They Knew it Was Illegal. They Did it Anyway.

These quotes are pulled directly from the federal complaint filed in United States v. eHealth, et al., exposing some of the most damning communications between brokers and major insurers—Humana, Aetna, and Anthem. The statements reflect blatant kickbacks, patient steering, discrimination against disabled individuals, and open disdain for government oversight.

More money will help drive more sales [be]cause your product is dog sh[*]t.”

(eHealth executive referring to an Aetna plan, p. 1)

“$15M/year for a [web]site that drives 15 enrollments per year. CMS will surely never figure that one out. . . . Luckily the govt are generally morons.”

 (eHealth exec mocking CMS while discussing sham Humana "marketing" deal, p. 1)

 “Not even a little compliant. . . . I’m pretty sure if Aetna got audited by cms, they’d be fu[**]ed.”

(eHealth exec assessing Aetna sham marketing deal, p. 1)

“Help with Aetna U65 issue. Drive away from <65.”

(eHealth VP instructing to steer disabled beneficiaries away from Aetna plans, p. 122)

“We should have calls with these partners, not send anything in email about this since it is against CMS regulations…” 

(Alisha Mecier, eHealth VP, acknowledging illegality of discriminatory behavior, p. 123)

 “We are making a substantial investment by increasing our Anthem production to the exclusion of other carriers.” 

(GoHealth email to Anthem, p. 145)

“You should be targeting at least 70% [Anthem]. You are leaving money on the table if you aren’t selling Anthem…”

 (GoHealth sales leader to agents, p. 145)

“Anthem’s [Marketing Development Funds] MDF commitment is the largest of any carrier and it is critical that we achieve all targets.” 

(GoHealth Product Dir. prioritizing Anthem in agent interface due to increased MDF kickback, p. 161)

“[T]he invoices will be for calls delivered, but our underlying business agreement is still for sales.”

(Anthem admitting marketing contracts are a cover for pay-for-enrollment deals, p. 143)

“Absolutely nothing in writing or in verbal conversations… can refer to this as a bonus, incentive or anything other than marketing reimbursement.” 

(Anthem executive instructing staff to hide true purpose of payments, p. 135)

 “[B]ottom line is that these are for selling MA plans and if we miss their targets…the funds will not flow next year.” 

(eHealth exec stating true purpose of Anthem payments, p. 168)