Dive Brief:
- Centene filed with the Arizona Department of Insurance and CMS to continue participation in the state’s health insurance exchange in 2017.
- Centene intends to offer Ambetter, a health maintenance organization (HMO) plan, in Maricopa and Pima Counties.
- Centene may be the sole payer on the ACA exchange in Maricopa County, azcentral.com reports.
Dive Insight:
The situation in Maricopa County highlights a problem with lack of competition on insurance exchanges in some regions as several health insurance companies have bailed due to financial losses. This year, Maricopa County residents could choose from plans offered by eight payers off the market. Consumers wanting to purchase insurance on the ACA exchange will only have the Centene plan available to them in 2017 if it receives approval from the Arizona Department of Insurance and CMS.
While many private payers have had difficulty making a profit off of plans offered on the exchanges, Centene has been one of a few exceptions. The payer estimates its offerings in Arizona will provide incremental revenue of more than $500 million. Insurers who have prior experience serving Medicaid patients have generally had more success on the exchanges than larger payers.