Health Insurers are out with plans for the uninsured that are dramatically less expensive than initial estimates.

The Patrick Administration has announced new dramatically lower prices for health insurance plans that will be offered to some of the state's uninsured residents. The so-called "Commonwealth Choice" plans would cost an average aged resident 175 dollars a month.listen to our story here...

Is $175 affordable, keeping in mind that co-pays for office visits (some would be $25) and prescriptions (some plans would charge $25 for generics and $50 for brand name drugs) will be higher?

From the AP:
The average monthly premiums of the lower-cost health care plans recommended for approval this week vary based on insurer, geographic region of the state, and age. The following are average costs for the seven insurers based on region. The first premium is for young adults, the second for an average 37-year-old resident, and the third for a 57-year-old:

Eastern Region:
Neighborhood Health Plan: $144; $175; $347
Fallon Community Health Plan: N/A
Tufts Health Plan: $206; $242; $461
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts: $212; $275; $504
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care: $147; $288; $414
Health New England: N/A
ConnectiCare: N/A
___

Central Region:
Neighborhood Health Plan: $126; $154; $308
Fallon Community Health Plan: $128; $176; $304
Tufts Health Plan: $192; $225; $428
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts: $198; $256; $470
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care: $132; $257; $369
Health New England: N/A
ConnectiCare: N/A
___

Western Region:
Neighborhood Health Plan: $126; $154; $305
Fallon Community Health Plan: N/A
Tufts Health Plan: N/A
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts: $198; $256; $470
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care: $148; $289; $415
Health New England: $201; $238; $377
ConnectiCare: $202; $246; $379

Source: Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Board