Firms rate their health insurers for quality, value: How did yours fare?

Are most employers satisfied with their health plans? The short answer: not so much. When employers were asked to grade their health plan overall – from A to F – most gave their plans a C, according to a recent healthcare watchdog Leapfrog survey.

“The survey should serve as a wake-up call … Health plans need to be more responsive to employer demands for improvements in health care,” says Leapfrog President Leah Binder.

Leapfrog asked small and large employers to rate their experiences with Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthCare (UHC) and Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) plans (including Anthem), in four critical areas:

• responsiveness to employer and employee concerns
• transparency in choosing best providers
• payment reform initiatives, and
• willingness to prioritize value.

Overall, Cigna got the highest marks on value. Aetna had the highest scores for quality of care. UHC had the lowest rating overall.

Key findings

Some key findings from employers:

• Responsiveness: Nearly six out of 10 (58%) said their insurer puts their needs first, with Cigna getting the highest rating (71%).
• Unnecessary costs: About half (52%) feel their plan helps them reduce costs (Cigna rated highest at 58%, UHC lowest at 43%).
• Improving health: Cigna rated highest (73%) for prioritizing employee health, while UHC and BCBS both rated lowest at 52%.

As firms demand results for their investments and stand for quality of care in the health of their employees, they expect their health plan to stand with them, said the survey.

This is the second recent survey to reveal employer dissatisfaction with insurers. A JD Power survey showed low employer satisfaction, even during the pandemic.