I had the opportunity to listen to Dr. David McLennan and Wendell Potter from the North Carolina Center for Health & Democracy recently during a panel discussion “How Do We Fix Healthcare in North Carolina” they hosted last week.
Both presenters shared a less-than-rosy picture about health insurance companies like Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, UnitedHealth Group and others. Frankly, based on data and research presented during the panel, they’re contributing to millions of denied in-network claims each year and pocketing hundreds of millions in profits – all while patients struggle to access the care they need.
I was especially surprised to learn about the low marks North Carolinians gave health insurers after having increased communications about prior authorizations, denied care and unnecessary paperwork. Dr. McLennan’s main findings from a November 2022 Meredith Poll were that only 8 percent of our state’s residents think health insurers have their best interests in mind.
Wendell Potter, who himself is a former health insurance executive turned whistleblower, pointed out that insurers like Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina denied more than 2.9 million in-network claims last year while reporting hundreds of millions in revenue.
Something doesn’t seem right about that. I agree with Potter and Dr. McLennan that we need more competition in the health insurance marketplace.
Lee Currie