Health insurers offering Affordable Care Act plans on the District of Columbia's exchange requested an average 14.9% rate increase for individual plans.

In the individual market, CareFirst proposed an average increase of 9.5% for HMO plans, and 16.7% for PPO plans. Kaiser proposed an average increase of 20%.

For small group plans, CareFirst filed average rate increases of 3.2% for HMO plans and 5.2% for PPO plans. Kaiser's rates range from a decrease of 6.9% to a 22% increase in its small group rates. Aetna Inc. filed for an average increase of 23.76% for PPO plans and 18.13% for HMO plans. UnitedHealth Group Inc. proposed an average rate hike of 17.9% for its PPO and HMO plans.

Overall, 180 plans were filed, compared to 177 filed in the previous year. The number of small group plans increased from 151 to 155, and individual plans decreased from 26 to 25.

District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking Commissioner Stephen Taylor said that the department will hold a hearing on Aug. 14 to hear from actuaries and the public before approving the rates.