The hottest Insurance Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Finance Topics

Bonds bail us out

Known Unknowns • 235 implied HN points • 26 Jun 23
💰 Finance Investing Economy Insurance Work Risk management
  1. Bonds can be a good financial tool for managing risk and long-term investment.
  2. Questioning traditional financial theories, like investing in long-term bonds, can lead to insights on managing pension funds.
  3. Work-from-home trends may not be sustainable in the long term due to the importance of workplace relationships and culture.

An assassin for our time (PART ONE)

Unreported Truths • 66 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Crime Healthcare Violence Insurance Political Commentary
  1. Luigi Mangione, a young and seemingly privileged guy, has a dark side after allegedly killing a healthcare CEO. It shows that even those who seem to have it all can snap under pressure.
  2. The attack raises questions about the reasons behind such violence, making it clear that Mangione didn't seem to be part of a larger movement. His motives were likely personal rather than ideological.
  3. This incident highlights a troubling trend as Mangione could mark the rise of a new kind of domestic terrorism that's not tied to a specific group, but rather individual grievances that can lead to drastic actions.

The choice between traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage? It’s easier than you think.

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 499 implied HN points • 16 Feb 23
🏥 Health Politics Medicare Healthcare Insurance Costs Policy
  1. Traditional Medicare lets you see almost any doctor or hospital in the U.S., while Medicare Advantage usually limits you to a specific network of providers.
  2. Medicare Advantage plans sometimes deny necessary care, while traditional Medicare generally ensures full coverage for services recommended by your doctor.
  3. You might save money with Medicare Advantage in the short term, but if you need expensive care later, it could cost you much more than traditional Medicare.

The Big Seven health insurers spent $26.2 billion buying back their own stocks in 2022 to enrich CEOs, shareholders

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 419 implied HN points • 06 Mar 23
🏥 Health Politics Insurance Medical Debt Policy Corporate ethics Healthcare access
  1. The Big Seven health insurers spent $26.2 billion on buying back their stocks in just one year, which mostly benefited wealthy shareholders and CEOs.
  2. Despite making over $69 billion in profits in 2022, many Americans are struggling with high medical debt due to high-deductible insurance plans.
  3. Instead of helping patients, the focus remains on increasing share prices, leading to calls for legislation that could tax stock buybacks and support patients with their medical expenses.

Recession Tug-of-War: Downside versus Bright Side

Risk Musings • 401 implied HN points • 29 Jul 23
💰 Finance Economy Real Estate Inflation Insurance Climate change
  1. The US economy faces challenges like high interest rates, commercial real estate vacancies, inflation, and climate change.
  2. Despite challenges, positive factors like AI, consumer demand, residential real estate, and labor strength are helping the economy remain resilient.
  3. The tug-of-war between downside risks and bright side factors will determine the economic outcome in the short, medium, and long terms.
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Is the Fed Financing the FDIC?

Without Warning • 176 implied HN points • 04 Sep 23
💰 Finance Federal Reserve Insurance Banking Liquidity
  1. The FDIC is primarily funded by banking industry fees, not congressional appropriation.
  2. During the Global Financial Crisis, the FDIC did not borrow money from the Fed but instead used clever financial maneuvers like prepayments to maintain liquidity.
  3. The FDIC may be utilizing the Fed's loans as a form of financing, with evidence suggesting that FDIC guarantees are used to back these loans, allowing for liquidity creation.

“Pay Every Claim” Is Not a Viable Model for Any Health Insurance Company

I Might Be Wrong • 12 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Insurance Healthcare Policy Ethics Society
  1. Health insurance companies can't pay every claim because it would be financially impossible for them. They need to manage costs to stay in business.
  2. Public anger towards insurance executives can stem from personal experiences with denied claims, but wishing harm on them is not a justified response.
  3. Understanding how insurance works is important; the system is complex, and blaming individuals doesn't address the underlying issues.

Underwriter Certification of Nuclear Power, 2.0:

Gordian Knot News • 124 implied HN points • 16 Mar 24
💼 Business Regulation Insurance Certification Market Energy
  1. Regulation of hazardous activities requires finding a balance between safety and economy to prevent both excessive harm and economic burden.
  2. Certification Societies, like those for ocean transportation and high-pressure steam, play a crucial role in setting industry standards, inspecting compliance, and ensuring safety.
  3. Underwriter Certification for nuclear power leverages market competition, government oversight, and insurance to provide a feasible and safe regulatory system for nuclear energy.

Doctors and patients raise alarm about prior authorization

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 319 implied HN points • 01 Feb 23
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare Insurance Patient Care Policy Medical Ethics
  1. Prior authorization can cause major problems for patients, leading to delays or denials of necessary treatments. This can sometimes result in serious health issues or even death.
  2. A lot of doctors believe that the prior authorization process actually worsens care for patients. Most doctors say these requirements can make patients abandon their treatment plans.
  3. Insurance companies aren't really cooperating with doctors to fix these issues. This makes it hard for patients to access the care they really need.

The American Health Care System is on the Brink of Collapse: How the Center for Health & Democracy Will Help Us Fix It

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 319 implied HN points • 31 Jan 23
🏥 Health Politics Health care Insurance Health Reform Medical Debt Legislation
  1. The American healthcare system is failing, with many people struggling to get the care they need while insurance companies make huge profits.
  2. The Center for Health & Democracy aims to expose issues in the insurance industry and work for meaningful reforms to help improve healthcare access and affordability.
  3. Many Americans are dealing with high medical costs and debt, and there is a growing need for significant changes to ensure everyone gets proper healthcare without financial burden.

Big Insurance in-fighting: why it's so important that Cigna is suing CVS

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 319 implied HN points • 30 Jan 23
🏥 Health Politics Insurance Healthcare Lawsuit Regulation
  1. Cigna is suing CVS to stop them from hiring a former executive, citing a non-compete agreement. This shows how competitive the big insurance companies are over valuable staff.
  2. Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are key players in health insurance, making more money than some health plans. They act as middlemen between patients and drug companies, but their operations are often unclear.
  3. Both political parties are focusing on reforming PBMs because they're seen as raising drug costs. There's growing legal pressure and proposed bills aimed at improving transparency and fairness in their practices.

Welcome to HEALTH CARE un-covered (formerly Wendell Potter NOW)

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 319 implied HN points • 27 Jan 23
🏥 Health Politics Health care Insurance Policy Reform Medical Debt Patient Advocacy
  1. Many patients are struggling with high medical costs and debt, making it hard for them to get the care they need. Even those with insurance often end up underinsured and facing high out-of-pocket expenses.
  2. Big insurance companies are reporting record profits while many people still lack proper coverage or are pushed into bankruptcy due to healthcare costs. This shows a big gap in the current healthcare system.
  3. There's a push for more transparency in healthcare costs and a call for reforms to create a fairer system. The aim is to educate both the public and lawmakers about the issues and to find better solutions together.

State Farm & Jake From State Farm on TikTok

Good TikTok Creative • 58 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
💼 Business Marketing Advertising Insurance TikTok
  1. State Farm has been successful in leveraging TikTok for marketing their brand and Jake from State Farm as a character.
  2. State Farm created a campaign around a fake film called "Agent State Farm" for the Super Bowl, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jake from State Farm.
  3. By utilizing TikTok, State Farm has managed to create engaging content and build brand consideration among consumers in a competitive insurance market.

Open Letter to Insurance Companies re: BMI-Based Incentives/Penalties

Weight and Healthcare • 339 implied HN points • 27 Jul 22
🏥 Health Politics Insurance Healthcare Incentives Discrimination
  1. Charging more for health insurance based on metrics like BMI can create financial inequalities and harm marginalized groups.
  2. BMI is not an accurate measure of health as people with the same BMI can have different health statuses.
  3. BMI-based incentives/penalties can potentially decrease health, disproportionately affecting People of Color and those with lower socioeconomic status.

UnitedHealth, CVS/Aetna, Cigna pulled in close to a trillion dollars last year, mostly as drug middlemen

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 279 implied HN points • 09 Feb 23
🏥 Health Politics Pharmaceuticals Insurance Healthcare Costs Market Dynamics Public Policy
  1. Three major companies, UnitedHealth, CVS/Aetna, and Cigna, are now making most of their money from being middlemen in the prescription drug market rather than from selling health insurance. This means they control a big part of how much patients pay for their medications.
  2. In 2022, these companies earned over $492 billion from their pharmacy benefit management (PBM) services, showing that this part of their business is growing much faster than their health insurance offerings.
  3. These companies are expanding into primary care services, like buying healthcare centers, as they face slower growth in their health insurance segments. This shift suggests they are looking for new ways to make profits amid tougher competition.

Decentralizing the Insurance Industry

DeFi Education • 739 implied HN points • 23 Sep 21
🔮 Crypto DeFi Insurance Smart Contracts Finance Technology
  1. Smart contracts can make insurance claims faster and cheaper by cutting out unnecessary overhead costs.
  2. The insurance industry has huge operational costs estimated around $900 billion, and smart contracts could reduce these significantly.
  3. Decentralizing insurance through technology is still new, which means there's a big opportunity for growth and change in the market.

Nexus Mutual the Crypto Insurance Project (Part 1)

DeFi Education • 719 implied HN points • 26 Sep 21
🔮 Crypto Blockchain DeFi Insurance Investing Technology
  1. Nexus Mutual is a project focused on providing insurance in the cryptocurrency space. It aims to lower the high costs typically associated with traditional insurance agencies.
  2. As more big investors get involved in cryptocurrencies, insurance could become very important for scaling those investments.
  3. The article promises to explore how Nexus Mutual works and its impact on the insurance industry, especially in the context of decentralized finance (DeFi).

The Price Anderson Suicide Pact

Gordian Knot News • 161 implied HN points • 08 Nov 23
💰 Finance Insurance Nuclear power Compensation
  1. In the US, the response to nuclear accidents is governed by the Price Anderson Act and American tort system
  2. The Secondary Financial Protection under Price Anderson can lead to mandatory post-casualty assessments on nuclear plants
  3. INPO, a self-regulation inspection service, influences the safety culture of nuclear plants by focusing on preventing costly accidents

The price of health insurance has increased 24% over the last year

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 299 implied HN points • 04 Oct 22
🏥 Health Politics Insurance Costs Policy Healthcare Inflation
  1. Health insurance prices went up by 24% over the last year, which is a much bigger increase than most other expenses like food or gas.
  2. While the cost of medical services only rose by around 5.6%, health insurance continues to climb, indicating issues with insurers' pricing.
  3. Deductibles and out-of-pocket costs have also significantly increased, and future premium hikes are expected, putting more financial pressure on families.

What I'm Reading: Cigna's 2022 earnings; ProPublica's prior authorization series

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 199 implied HN points • 03 Feb 23
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare Insurance Policy Profits Investigations
  1. Insurance companies like Cigna are making a lot of money by acting as middlemen in the drug supply chain, especially after acquiring pharmacy benefit managers.
  2. Cigna's profits increased significantly in 2022, partly because they paid out less for medical claims compared to previous years.
  3. Instead of lowering costs for customers, Cigna is using its profits to buy back its own stock, which primarily benefits shareholders.

Investing in Insurance Today

Equal Ventures • 79 implied HN points • 05 Jun 23
💰 Finance Insurance Investing Digital Transformation
  1. Insurtech investments experienced a hype cycle: Surge in investments followed by multiples collapsing causing pain and caution among investors
  2. Disruption of legacy insurers by new entrants is challenging: Product innovation made purchase easier, but companies need to be profitable, not just innovative
  3. Digital transformation in insurance sector is valuable: Tech-enabled ecosystem enablers creating value, while legacy insurers are seeking digital capabilities

A decade-long look at how Big Insurance profiteers American taxpayers and the sick.

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 399 implied HN points • 04 Apr 22
🏥 Health Politics Insurance Healthcare Policy Profit Regulation
  1. Big insurance companies have grown a lot in size and profit over the last decade, primarily through mergers and getting more government contracts. They now make a lot of money, with profits reaching over $60 billion last year.
  2. Most of the increase in people under these insurance companies comes from government programs like Medicare and Medicaid, not from private insurance. Taxpayers are indirectly supporting these companies even if they don't use their plans.
  3. Insurance companies are shifting more costs onto patients, leading to higher out-of-pocket expenses and making it hard for many to afford care. This is resulting in more people being underinsured and potentially struggling with medical debt.

NYC's call to move retirees to a Medicare Advantage plan is being opposed by a 9/11 hero. She's backed by hundreds of retirees.

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 199 implied HN points • 17 Jan 23
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare Medicare Policy Retirement Insurance
  1. A retired EMT, Marianne Pizzitola, is fighting against NYC's plan to move retirees to a Medicare Advantage plan. This change could hurt many retirees and reduce their healthcare coverage.
  2. Retirees are concerned that Medicare Advantage plans may limit the care they receive. These plans can require approvals for necessary treatments, which can delay or deny important medical care.
  3. The fight against the Medicare Advantage plan is uniting many retirees from different backgrounds and political views. They all agree that retirees deserve better healthcare options and shouldn't be forced into a plan that may not serve their needs.

The majority of big insurers' health plan revenues are subsidized by American taxpayers

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 279 implied HN points • 07 Sep 22
🏥 Health Politics Insurance Medicare Subsidies Policy Government
  1. Most big health insurers, like UnitedHealth, get a large part of their money from taxpayer funds, not from private customers. This shows how our tax dollars support these companies.
  2. Many insurers focus on getting more Medicare Advantage enrollments because the government pays them good money for it. This has become a major source of profit for them.
  3. Despite receiving big subsidies, many people using ACA marketplace plans still face high out-of-pocket costs, making them effectively under-insured. This means they might struggle to afford healthcare even with insurance.

As health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket obligations increase, so does the number of Americans who are “functionally uninsured”

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 239 implied HN points • 03 Nov 22
🏥 Health Politics Insurance Costs Policies Coverage
  1. Health insurance costs are rising quickly, with family premiums increasing by 43% over the last decade. This makes healthcare harder to afford for many families.
  2. More people have to pay larger out-of-pocket expenses before their insurance starts helping. On average, these costs have gone up by 61% in the past 10 years.
  3. Small businesses struggle the most with these high costs and many are no longer offering health insurance benefits to their employees, leaving more people without proper coverage.

The Equal Ventures Insurance Index - Q4 2023

Equal Ventures • 39 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
💰 Finance Insurance Investing Mergers & Acquisitions Stock Market Industry Analysis
  1. Insurtech indices outperformed legacy peers in Q4 2023, showing strong recovery throughout 2023 but still below 2021 highs.
  2. Legacy brokers faced challenges in Q4 with tougher revenue growth comps, while insurtech companies in distribution & marketing excelled.
  3. P&C carriers had a positive Q4, demonstrating improved profitability expectations with lower combined ratios, notable improvements in personal lines carriers.

Nexus Mutual (Part 2) - Valuation

DeFi Education • 459 implied HN points • 01 Oct 21
🔮 Crypto DeFi Valuation Investment Insurance
  1. Nexus Mutual is getting attention as more big investors start to enter the market. They might want insurance, which could help Nexus grow.
  2. Many regular investors might not see the need for insurance, but larger funds handling over $200 million will likely feel it's essential.
  3. The demand for insurance in the DeFi space is expected to rise, especially with institutional money looking for security in their investments.

A CLOSER LOOK: The Mid Year Earnings of 7 Big For-Profit Insurance Companies

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 219 implied HN points • 16 Aug 22
🏥 Health Politics Insurance Medicare Medicaid Profitability Government funding
  1. The largest for-profit insurance companies made $43.8 billion in profits and had $620.6 billion in revenue, mostly from taxpayer money. This shows how much they benefit financially from government programs.
  2. Three major insurers control 80% of the pharmacy benefit market. This means they have a huge influence over how prescription medications are managed and priced.
  3. A large number of Americans are underinsured, with 43.4% lacking sufficient coverage. This highlights a growing issue in healthcare, where many people struggle to afford medical care despite having insurance.

Interested in the U.S. health care system? Here's what you need to know going into 2023.

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 139 implied HN points • 12 Jan 23
🏥 Health Politics Health care Insurance Policy Advocacy Medicare
  1. Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) are under scrutiny in Congress, with both political parties examining their roles in rising healthcare costs. It's important for patient advocates to educate lawmakers on the real impacts of PBMs.
  2. Health insurance benefits have been decreasing over the years, making care less affordable for many Americans, especially women. People are paying higher premiums but getting less coverage now than in the past.
  3. Rural areas face significant challenges in accessing healthcare, especially with transportation. Lack of options for medical transport can make it hard for patients in these regions to attend necessary appointments.

NEW: Rep. Khanna, Rep. Pocan and I go after Medicare Advantage in The Nation

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 139 implied HN points • 28 Dec 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Healthcare Legislation Fraud Insurance Advocacy
  1. Medicare Advantage plans are designed to benefit insurance company shareholders rather than patients. This means they may prioritize profit over providing quality care.
  2. Patients on Medicare Advantage often need prior approval from insurers before getting treatment. This can delay care and make it harder to get necessary services.
  3. Real Medicare allows patients to see almost any doctor or hospital without needing referrals. In contrast, Medicare Advantage plans have stricter networks that can limit choices.

Dr. Oz wants to force Pennsylvania seniors into Wall Street-run health insurance plans

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 179 implied HN points • 18 Aug 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Health Policy Insurance Government Elections Corporate Influence
  1. Dr. Oz wants to push seniors in Pennsylvania into private health insurance plans that may cost them more than traditional Medicare. These private plans can limit their choices for doctors and hospitals.
  2. If this change happens, Dr. Oz could benefit financially because he owns a lot of stock in a big company that runs these plans. It would make him richer while seniors may end up with less coverage.
  3. Many seniors prefer sticking with original Medicare and avoid these private plans, but changes could force them to switch. This could lead to a lot of taxpayer money being spent without good coverage.

What I’m reading in health care this week.

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 119 implied HN points • 19 Jan 23
🏥 Health Politics Health care Medicare Insurance Legislation Public Policy
  1. Restaurant workers' money is being used for lobbying instead of improving their wages and healthcare. This is hurting low-wage workers who really need better support.
  2. More seniors are signing up for Medicare Advantage plans, which may not be as beneficial as they seem. It's important for legislators and the public to be cautious about these private plans.
  3. The process for getting medical approvals is becoming a huge hassle for doctors and patients. There are calls for reforms to make it easier and less burdensome to access necessary healthcare services.

Issue #133: Stripe To Buy Bridge For $1.1B, Apple Pay Adds Klarna, And Brex Partners With Navan

Fintech Radar • 6 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
💰 Finance Fintech Investing Banking Cryptocurrency Insurance
  1. Stripe is buying Bridge for $1.1 billion to enhance its stablecoin services. This shows Stripe's big plans to grow its role in international payments.
  2. Apple Pay is teaming up with Klarna to allow users to split payments into four interest-free installments. This move signals Apple’s shift back to focusing on partnerships for better payment options.
  3. Brex is partnering with Navan to make travel payments easier for businesses. This collaboration aims to simplify expense management by integrating payment solutions directly into travel bookings.

While UnitedHealth reports $24 Billion in profits, Americans faced 200% increases in out-of-pockets over last decade

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 259 implied HN points • 21 Jan 22
🏥 Health Politics Insurance Costs Profits Policy
  1. UnitedHealth made a record profit of $24 billion, which is the highest ever for any U.S. insurer. This raises concerns about how the company is managing its resources while also charging customers more.
  2. Americans have seen their healthcare costs skyrocket, with out-of-pocket expenses increasing by 200% over the last decade. This means people are paying much more for healthcare, even when they have insurance.
  3. Health insurance premiums and deductibles now take a larger share of people's incomes, affecting families in many states. Many insured people are still struggling to afford care due to higher costs.

Life with Crohn’s Disease is a Never-Ending Fight with Insurance Companies

JoeWrote • 44 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Healthcare Insurance Chronic Illness
  1. Living with Crohn's Disease involves a continuous battle with insurance companies, making access to necessary healthcare challenging.
  2. The American healthcare system's bureaucracy and profit-driven approach create unnecessary burdens for individuals with chronic illnesses.
  3. Personal experiences highlight the flaws in the American healthcare system, emphasizing the need for reform towards universal healthcare coverage.

DON'T MISS: Rep. Schakowsky (D-IL) and I exposed Medicare Advantage in Newsweek

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 119 implied HN points • 16 Nov 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Healthcare Legislation Politics Insurance Reform
  1. Medicare Advantage is designed to benefit insurance companies and their shareholders, often at the expense of actual patient care. It's important for seniors to understand how this program works and what alternatives are available.
  2. Many Americans are struggling with high out-of-pocket costs for healthcare, and there's a need for reform to reduce these financial burdens. Changes are necessary to ensure health insurance is more affordable.
  3. Engaging with policymakers from both political parties is crucial to make progress in healthcare reform. Discussions are ongoing about the need to improve Medicare and tackle issues caused by big insurance companies.

IT'S JUST SPIN: UnitedHealth Group touts out-of-pocket savings that patients will never see.

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 159 implied HN points • 19 Jul 22
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare policy Insurance Public Health Pharmaceuticals Healthcare Costs
  1. Only a small percentage of UnitedHealth policyholders will actually benefit from announced out-of-pocket savings, making the impact very limited.
  2. The company's marketing creates a misleading impression that many will save money, but most won't qualify for these benefits.
  3. UnitedHealth seems more focused on boosting profits and shareholder returns than on genuinely helping patients with affordable medications.