WASHINGTON, D.C.—Humana CEO Bruce Broussard doubled down on his support for Medicare Advantage (MA) when asked to discuss "Medicare-for-All" proposals Monday.
The leader of the Louisville, Kentucky-based insurance giant was addressing the Better Medicare Alliance Medicare Advantage Summit in D.C. when he was asked about his thoughts on the national conversation around Medicare for All and other public option proposals. He remained coy about outright discussion of any proposals but has previously avoided disavowing public option proposals like many of his counterparts at other insurers. He has said he opposes any move that would make MA or other private insurance plans illegal.
"When I think about where Medicare Advantage is, if we do our work the right way, I can see Medicare Advantage being the payment model that is being used where we want to fill that need where people don't have an employer plan and they're not being covered by Medicaid," Broussard said. "I'm biased as hell. But I just think Medicare Advantage has all the elements, and how can we take that and bring that in line with other coverage, cost and quality."
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In May, Humana announced a strong start in the first quarter of 2019 driven by better-than-expected growth in MA plans. The company raised its full-year expected individual growth for MA to between 415,000 to 440,000 members, representing 14% growth in 2019. Humana initially projected an increase of between 375,000 and 400,000 MA members for 2019.
Through MA, Humana members have reported 7% less emergency department visits and 5% fewer hospital stays. In addition, there has been an 11% lift in colorectal screenings and 10% more breast cancer screenings.