Minnesota health insurers reported $687 million in operating losses for 2016, according to information released today by the Minnesota Council of Health Plans. Medical reserves were tapped to pay for doctor visits, nursing, hospital stays, medications and other care.
Overall, revenue from premiums increased 4 percent over the prior year to nearly $25.9 billion, while expenses increased 6 percent to $26.6 billion. State public programs accounted for more than half of the overall red ink, followed by continued losses in the individual market. Insurance employers provide remained steady. On average, health insurers paid $763 per second for care. To pay those bills, insurers withdrew nearly $560 million from state-mandated medical reserves.
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