Good financial news for health plans coming out Q2, but caution is needed in terms of the future.
About The Podcast:
Millions of Americans feel confused and frustrated in their search for quality healthcare coverage.
Between out-of-control costs, countless inefficiencies, a lack of affordable universal access, and little focus on wellness and prevention, the system is clearly in dire need of change.
Hosted by healthcare policy and technology expert Marc S. Ryan, the Healthcare Labyrinth Podcast offers accessible, incisive deep dives on the most pressing issues and events in American healthcare.
Marc seeks to help Americans become wiser consumers and navigate the healthcare maze with more confidence and certainty through The Healthcare Labyrinth website and his book of the same name.
Marc is an unconventional Republican who believes that affordable universal access is a wise and prudent investment. He recommends common-sense solutions to reform American healthcare.
Tune in every week as Marc examines the latest developments in space, offering analysis, insights, and predictions on the changing state of healthcare in America.
About The Episode:
In this episode, Marc discusses the good financial news for health plans coming out Q2, but argues caution is needed in terms of the future.
Key Takeaways:
Q2 financial results were positive overall for health plans.
Health plans have been meticulous and practiced surgical precision in getting back to margin.
Benefit cutbacks, exits, and reductions have dominated thinking in almost every line of business.
The bigger more diversified healthcare entities performed the best.
Medicare Advantage appears to be recovering well with financial discipline, but there are storm clouds ahead with tight rates, poor quality Star results, and a risk adjustment crackdown.
Medicaid and Exchanges appear more predictable right now as well, with similar peril in the future due to program reductions.
Employer coverage is generally the most stable, but passing on costs to employers and employees has limits.
The plan recovery will not be lasting unless we tackle the huge surge in costs and unaffordability.
Connect With Marc:
Resources:
The Healthcare Labyrinth: A Guide to Navigating Health Plans and Fixing American Health Insurance
