Health Plan Weekly

After a tumultuous several months that culminated in the ouster of former CEO Karen Lynch, CVS Health Corp.’s fourth-quarter 2024 results beat Wall Street consensus estimates. And while the company reported lower year-over-year operating income, executives said the struggling Aetna business is finally stabilizing. 

The company’s adjusted earnings per share (EPS) for the fourth quarter came to $1.91, well above the consensus of 91 cents. Medical loss ratio (MLR) was 94.8%, which was lower (better) than the 95.5% guidance. And CVS posted revenue of $97.7 billion, beating the $97.1 billion consensus. 

While Humana Inc. posted a net loss in the fourth quarter of 2024 as it continued to adapt to a changing Medicare Advantage landscape, the company’s earnings released on Feb. 11 slightly exceeded analysts' expectations. The insurer stopped offering MA plans in some unprofitable markets this year, leading to a decline in membership but also contributing to Humana’s confidence it will reach its guidance for 2025.  

Humana had an adjusted earnings per share (EPS) loss of $2.16 for the fourth quarter, better than the consensus estimate of a $2.23 loss, while the company’s $29.2 billion in quarterly revenue was above the $28.8 billion consensus. The company’s consolidated medical loss ratio (MLR) was 91.3%, slightly above (worse than) the 91% consensus. 

The Senate confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as HHS secretary on Feb. 13. The longtime vaccine critic was elevated to the high-profile health care office after assuaging the concerns of key Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee member Sen. Bill Cassidy, M.D., (R-La.). Health care trade association reactions have been optimistic, with most indicating they are eager to work with Kennedy on various issues, such as PBM reform and population health. “Small business-owned pharmacies are disappearing, and pharmacy deserts are forming, because of the business practices of Big Insurance and their PBM subsidiaries, and we very much hope Kennedy and the Trump administration will support our effort to rein in these bad actors,” said National Community Pharmacists Association CEO Douglas Hoey. Said Association for Community Affiliated Plans CEO Margaret Murray: “Opportunities abound to bring improvements to our nation’s system for health coverage and care — many of which will require outside-the-box thinking. We look forward to working with Secretary Kennedy and his team to tackle the pressing issues of access to coverage and care, disease prevention, and public health improvement.” And Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America CEO Stephen J. Ubl said, “During his confirmation hearings, Secretary Kennedy discussed the need to reduce the burden of chronic disease, improve health outcomes and make health care more affordable for the American people. Our industry is eager to work with the Trump administration to help address these urgent priorities.” 

Molina Healthcare, Inc.’s fourth-quarter results came in below the company’s and analysts’ expectations, driven by higher-than-anticipated care utilization among its members. The insurer also disclosed that it anticipates the trend to continue this year, a surprise to investors.   

For the fourth quarter, Molina reported adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $5.05, well below the $5.87 Wall Street consensus estimate. The insurer also had a 90.2% medical loss ratio (MLR), higher (or worse than) the 88.7% consensus. 

Despite reporting fourth-quarter earnings on Feb. 4 that exceeded Wall Street’s projections, Centene Corp. saw its stock price decline by nearly 6%, which analysts attributed to potential concerns about the insurer’s Medicaid and Affordable Care Act exchange segments.  

Centene in the fourth quarter had adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of 80 cents, significantly above the Wall Street consensus estimate of 49 cents, and $40.8 billion of revenue, higher than the $39.1 billion consensus. And its 89.6% medical loss ratio (MLR) was slightly below (better than) the 90% consensus.