With additional carriers, New Hampshire residents to have 60-plus health plans to choose from

There will be more than 60 health plans available to consumers in New Hampshire when enrollment begins next month, up from the 11 offered during the first year of the federal health care overhaul.

Five carriers will be offering plans starting Nov. 15 and individuals will have 40 plans to choose from, while small businesses will have 21, according to Covering New Hampshire, the organization that provides information about the Affordable Care Act in the state.

So far, three of the five companies that will sell policies for coverage that begins Jan. 1 have released estimated premiums. For comparison purposes, the premium for a 40-year-old non-smoker in the so-called "silver plans" are estimated to range from $270 per month to $288 per month. AT Harvard Pilgrim Care the premium would be $279 per month, while Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Hampshire would be $281 per month and Maine Community Health Options would be $288 per month.

Premiums vary based on the individual, deductible amounts and copayments.

Two other carriers, Minuteman Health and Assurant Health, have not yet released anticipated premiums.

Some individuals may be eligible for tax credits or access to the state's expanded Medicaid system. Individuals earning less than $16,000 a year or a family of four with an annual income less than $32,500 are eligible for the expanded Medicaid coverage.

Anthem was the only company selling health plans through the new marketplace this year and was criticized for including only 16 of 26 hospitals in the network. This time around, each hospital in the state is expected to be included in at least three of the provider networks.