Here are four things to know.
1. Goldman Sachs cut Anthem’s earnings estimates by $.50 in 2017 after the insurer announced plans to remain in the exchanges.
Mr. Borsch believes that after taking a loss this year “Anthem tells investors … that they will be getting out of the exchanges entirely for 2018.”
2. After incurring larger than expected losses, UnitedHealth Group, Aetna, Humana and Blue Cross Blue Shield plans scaled back involvement in the exchanges this year.
3. Anthem declined to comment on the matter.
4. Health care policy advisor at Avalere Health Caroline Pearson said Anthem hasn’t publicly mentioned leaving the exchanges in 2018, and that the insurer is a dominant player in the individual market.
Anthem currently holds 9 percent of the market share of exchange cases. It’s expected that number will grow because of decreased insurer presences. Ms. Pearson believes if Anthem withdraws it “would be a major blow to competition and beneficiary choice.”
5. Enrollment into the exchanges is expected to drop in 2017.
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