Health Care

Anthem reviewing whether it will participate in ObamaCare next year

by Jessie Hellmann 05/24/17 03:23 PM ET

One of the top insurers in ObamaCare’s exchanges says it’s still reviewing in what capacity it will participate next year.

Anthem CEO Joseph Swedish, speaking at a healthcare conference Wednesday, said uncertainty surrounding the GOP’s repeal effort has the company evaluating its footprint on the exchanges for 2018.

Anthem, which currently operates in 14 states, may need to pull back in some markets, Swedish said.

“We would prefer not to extract ourselves if we can get the math to work,” he said.

{mosads}At question is whether the Trump administration will continue ObamaCare’s payments to insurers, known as cost-sharing reduction subsidies.

Insurers have threatened to raise premiums or pull out of markets if they don’t receive the payments, which reimburse them for offering discounted deductibles to low-income customers.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) declined to say whether the June payment would be made.

“The May payment has been made. Going forward, we are weighing our options and still evaluating the issues,” said spokesperson Alleigh Marré.

“Congress could resolve any uncertainty about the payments by passing the [American Health Care Act] and reforming ObamaCare’s failed funding structure.”

Humana announced earlier this year it wouldn’t participate next year. Aetna announced this month it would pull of its last ObamaCare markets, after downsizing the last few years.