Academy of Actuaries Report Sizes Up Federal Options to Deflect Insurer Risk
Though COVID-19 has put significant pressure on the health care system at large, payers have not yet felt the financial pain confronting hospitals, since utilization for chronic and elective care is at unprecedented lows. But an anticipated spike in utilization (HPW 5/11/20, p. 4) as stay-at-home restrictions relax has led some in the health policy community to examine how the federal government might help mitigate that risk.
According to a May poll conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation, 48% of Americans have skipped or postponed medical care due to the pandemic, and 32% of that group say they will seek to resume their care in the next three months. Among the people who delayed care, 11% reported their condition worsened because of the delay. That pent-up demand could combine with some level of ongoing need for care to drive claims above anticipated 2020 amounts.
Related Posts
Meet Our Reporters
-
Lauren Flynn Kelly Executive Editor, AIS Health, and Managing Editor, Radar on Medicare Advantage
View Lauren Flynn Kelly's Profile -
Angela Maas Managing Editor, Radar on Specialty Pharmacy and Spotlight on Market Access
View Angela Maas's Profile -
Leslie Small Managing Editor, Health Plan Weekly and Radar on Drug Benefits
View Leslie Small's Profile -
Peter Johnson Reporter, Health Plan Weekly and Radar on Drug Benefits
View Peter Johnson's Profile -
Tim Casey Reporter, Health Plan Weekly and Radar on Drug Benefits
View Tim Casey's Profile -
Carina Belles Reporter, Radar on Medicare Advantage and Spotlight on Market Access
View Carina Belles's Profile -
Jinghong Chen Reporter, Health Plan Weekly and Radar on Drug Benefits
View Jinghong Chen's Profile
