After Mr. Bertolini’s comment, HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell called him to discuss the exchanges.
“The Secretary called me that evening at home to say, ‘What happened?'” Mr. Bertolini said in a Kaiser Health News interview, according to the report. “Well, I told her you need to read the whole [earnings transcript], which she did and she calmed down. We like the program and we think it’s an appropriate effort. But we do need to make changes.”
A spokesman from HHS declined to comment.
Mr. Bertolini’s proposed changes include alterations regarding low-deductible plans for young Americans.
“Young people pay some amount of premium, pick a number and have a $5,000 deductible and go to the doctor once a year and pay all in cash,” he said. “For people under 35, their definition of health is looking good in their underwear. How does [the Affordable Care Act] support their view of what’s good health?”
More articles on payer issues:
CMS finalizes changes to ACA marketplace: 6 things to know
Fitch: Blue Cross hit hard by ACA losses
California lawmakers consider insurance tax package
At the Becker's 5th Annual Fall Payer Issues Roundtable, taking place November 2–3 in Chicago, payer executives and healthcare leaders will come together to discuss value-based care, regulatory changes, cost management strategies and innovations shaping the future of payer-provider collaboration. Apply for complimentary registration now.
