Three Of Five Largest U.S. Health Insurers Receive Low Approval Ratings In Survey Of Hospital Executives

Main Category: Health Insurance / Medical Insurance
Also Included In: Public Health
Article Date: 10 Mar 2008 - 5:00 PDT

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Three of the five largest U.S. health insurers have higher unfavorable ratings than favorable ratings, according to a survey of hospital executives released on Thursday, the Los Angeles Times reports. The survey -- commissioned by Davies Public Affairs, a California company that represents some hospitals -- includes responses from 113 executives at more than 500 hospitals nationwide.

According to the survey, UnitedHealth Group received the lowest approval ratings, with unfavorable ratings from 91% of respondents and favorable ratings from only 8% of respondents. WellPoint received unfavorable ratings from 48% of respondents and favorable ratings from 20% of respondents, the survey found. In addition, the survey found that Cigna received unfavorable ratings from 47% of respondents and favorable ratings from 44% of respondents. Aetna received the highest approval ratings, with favorable ratings from 57% of respondents and unfavorable ratings from 37% of respondents, the survey found.

UnitedHealth questioned the results and methodology of the survey. UnitedHealth spokesperson Tyler Mason said, "UnitedHealthcare ranks above the industry regarding claims payments." A WellPoint spokesperson said that the company has begun to review the survey and that it conducts similar surveys of hospital executives.

Jan Emerson, a spokesperson for the California Hospital Association, said the survey confirmed "what we are hearing from a lot of our member hospitals about health plans that operate in California, particularly the two largest ones, United and WellPoint" (Girion, Los Angeles Times, 3/6).

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