played a role in this increase.
While this figure may seem extreme at first glance, it is important to consider their estimated $50-60 million spent on lobbying (in 2024) and their average profit margin of 6% (estimated $20 billion for the largest insurers). After all, they have families to feed, right?
Reality
While regular health insurance is still the preferred option in Montana, these new rates may make it unaffordable for both businesses and individuals to continue much longer without drastic changes.
Personally, I’ve seen a mindset shift in the last handful of years from the symptom management of western medicine to proactive wellness care. Individuals are taking responsibility for their own health, choosing an active lifestyle and wellness-based approach to avoid the need for pharmaceuticals whenever possible and live a more full life. Yes, I recognize there are many fads people are trying out through this process. Still, the overall awareness of the poor condition of our food and the knowledge of what our bodies need to heal and function well continues to increase dramatically.
Alongside this trend is the growing desire to address health care in a more natural way, focusing on the root causes of chronic conditions instead of symptom management. Functional medicine, integrative medicine, and naturopathic doctors are increasingly sought after to address the complexities of illnesses that standard western medicine often overlooks.
Do I Have Options?
Yes, you do! Commissioner Brown listed several insurance resources in his article so I will add a couple of lesser-known resources that might interest you to research further. It is important to note that many of these insurance alternatives are for standard care and not for catastrophic events. Some families do well with one or choose to supplement with other coverages. Please research thoroughly and understand your options before deciding which model(s) are right for you.
Models such as Direct Primary Care (DPC) cut out insurance, eliminating those extra costs, and you deal directly with your chosen provider. These can be set up in different ways but membership and expanded access are typical.
Free Market Healthcare Hub is a new Montana resource for finding a DPC provider.
Cost sharing models are also an option. The oldest and most well-known are likely Christian Healthcare Ministries and Samaritan Ministries with Crowd Health being a newer company that is gaining popularity. These come with more rules and can be trickier to navigate but those I’ve spoken with who currently use this model are very happy with it overall.
Some larger businesses are exploring self-funding their insurance. The funding requirements are steep, but if you are already paying substantially for health benefits for your employees, it may be worthwhile to assess if this could be a good fit.
Moving Forward
While standard health insurance still has its place (and sometimes it’s the only one that shows up during a catastrophe), it’s worth remembering that the system we have today is a far cry from its original, community-driven roots. We’ve traded neighborhood support for profit margins and wellness for symptom management. The good news? You have options! From Direct Primary Care to cost-sharing communities, there’s a growing movement of people reclaiming control over their health and dollars. Whether you stick with your current plan, supplement it, or explore something new, the key is to be informed, intentional, and open to reimagining what “health care” means to you.