Health Premiums and Insurance Stocks: UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH) and More

A new study released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services indicates that the rise of health insurance premiums year-to-year is slowing significantly. In the report, the number of health insurers raising rates by more than 10% dropped from 74% in 2009 to a preliminary 14% in 2013. Whatever the reason, no one can argue that’s not a huge drop in the rate of increase.

And the reasons could be many. It could be that the rate of health care costs have been slowing, or it could be that new, healthy people are swelling the ranks of the insured. The administration seems to be arguing that it’s the effect of the Affordable Care Act on the market. In the act, any rate hike above 10% has to go under increased regulatory review and scrutiny. I don’t find this an unlikely explanation as I’ve rarely known any company that wants to go through the hassle of regulation and inspection of its books.

Whatever the explanation, if the trend continues it will have diverse impacts. Companies that buy health insurance will find costs not growing as much. Individuals who buy health insurance will have more money in their pockets than otherwise. And insurers will face slightly tighter times in the coming years. They’ll be working to absorb new clients brought in by the Affordable Care Act while not being able to raise rates at an arbitrary rate.

UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:UNH)

UnitedHealth is the biggest provider of health insurance in the U.S., at least by market share. That makes it the most vulnerable to spikes in health costs. On the other hand, it’s also the most likely to have the muscle to get past any issues. With a market cap of $55 billion and an operating margin of 8.37% it will weather the storm well.

The company’s stock price has been on a wild ride for the last year. By my count it has seen six peaks and valleys over that time without any appreciable growth. I think that in the long run UNH will do fine, but in the short run it’ll feel the pinch of the new controls.

Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM)

Humana, even if it isn’t one of the very biggest health insurers, is still very big. Really, these guys are all pretty large. The firm recently had very good Q4 numbers, beating estimates by more than ten cents. Combine that with the fact that it has acquired several firms in the last year and there’s some sign of a plan. A firm that was worried about the impact of the Affordable Care Act wouldn’t be making such aggressive moves…it would be paralyzed.

Over the last 12 months the stock has lost about $20 from it’s high but that trend has reversed in the last three months where it’s climbed from a low of $64.39 in November to a high of $81.52 a few weeks ago. That should tell you what an adventure it’s been. Overall, Humana is positioning itself well to deal with the Affordable Care Act and will likely deal with the new regulations well.