UnitedHealth announced the payer is exiting most of the Affordable Care Act marketplaces, according to The Hill.
Here are six insights:
1. UnitedHealth's latest move raises questions about the ACA' sustainability.
2. The Obama administration claimed UnitedHealth is a relatively minor player in the marketplaces as it only accounts for 6 percent of all enrollees. Officials also argue the payer did not competitively price their coverage.
3. Blue Cross Blue Shield has indicated it may pull back on some of its ACA plans.
4. A Kaiser Family Foundation study found if UnitedHealth exited all 34 states participating in ACA exchanges, consumers would have fewer choices.
5. The study found the percentage of U.S. counties with merely one payer or two payers to choose from would increase from 36 percent to 53 percent due to UnitedHealth's exit.
6. However, the study found UnitedHealth's exit would not significantly impact premiums as the payer does not offer one of the cheaper plans.
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