News Briefs: Few Firms Changed Abortion Coverage Since ‘Roe’ Reversal

Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year, 8% of large firms offering health insurance to their employees reduced or expanded their coverage for abortion. That’s according to an analysis of KFF’s Employer Health Benefits Survey, which found that 3% of firms whose largest plan does not cover abortion or covers it under limited circumstances reduced or eliminated coverage for abortion. Meanwhile, 12% of firms whose largest plan covers abortion in most or all circumstances added or expanded abortion coverage. KFF defined large employers as those with at least 200 workers.  

U.S. health insurance companies’ capitalization levels are expected to increase this year but at a lower rate than last year, according to an AM Best report released on Feb. 29. The credit rating firm noted that the growth should slow because many insurers are seeing less profitability in their Medicare Advantage and managed Medicaid books of businesses. The report found the growth in net premiums written by health insurers increased 10% in 2022 and 7.6% through the first three quarters of last year.