Dave Parshall: Aetna and a breach of ethics

Dave Parshall to Sandy Knoesel, January 26, 2010
Subject: RE: AETNA phone polls.

Sandy what they are doing is unlawful. I just got off the phone with CMS [Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services]. They stated to me that there are no such requirements for Medicare Advantage Plans, and that they are forbidden from asking such questions. Healthful outcomes are the responsibility of healthcare professionals and patients not insurance companies. CMS wanted to file a complaint because they want to go after Aetna. Did the letter that went out come from STRS or Aetna? Sandy you are supposed to be representing retirees and not insurance companies. I talked to a supervisor at CMS and he stated that there clearly is no such requirement than only Medicare Gap policy issuers can ask a limit number of questions. You can’t take ETNA at their word. I suppose they can ask these questions, but it is a lie to tell retirees that it is a requirement for them to ask these questions. Please send me a copy of the letter that was sent out to retirees and a copy of the complete list of questions that the survey asked. This is a serious issue because it is a serious breach of ethics.

Thanks,
Dave Parshall

From Sandy Knoesel, January 26, 2010
Subject: RE: ETNA phone polls.

In the future, it would be helpful if you would give me all the information you have when asking a question. Medicare doesn’t have any underwriting; so I don’t understand your point. Health information helps the Medicare Advantage plans improve the health outcomes of enrollees. This is a fully insured product.

From: David Parshall, January 26, 2010
Subject: RE: ETNA phone polls.

Thanks Sandy. We called Medicare and three different people said that this was not required my Medicare for Advantage Services. The calls are reported to be coming from New Delhi. There is no underwriting and with the new HEPA laws this is confusing. Thanks for the quick response.

Dave