Three of Five Largest U.S. Health Insurers Receive Low Approval Ratings in Survey of Hospital Executives
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).
