Connecticut Steps Into Federal Health Care Debate

Connecticut officials demanded to know Friday if the state's five largest insurance companies have sent policyholders information about a possible impact on Medicare of health care changes debated in Washington.

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and Healthcare Advocate Kevin P. Lembo asked Aetna Inc., ConnectiCare Inc., Anthem Health Plans of Connecticut, HealthNet of Connecticut and UnitedHealth Group for information the companies may have sent regarding the impact of proposed legislation on Medicare Advantage and prescription drug programs.

Blumenthal and Lembo said they are responding to recent mailings by Humana Inc. telling its Medicare customers that proposed federal legislation could slash their benefits. The missive urged seniors to contact lawmakers to ask them to oppose it.

Aetna spokesman Fred Laberge said in an e-mail that the insurer has not sent letters to members or policyholders on the issue, though Aetna officials have been "strong advocates for health care reform."

Stephen Jewett, spokesman for ConnectiCare, said in an e-mail that the insurer did not send materials to Medicare Advantage members about federal health reform and "believes this request is being spurred by health reform politics and is not warranted."

He said Medicare Advantage marketing materials are required by federal law to be approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS. ConnectiCare has complied "in full" with the law, Jewett said.

Terence O'Hara, a spokesman for UnitedHealth Group, said in an e-mail that the insurer "has a strong commitment to communicating clearly and accurately with our members regarding their health plans. We have received the inquiry and will be responding." He was not specific about the insurer's communications with its members.

Alice Ferreira at HealthNet said the insurer did not communicate with its members about health care reform and will respond to the request by Connecticut officials.