Humana Reverses Course - Decides to Keep Issuing Child-only Plans

[jbage007]

In a surprising (?) move, Humana today announced that it will continue to issue child-only coverage.

This is up to and including Sep. 23, and later.

Or until they change their minds again.



I'm starting to get really confused.

 

[dgoldenz]

Re: Humana Reverses Course - Decides to Keep Issuing Child-only P

No word of how they will rate kids after 9/23 though...

 

[IndividualHealthGuy]

Re: Humana Reverses Course - Decides to Keep Issuing Child-only P

They did this because HHS said they can issue GI child only plans during an open enrollment period, so they may not be subject to as much adverse selection. Rates will still go up 10/1 (we are actually quoting 10/1 Humana right now) but it may not be as drastic as once thought.

 

[Post Quartermaster]

Re: Humana Reverses Course - Decides to Keep Issuing Child-only P

So Humana decided not to pull out of the child only market?




I'll keep the Michael Jackson jokes to myself......

 

[jbage007]

Re: Humana Reverses Course - Decides to Keep Issuing Child-only P

But how are they going to account for the HUGE additional risk of carrying high risk kids as dependents on mom or dad's policy?

Or - is that why carriers are going to start issuing INDIVIDUAL ONLY plans (no more family plans)??

How are normal (healthy) kids going to be covered with companies that are opting to write individual only plans, and not insure kids until a limited open enrollment period?

 

[IndividualHealthGuy]

Re: Humana Reverses Course - Decides to Keep Issuing Child-only P

The open enrollment period will have life event opportunities as well, just as group does now. The thought is that if you restrict when they can buy child coverage, they will purchase it when the kid is still healthy. You are right, though, as the main risk is carriers refusing to cover children altogether. My problem with that is, what will they do come 2014? They have to figure out a strategy that works while still offering coverage. It's either that, or become group-only.

 

[TXINSURANCE]

Re: Humana Reverses Course - Decides to Keep Issuing Child-only P

Don't confuse open enrollment with the ability to underwrite, waiver, or decline kids. You can't do it.

You are still looking at GI in kids, limited enrollment. And the commission is.......????

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

Re: Humana Reverses Course - Decides to Keep Issuing Child-only P

If there's open enrollment for kids the commission will be zero across the board. You think any carrier wants to give agents an incentive to drive the sickest kids to their plans?

 

[somarco]

Re: Humana Reverses Course - Decides to Keep Issuing Child-only P

In some cases they can also get on PCIP as an option.