Board approves increase in state's health care costs

The board that oversees the state's landmark health care law has voted to approve increases in premiums and co-payments for people enrolled in the subsidized health insurance plan.

About half the 177,000 people enrolled will have to pay a bit more for health care under the increases approved by the Health Care Connector board.

For example, people who are just above the federal poverty level will have to pay $18 co-payments instead of $10 for a visit to a specialist.

The Connector Board also approved contracts with four providers that include an increase in payments of 12.1 percent over last year. That was lower than the original 15.4 percent increase the health care providers had requested.

For previous Globe coverage, click here. (AP)