Aetna CEO: Why insurance will be costing more

[FarCenter]

The fact that many current health-care plans do not offer all the benefits required under Obamacare means that many premiums are likely to jump dramatically, Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini told CNBC.

Bertolini, appearing on Tuesday's "Closing Bell," said that most Americans with current plans are below the 60 percent essential Affordable Care Act benefit requirement, and individual plan participants will have to pay a minimum of a 20 percent increase to upgrade, he said.

Citing the current economy and reduced Medicare rates, Bertolini said the health-care company must find a way to bridge the gap between what it will cost seniors to pay out of pocket and what Aetna will be able to cover.

"Aetna alone will pass through to its customers over $1 billion in taxes and fees associated with the Affordable Care Act that need to go into the pricing," Bertolini said

http://www.cnbc.com/id/101153188

[Skittles]

1. so they are admitting that many plans are substandard shit

they're actually making the case for single payer

[juajen]

2. I was not aware that Aetna insured seniors on medicare.

Are they on a par with Humana and United, and in what states are one of your choices Aetna?

[vanlassie]

6. Yep. "Golden Medicare"

[juajen]

12. Thanks for that information. Live and learn.

[FarCenter]

7. They offer Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans

What is offered varies by county. They offer Medigap (Medicare supplement) plans in at least parts of 30 states.

[Barack_America]

3. The only people "happy" with such plans are those who have never had to use them. Nt

[Journeyman]

4. I'm going to get slightly better benefits than my previous policy at less than half the cost . . .

so I'm quite pleased, thank you very much.

If anything, my case shows more an apples to apples (tongue depressor to tongue depressor?) comparison: A good policy replaced by another good policy, but at 40% the cost.

Worse things have happened in my life, I can assure you.

[WilliamPitt]

5. Johnny One-Note

Ever out of tune.

[cynatnite]

8. Mr. Bertolini, let's talk about the $47 million dollar payday you got last year...

Bertolini was compensated a total of $36.36 million last year, not including $11.1 million in stock awards which vest later and are based on the company’s performance.

http://courantblogs.com/ct-insurance/aetna-ceo-mark-bertolinis-pay-more-than-tripled-last-year/

[FourScore]

9. We are with Aetna and our family plan deductible went up from $2000 to $3000.

They sent out explanations blaming it on the ACA. It's despicable.

[FarCenter]

10. It seems that all insurers are pushing up deductibles to cover some of the cost of new coverages

It's one way they have of keeping the monthly cost increases more modest. They will push them up to whatever ACA allows.

[longship]

11. Because the Aetna CEO needs a new yacht?

Or a new mansion in the south of France?

Whatta ya think?