Study: Health Insurers Are Near-Monopolies

[spinbaby]

Can't say that I'm surprised:

SAN FRANCISCO - Consolidation among health insurers is creating near-monopolies in virtually all reaches of the United States, according to a study released Monday.

Data from the American Medical Association show that in each of 43 states, a handful of top insurers have gained such a stronghold that their markets are considered "highly concentrated" under U.S. Department of Justice guidelines, often far exceeding the thresholds that trigger antitrust concerns.

The study also shows that in 166 of 294 metropolitan areas, or 56 percent, a single insurer controls more than half the business in health maintenance organization and preferred provider networks underwriting.



http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060417/ap_on_bi_ge/health_insurers_monopolies

[Hekate]

1. No *, Sherlock!

Instead of "stronghold," they really should have called it "stranglehold."

Hekate

[Norrin Radd]

2. Bust 'em up.

[salin]

3. I recall reading, years ago, that the insurance industry had been

exempt from anti-trust laws - going back to the Great Depression. I can't recall the details and don't know that it is still the case - but this news item would suggest that it is.

[depakid]

4. In a way- this is good thing

The Bush administration is NEVER going to enforce anti-trust laws here- and so we may even get further consolidation and collusion- and less so called "competition."

That makes these often abusive entities a much bigger target- and easier to take down when the time comes for responsible single payer legislation.

[Vinca]

5. They're monopolies and they share patient information.

They must. We had to give up insurance after my husband was diagnosed with a chronic condition because they jacked the rates sky high. Mysteriously, all the other companies we contacted quoted a similar price, despite not being allowed to ask health-related questions. The sad part is, my husband is healthy as can be and the only reason the insurance increased in the first place is because the dimwitted office person at the doctor's office ignored his request not to file claims unless he authorized them.

[spinbaby]

6. A related article

On the front of this morning's Wall Street Journal, this headline:

As Patients, Doctors Fee Pinch, Insurer's CEO Makes a Billion

[Trillo]

7. So we already have 'privatized' single-payer?

No wonder there are so many different company names. Gotta keep the con going.

[supernova]

8. A great big D'UH award to yahoo news

:P

[rman]

9. well, monopolies are good for competition.

no?

[cassiepriam]

10. "near" LOL, they have been total monopolies for many years....

usually owned by Repugs.

[cosmicdot]

11. so, my Medicare Rx choices came down to 3 company plans

PacificCare, AARP Medicare Rx, and UnitedHealth Rx

AARP uses UnitedHealth as its plan.
PacifiCare was bought out by and is merging with UnitedHealth.
UnitedHealth, of course, is itself


So, those are my choices :)

The same company.

[SYNERCHOSIS]

12. That really sucks...

... but at least you have one option, most people I know don't have any so in a crazy way you are one of the "lucky ones".

Only in this corporate nightmare could your "choices" be considered good, my god what have we humans become, just "warm bodies that can only make money".

[BrightKnight]

13. The multi payer single plan system. Dr. Frist's Idea?

The multi prayer single plan system. Hold the government oversight and add a little tort reform. Faith based medicine at its best.

This is much better than a stupid single payer system.