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2009 U.S. Health Care Outlook: A Less Healthy Health Insurance Sector Dec 08
Standard & Poors, Dec 2008
Abstract
The U.S. economy is in a recession, and the health insurance industry has not proven immune to what ails the nation. With joblessness on the rise, volatile financial markets, and consumer income, by most measures either flat or falling, Standard & Poor's Ratings Services on Nov. 3 revised the outlook on the managed care industry to negative from stable. The impact of the deteriorating economy, slowing top-line growth, aggressive pricing strategies, and negative medical trend development were the key factors in our decision. As a result, over the next six to 12 months, we anticipate that there will be more downgrades than upgrades in this sector. Health insurers will likely face added pressure from a private sector that is stagnant-or...
Companies mentioned in this report are: Health Care Service Corp. (d/b/a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas),UnitedHealth Group Inc.,Highmark Inc. (d/b/a Highmark BCBS & Highmark Blue Shield),Health Net Inc.,HealthPartners Inc.,Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Inc.,HealthMarkets Inc,Coventry Health Care Inc.,WellPoint Inc.,MultiPlan Inc.,HealthCare Partners, LLC,Healthways Inc.
Standard and Poors RatingsXpress Credit Research provides in-depth coverage of international corporates, financial institutions, insurance companies, utilities, sovereigns and structured finance programs. RatingsXpress Credit Research lets users determine the credit rating of holdings and identify key factors underlying an issuer's creditworthiness, distinguishes the different risk exposures for new and existing deals, and provides an understanding of how their analysts interpret key regulatory, political and environmental events and their economic impact.
Research Type: Commentary
Criteria articles describe the thought process and methodology Standard & Poor's analysts use in determining ratings. These commentary pieces discuss both the quantitative (economic and financial) and qualitative (business analysis and caliber of management) aspects of the analysis, as well as legal issues.
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