Sunday, March 18, 2012

Carrier Logic: Utilization Up So Increase Premiums; Utilization Down So Increase Premiums

This classic carrier-spin points to a lose-lose for policy holders.  You have to love they way they operate.  

The New York Times and California Healthline report:

[E]ven as profits increase, insurers continue to push for higher premiums, citing the higher costs of care and the belief that demand for care will increase later this year as the economy improves.

Lonny Reisman, chief medical officer of Aetna, said, "I think there's a real concern about a bounce-back, a rebound, in utilization."

Heads means carriers win and tails mean you lose.