HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) – Rates are going up on health insurance plans offered in Pennsylvania under the Affordable Care Act.

Insurance company rates, based on requests for 2017, will increase an average of 32.5 percent for individual plans and 7.1 percent for small group plans, Insurance Commissioner Teresa Miller announced Monday.

Miller also announced the Insurance Department is seeking permission to support a lawsuit Highmark filed against the federal government.

“Washington’s refusal to live up to the law it passed and fund risk corridor payments to insurers that incurred higher claims than expected has led to large insurer losses and companies leaving the exchange,” Miller said.

Highmark sued the federal government for the payments, which the company says cost it $223 million in 2014 alone.

Open enrollment for ACA plans begins Nov. 1. To avoid any lapse in coverage, consumers must enroll in a plan for 2017 by Dec. 15.

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