Maine health insurance co-op emerges from $90 million deficit
Source: Bangor Daily News
Maine’s insurance co-op, Community Health Options, is back in the black after sustaining operating losses of nearly $90 million in the past two years.
A report from Maine’s Bureau of Insurance says in the first quarter of 2017, Community Health Options had a surplus of $3.7 million. The co-op’s Mike Gendreau says the company was able to pull itself out of a deficit by reducing administrative costs, increasing rates and educating members on when to go a doctor’s office or clinic instead of the emergency room.
“In certain cases, a sore throat for example, would be, call your provider. Talk with your provider. And they may be able to help you over the phone, or go into the office to see them, rather than access the most expensive care available,” he says. “It’s also having an impact to their own bottom line so as they access appropriate care in the appropriate setting, they may save money in the process, and it also reduces our own costs.”
Gendreau says Community Health Options is projected to remain profitable for the rest of 2017.
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Read more: http://bangordailynews.com/2017/05/23/news/state/maine-health-insurance-co-op-emerges-from-90-million-deficit/
But...but...but...DEATH SPIRAL!!!1111
never mind...
= new reply since forum marked as read
Since Republican politicans and average Trumper idiots have been promoting the dangerous myth that the ER is free socialist healthcare. ERs have been getting more crowded (on purpose) as a way for RW politicians to say see socialism is bad because of long waits. 
The ER should be reserved for life threatening emergencies only and a last resort. And it is the most expensive type of care. So it is good that insurance co-ops are educating their members on when to call their provider or go to a walk in urgent care clinic or at least call them first to see where to go.
(Yay, way to go Maine !!)
