- Centene will increase the number of counties it will offer individual coverage under the Affordable Care Act next year to nearly 4oo additional counties across 13 states next year.
- Already the biggest player in Obamacare with more than 2 million health plan subscribers, Centene said it will expand its Ambetter health insurance product sold on the ACA’s exchanges to “nearly 400 new counties across 13 existing states” for 2021, the company announced Friday.
- “In addition, Ambetter-branded Marketplace products will be offered in two new states, New Mexico and Michigan,” Centene said in a statement. “With this expansion, we will be in more than 1,200 counties across 22 states. We are pleased to expand our geographic footprint by over 50%, bringing high-quality, affordable healthcare options to rural America during these difficult times.”
- The expansion by Centene to sell more coverage to individuals is the latest by health insurance companies that included an announcement by Cigna earlier this week to enter new Obamacare markets. Oscar Health, Bright Health and UnitedHealth Group also have plans to grow their Obamacare businesses.
- These health insurers see an opportunity to provide health benefits to Americans who have lost their employer coverage amid the pandemic and spread of the Coronavirus strain Covid-19 that has contributed to shuttered businesses and millions of Americans losing their jobs and employer-based health insurance.
- "At a time when many Americans are grappling with the health and economic effects of COVID-19, it is critical that we leverage our scale, capabilities and expertise to provide accessible, high-quality healthcare services to our members," Centene Chairman and CEO Michael Neidorff said Friday. "We know that many Americans are struggling during this crisis, and we are committed to expanding our Ambetter product, offering affordable options for care during this pandemic and beyond."