Old, Sick, and Poor: Health Care’s Most Expensive Patients – UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH), Humana Inc (HUM), WellPoint, Inc. (WLP)

UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:UNH) and WellPoint, Inc. (NYSE:WLP) are better mobilized going toward the ACA-affiliated changes next year. But all three companies will play a role in test programs coming soon.

Coming changes
In 2011, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation awarded million-dollar contracts to 15 states that were tasked with designing a better system for dual-eligible patients. The states had a year to submit design proposals and then narrow them down to four participants that will begin their approved programs next month. Each program will have a three-year initial run.

The plans vary in offered benefits, target population, delivery models, and financing. But the main purpose remains streamlining care to both improve the costs of dual-eligible patients while also improving quality.

A select group of private insurers will serve these programs. UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:UNH) and WellPoint’s CareSource are two of the enrollees in Ohio’s trial program. Humana Inc (NYSE:HUM) joined them for the design of Washington’s program.

We’ll have to wait and see what the involvements mean for company finances in the future. But for now, it’s good to be on the front line of the health care changes.

Foolish final thoughts
Insurers have taken considerable strides to pursue dual-eligible patients. UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:UNH) has had the strongest standing, but WellPoint, Inc. (NYSE:WLP)could start nipping at its heels, thanks to the Amerigroup acquisition.

Ultimately, the ACA has so many changes coming in the next year that it will take some time for the dust to settle. But the companies establishing places at the front now will likely stay there.

The article Old, Sick, and Poor: Health Care’s Most Expensive Patients originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Brandy Betz.

Fool contributor Brandy Betz has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) and WellPoint. The Motley Fool owns shares of WellPoint.

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