The MLR regulations under Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act are misguided, according to AHIP attendees. An engaged crowd at Wednesday’s America’s Health Insurance Plans conference in Washington listened to a panel dissect this issue from what the speakers said were unfounded claims of carrier profitability by the government, to the restrictions placed on innovation as a result of high ratio requirements. However, none of the three speakers discussed pending legislation or regulatory action to change the current MLR rules.
Tom Wildsmith, senior manager of public policy at Aetna Inc. and the second speaker on the matter, said after the discussion that he isn’t willing to comment on any political action or inaction. In February EBA reported from the National Association of Health Underwriters conference that Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) said she’ll back any MLR bills that go through Congress. NAHU is reportedly working with lawmakers on an updated bill to change the MLR status as it relates to broker compensation.
