Obamacare Markets Showing Signs Of Profitability

Although Republicans often point to signs suggesting the individual insurance markets are collapsing, recent analysis suggests they are stabilizing, Politico reports. Other news outlets look at insurance issues including some companies' move to cover early chronic health problems to forestall bigger expenses later and efforts to keep beneficiaries out of emergency rooms.

“Obamacare is dead,” President Donald Trump frequently declares. But reports of its demise appear to be premature. For the first time ever this year, insurers selling plans in Obamacare’s markets appear to be on a path toward profitability. And despite the drumbeat of headlines about fleeing insurers, only about 25,000 Obamacare customers live in communities facing the prospect of having no insurer next year. (Demko, 7/12)

Diabetes, high blood pressure and other chronic conditions account for the vast majority of health spending in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Almost half of American adults have one or more chronic physical or mental health conditions, and spending on them adds up to some $2.3 trillion a year. Some health plans are beginning to offer free maintenance care for people with chronic health problems, hoping that spending a little more early on will save a lot [of] money in the long run. (Zdechlik, 7/12)

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, one of Missouri’s largest insurers, no longer covers emergency room visits that it deems unnecessary. The policy aims to save costs and direct low-risk patients to primary care physicians and urgent care clinics. But doctors say patients may avoid going to a hospital when they really need it, if they fear a large bill. (Bouscaren 7/12)

Thursday, the Senate's health care bill, version 2.0, will be made public. Smaller businesses, in particular, will be interested because providing health care benefits can be a significant expense for them. (Ryssdal, Henderson and Hollenhorst, 7/12)

And in other insurance news --

Startup Bright Health is betting it can compete in the lucrative market of covering U.S. seniors as congressional debate keeps the future of Obamacare’s insurance plans in limbo. Bright Health is preparing to offer Medicare Advantage plans in three markets next year in close collaboration with local health systems: Birmingham, Alabama; Phoenix, Arizona; and the Denver-Boulder area of Colorado. The company offered Obamacare plans in that area of Colorado this year, but is holding off on expanding amid doubts over the health law’s future. (Tracer, 7/12)

This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.

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