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	<title>Stock Blog Hub &#187; Aetna Inc.</title>
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		<title>(UNH) Health Insurance Stock Outlook &#8211; April 2012 &#8211; Industry Outlook</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/04/20/unh-health-insurance-stock-outlook-april-2012-industry-outlook/99299</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/04/20/unh-health-insurance-stock-outlook-april-2012-industry-outlook/99299#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 20 Apr 2012 17:15:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AGP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AMERIGROUP Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Centene Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CIGNA Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CNC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Coventry Health Care Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CVH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gartner Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Genworth Financial Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GNW]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health Net Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HIT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hitachi Limited]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HNT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HUM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Humana Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[IT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mastercard Incorporated]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Miller Industries Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MLR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MOH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Molina Healthcare Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UNH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unitedhealth Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=99299</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Though the U.S. Health insurance industry continues to be relatively immune to economic difficulties, it has been still grappling with fundamental changes and consequent growth pangs. The industry has been facing its share of problems related to a sluggish economic recovery, uncertainty surrounding the health care reform law and increased regulatory control. Despite the odds, the industry remains profitable, with the top six players &#8212; UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH), CIGNA Corp. (CI), WellPoint Inc. (WLP), Aetna Inc. (AET), Humana Inc. (HUM), Coventry Health Care Inc. (CVH) &#8212; reporting year-over-year earnings growth in FY11. About the Industry The U.S. Health and Medical Insurance industry is an integral part of the U.S. economy. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S. health expenditures account for about 18% of the country’s ]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(HS) HealthSpring Shareholders Approve CIGNA Merger</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/01/22/hs-healthspring-shareholders-approve-cigna-merger/90396</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/01/22/hs-healthspring-shareholders-approve-cigna-merger/90396#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:55:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CIGNA Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HealthSpring Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HUM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Humana Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UNH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unitedhealth Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=90396</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The acquisition of HealthSpring Inc. (HS) by CIGNA Corp. (CI) has received the approval of the former company&#8217;s shareholders. The approval came from approximately 83% of the shareholders, at a special meeting held on January 12, 2012. The acquisition was announced by Cigna in October last year. HealthSpring’s vast Medicare business with a trusted brand name made it the best fit for Cigna, which intends to foray into the rapidly growing Medicare Advantage business. With this acquisition, valued at approximately $3.8 billion, Cigna will get access to 800,000 Medicare prescription customers and 340,000 Medicare advantage customers. Cigna, the fourth largest health insurer in U.S., had been historically biased towards commercial business (primarily self funded) and averse to government businesses (Medicare and Medicaid). But it is now targeting the government businesses. This shift ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/01/22/hs-healthspring-shareholders-approve-cigna-merger/90396/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(CVS) CVS Caremark Corporation to Attend Healthcare Conference</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/12/30/cvs-cvs-caremark-corporation-to-attend-healthcare-conference/89481</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/12/30/cvs-cvs-caremark-corporation-to-attend-healthcare-conference/89481#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 30 Dec 2011 18:17:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Drug Stores]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CVS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CVS Caremark Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ESRX]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Express Scripts Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MedcoHealth Solutions Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MHS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pacific Booker Minerals Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PBM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UAM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Universal American Corp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WAG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Walgreen Company]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=89481</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The leading provider of prescriptions and related health care services in the US, CVS Caremark Corporation (CVS) has decided to participate in the annual JP Morgan Healthcare Conference scheduled on January 10, 2012. The company will be represented by its president and CEO, Mr. Larry Merlo, at the conference. Currently, CVS Caremark is ranked among the top three pharmacy benefit managers (PBM) in the US. The other big players in this chart are Express Scripts (ESRX) and Medco Health Solutions (MHS). Together these three companies control roughly 50% of the market by covering approximately 240 million prescription drug consumers annually. Rhode Island-based CVS Caremark is a combination of a PBM as well as retail drug chain. In terms of contractual arrangements with large plan sponsors, CVS Caremark holds a leading ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/12/30/cvs-cvs-caremark-corporation-to-attend-healthcare-conference/89481/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(AET) Health Insurance Stock Review &#8211; December 2011 &#8211; Industry Outlook</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/12/15/aet-health-insurance-stock-review-dec-2011-industry-outlook/88751</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/12/15/aet-health-insurance-stock-review-dec-2011-industry-outlook/88751#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:01:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AGP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AMERIGROUP Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Centene Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CIGNA Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CNC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Coventry Health Care Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CVH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Genworth Financial Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GNW]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health Net Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HNT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HUM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Humana Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Miller Industries Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MLR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MOH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Molina Healthcare Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UNH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unitedhealth Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=88751</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Health and Medical Insurance industry is an integral part of the U.S. economy. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S. health expenditures account for about 18% of U.S. GDP. Money spent per person on healthcare in the United States is more than in any other nation in the world, according to the World Health Organization. Despite rapidly growing spending on healthcare over the past few decades, health insurance industry has been characterized by growing premium, limited policy choice and lack of transparency. Over the past 10 years, health insurance premiums have persistently increased, outpacing the growth of wages and cost of living. The surge in premiums &#8212; due mostly to complex connections among health insurance companies, health care providers, pharmaceutical manufacturers and the medical technology industry ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/12/15/aet-health-insurance-stock-review-dec-2011-industry-outlook/88751/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(HUM) Humana to Buy SeniorBridge</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/12/01/hum-humana-to-buy-seniorbridge/87805</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/12/01/hum-humana-to-buy-seniorbridge/87805#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:15:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[American Shared Hospital Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AMS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HUM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Humana Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=87805</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Yesterday, Humana Inc. (HUM) announced an agreement to acquire chronic-care provider SeniorBridge for an undisclosed amount. However, the purchase is subject to state and federal regulatory approvals. SeniorBridge is an 11-year old New York-based healthcare provider, which offers in-home care to seniors with chronic diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and congestive heart failure. It has a network of 1,500 care managers in the U.S. SeniorBridge’s projected revenue for 2011 is $72 million. However, the deal is not likely to have any material impact on the 2011 earnings of Humana as it is expected to culminate in the first half of 2012. Further, the acquisition will expand Humana’s Health and Well Being segment, which provides primary care, pharmacy, integrated wellness, and home care services. While SeniorBridge currently concentrates on ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/12/01/hum-humana-to-buy-seniorbridge/87805/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(UNH) UnitedHealth Group Provides 2012 Guidance</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/11/30/unh-unitedhealth-group-provides-2012-guidance/87734</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/11/30/unh-unitedhealth-group-provides-2012-guidance/87734#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 30 Nov 2011 19:28:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HUM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Humana Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UNH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unitedhealth Group Inc.]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=87734</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[On Monday, through a brief press release, health insurer UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH) announced its earnings outlook for the full year 2012. The company expects the earnings to be in the range of $4.55 to $4.75. It also affirmed its 2011 full year guidance of $4.52 to $4.57. While the upper range of UnitedHealth’s 2012 earnings guidance is in tune with the Zacks Consensus Estimate, its 2011 guidance is meeting the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.55, at the midpoint range. UnitedHealth, the largest insurer on the basis of revenue, also expects its 2012 revenues in the range of $107.0 billion to $108.0 billion, up approximately 6.5% from the 2011 revenue guidance of more than $101 billion. The 2012 EPS guidance reflects a 2.2% of year-over-year increase (calculated at the mid-point ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/11/30/unh-unitedhealth-group-provides-2012-guidance/87734/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(UNH) UnitedHealth Group Acquires Medicare Advantage Business</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/11/28/unh-unitedhealth-group-acquires-medicare-advantage-business/87571</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/11/28/unh-unitedhealth-group-acquires-medicare-advantage-business/87571#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:12:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CIGNA Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HealthSpring Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HUM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Humana Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mastercard Incorporated]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UNH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unitedhealth Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=87571</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[On Tuesday, UnitedHealthcare, a division of UnitedHealth Group (UNH), announced its plan to acquire XLHealth Corp, a sponsor of Medicare Advantage health plans. With this acquisition, the company is expected to remain a step ahead of its competitors including WellPoint Inc. (WLP)and Aetna Inc. (AET) in acquiring Medicare Advantage (MA) business. Also, as the MA business is expected to grow considerably over the next five years, the latest acquisition will be a big advantage for the company to strengthen its financials. The all-cash deal, which is valued at approximately $2 billion, is expected to close in the first half of 2012. Immediately after the closure, the deal will be accretive to UnitedHealth Group’s earnings. UnitedHealth currently enjoys the leading position in the MA market with 18.4% market share, followed by ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/11/28/unh-unitedhealth-group-acquires-medicare-advantage-business/87571/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(CVS) CVS Caremark  Launches New Pharmacy Advisor Program</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/11/14/cvs-cvs-caremark-launches-new-pharmacy-advisor-program/86901</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/11/14/cvs-cvs-caremark-launches-new-pharmacy-advisor-program/86901#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 14 Nov 2011 18:00:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Drug Stores]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CVS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CVS Caremark Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ESRX]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Express Scripts Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FEP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Franklin Electronic Publishers Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MedcoHealth Solutions Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MHS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UAM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Universal American Corp]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=86901</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[CVS Caremark (CVS) recently launched a new Pharmacy Advisor program to help treat chronic cardiovascular illness. The Pharmacy Advisor for chronic cardiovascular care will primarily focus on medication adherence for persistent illnesses such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, coronary artery disease (CAD) and congestive heart failure (CHF). It has been noted that high blood pressure single-handedly affects one out of three adults, with the health care system costing roughly $76 billion annually. This program is based on the research done by the company along with Harvard University, Brigham and Women&#8217;s Hospital. The research, published in a healthcare journal in January, found that proper medication adherence can save nearly $4,000 hypertension patients, $1,200 high cholesterol patients and $8,000 CHF patients annually. We are encouraged by the improved performance of CVS ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/11/14/cvs-cvs-caremark-launches-new-pharmacy-advisor-program/86901/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(CVS) CVS Caremark Posts a Strong Quarter</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/11/06/cvs-cvs-caremark-posts-a-strong-quarter/86465</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/11/06/cvs-cvs-caremark-posts-a-strong-quarter/86465#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 06 Nov 2011 20:15:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Drug Stores]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CVS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CVS Caremark Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ESRX]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Express Scripts Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FEP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Franklin Electronic Publishers Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MedcoHealth Solutions Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MHS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UAM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Universal American Corp]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=86465</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[CVS Caremark (CVS) reported third quarter 2011 EPS of 65 cents, 8.3% up year over year. However, after excluding the impact of certain one-time items, adjusted EPS came in at 70 cents, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 67 cents and 9.3% higher than the year-ago quarter adjusted EPS. Net revenue increased 12.5% year over year to $26.7 billion, almost in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The Pharmacy Services segment posted a robust 25.8% increase in revenues to $14.8 billion during the reported quarter. The significant growth was primarily on the back of the long-term contract with Aetna (AET) as well as the acquisition of the Medicare Part D business of Universal American Corp. (UAM). These contracts, combined with an increase in covered lives in the company’s existing Medicare ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/11/06/cvs-cvs-caremark-posts-a-strong-quarter/86465/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(FSR) Humana Rating Affirmed By A.M. Best</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/09/22/fsr-humana-rating-affirmed-by-a-m-best/83879</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/09/22/fsr-humana-rating-affirmed-by-a-m-best/83879#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 22 Sep 2011 19:06:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Property & Casualty Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CIGNA Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Flagstone Reinsurance Holdings Limited]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FSR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HUM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Humana Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UNH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unitedhealth Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=83879</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The rating agency A.M.Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength ratings (FSR) and the issuer credit ratings (ICR) of the health insurer Humana Inc. (HUM) and conferred a debt rating of “bbb” to the company. All the ratings carry a stable outlook, indicating the company’s stable financial and market trends, and a likelihood that the company&#8217;s rating would change over an intermediate period. However, A.M. Best’s rating action reflects a combination of positive and negative factors. The agency views positively Humana’s efforts of maintaining its revenue growth and developing its Medicare Advantage membership base. A modest leverage (18.0% at the end of June 30, 2011) relative to its other peers  such as UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH), CIGNA Inc. (CI), Aetna Inc. (AET), WellPoint Inc. (WLP), along with sufficient capital flexibility, ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/09/22/fsr-humana-rating-affirmed-by-a-m-best/83879/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(CI) CIGNA Gets Customer-centric</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/09/21/ci-cigna-gets-customer-centric/83707</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/09/21/ci-cigna-gets-customer-centric/83707#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 21 Sep 2011 18:07:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CIGNA Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HUM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Humana Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UNH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unitedhealth Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=83707</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In a bid to provide specialized customer service, health insurer CIGNA Corp. (CI) has announced a national brand campaign, with the theme “GO YOU”.  The campaign chiefly focuses on providing user-friendly programs along with delivering unique customer service. The advertisement kicked off yesterday on print, television and the web and is expected to grab instant attention. Though the company has not yet disclosed the cost of the campaign, we expect it to be one of the most significant in the company’s history. For customer convenience, Cigna has put up a worldwide customers service arrangement which will be available 24/7 throughout the year. Customers will also be able to use their mobile phones with the application “Cigna Mobile” that will help them to locate physicians, hospitals, urgent care facilities, dentists, and ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/09/21/ci-cigna-gets-customer-centric/83707/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>(CVS) CVS Caremark Analyst Maintains Shares at Neutral</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/09/11/cvs-cvs-caremark-analyst-maintains-shares-at-neutral/82891</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/09/11/cvs-cvs-caremark-analyst-maintains-shares-at-neutral/82891#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 11 Sep 2011 16:43:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Drug Stores]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CVS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CVS Caremark Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ESRX]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Express Scripts Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FEP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Franklin Electronic Publishers Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MedcoHealth Solutions Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MHS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pacific Booker Minerals Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PBM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UAM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Universal American Corp]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=82891</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Recently, we reiterated our Neutral recommendation on CVS Caremark Corporation (CVS) with a target price of $38.00. CVS reported an adjusted EPS of 65 cents in the second quarter of 2011, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny but meeting the year-ago quarter’s adjusted EPS. After a period of sluggish performance, CVS’ Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) segment grew for the second consecutive quarter. During the quarter, this segment recorded a robust 23.2% year-over-year increase in revenues to reach $14.6 billion. The year-over upside was primarily driven by a 12-year contract with Aetna (AET), under which CVS provides PBM services to Aetna customers as well as the new acquisition of the Medicare Part D business of Universal American Corp (UAM). The company is also confident of achieving further growth in ]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>(CI) CIGNA Analyst Reiterates Shares at Outperform</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/08/15/ci-cigna-analyst-reiterates-shares-at-outperform/81319</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/08/15/ci-cigna-analyst-reiterates-shares-at-outperform/81319#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 15 Aug 2011 16:16:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CIGNA Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HUM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Humana Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UNH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unitedhealth Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=81319</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We are reiterating our Outperform recommendation on the shares of CIGNA Corp. (CI) following the company&#8217;s second quarter results. Earnings of $1.53 per share outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.29 as well as earnings of $1.38 per share reported in the comparable period last year. Better-than-expected results were aided by strong earnings from across the board, along with lower share count compared with the year-ago quarter. CIGNA has witnessed year-to-date membership growth of 1.3%, adjusting for the planned non-strategic exits. For the past one and a half years, CIGNA has been recording a continued uptick in demand for ASO products as well as incentive and engagement-based programs, and it expects the trend to continue growing in 2012. Management anticipates the medical membership growth for full-year 2011 to be approximately ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/08/15/ci-cigna-analyst-reiterates-shares-at-outperform/81319/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>(CFS) Aetna Announces Acquisition of PayFlex</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/08/07/cfs-aetna-announces-acquisition-of-payflex/79484</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/08/07/cfs-aetna-announces-acquisition-of-payflex/79484#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 07 Aug 2011 15:19:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Management Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AirShares EU Carbon Allowances]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ASO]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CFS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CIGNA Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Comforce Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PHG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UNH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unitedhealth Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=79484</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In an attempt to solidify its Consumer Fund Services (CFS) business, Aetna Inc. (AET) has entered into an agreement to acquire Omaha, NE-based Payflex Holdings Inc. in a $202 million deal. The acquisition, which will see light in the second half of the year, will not be accretive to Aetna’s 2011 and 2012 earnings. However, it is likely to offer attractive returns over the longer term. Founded in 1987, Payflex has around 423 employees presently. PayFlex perfectly suits Aetna’s existing consumer-oriented product business, with the former’s business model focusing on web-based benefit administration for healthcare plan sponsors that offer consumer-based products like Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), and COBRA direct-billing services. Aetna is attracted towards PayFlex’s unique technology program called HealthHub, an ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/08/07/cfs-aetna-announces-acquisition-of-payflex/79484/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(CVS) CVS Caremark Beats Earnings by a Penny &#8211; Guidance Narrowed</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/08/05/cvs-cvs-caremark-beats-earnings-by-a-penny-guidance-narrowed/80662</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/08/05/cvs-cvs-caremark-beats-earnings-by-a-penny-guidance-narrowed/80662#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 05 Aug 2011 17:43:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Drug Stores]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CVS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CVS Caremark Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MedcoHealth Solutions Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MHS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UAM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Universal American Corp]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=80662</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[CVS Caremark (CVS) reported second quarter 2011 EPS of 60 cents, at par with the year-ago quarter earnings. However, after excluding the impact of certain one-time items, adjusted earnings per share came in at 65 cents, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny but meeting the year-ago quarter’s adjusted earnings. Net revenues increased 10.9% year over year to $26.6 billion, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The Pharmacy Services segment recorded a robust 23.2% increase in revenues in the quarter to $14.6 billion. The significant growth was primarily driven by the long-term contract with Aetna (AET) as well as the new acquisition of the Medicare Part D business of Universal American Corp. (UAM). These contracts, combined with an increase in covered lives in the company’s existing Medicare Part ]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(AIZ) Assurant  Suffers High Catastrophe Loss &#8211; Hurts Second Quarter Earnings</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/08/03/aiz-assurant-suffers-high-catastrophe-loss-hurts-second-quarter-earnings/80108</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/08/03/aiz-assurant-suffers-high-catastrophe-loss-hurts-second-quarter-earnings/80108#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Aug 2011 19:53:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Accident & Health Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AIZ]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Assurant Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CAT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Caterpillar Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CIGNA Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CNO]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Conseco Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[L]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Loews Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Principal Financial Group Inc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=80108</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Assurant Inc. (AIZ) has reported second quarter 2011 operating earnings of 76 cents per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 8 cents and significantly lagging the prior-year quarter’s earnings of $1.35 per share. The quarter’s results were hit by high catastrophe loss (cat loss) incidence and a weak performance at the company’s health unit. Total revenue for the reported quarter stood at $2.1 billion, down 3.6% year over year. Lower earned premiums, along with a decrease in net investment income, primarily accounted for the decline. Net earned premiums fell 4.4% year over year to $1.8 billion owing to a decline in premium across all the business segments. Net investment income inched down 0.8% to $173.8 owing to a drop in yields, while the invested assets remained stable. SegmentPerformance Year ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/08/03/aiz-assurant-suffers-high-catastrophe-loss-hurts-second-quarter-earnings/80108/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(ABT) Stock Market News for August 2, 2011 &#8211; Market News</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/08/02/abt-stock-market-news-for-august-2-2011-market-news/80404</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/08/02/abt-stock-market-news-for-august-2-2011-market-news/80404#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 02 Aug 2011 21:22:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Drug Manufacturers - Major]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Abbott Laboratories]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ABT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Boeing Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[KTOS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LMT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lockheed Martin Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NOC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northrop Grumman Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[St. Jude Medical Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[STJ]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UNH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unitedhealth Group Inc.]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=80404</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The benchmarks’ roller-coaster ride finally came to a stop with markets losing modest points, as manufacturing data spoiled the party after Obama and congressional leaders confirmed they had reached an agreement on the debt ceiling. Investor mood swayed from positive to cautious after disappointing ISM data and uncertainty prevailed ahead of the lawmakers vote on the borrowing limit issue. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) lost 10 points, or 0.1% to settle at 12,132.49. Earlier the blue-chip index had soared almost 140 points riding on the announcement by President Obama and the congressional heads. However, these gains were washed out by disappointing manufacturing data. The Standard &#38; Poor 500 (S&#38;P 500) shed 0.4% to close at 1,286.94. The Nasdaq Composite Index also lost 0.4% and finished the day at 2,744.61. ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/08/02/abt-stock-market-news-for-august-2-2011-market-news/80404/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(CI) CIGNA Headquarters Shifted to Connecticut</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/07/15/ci-cigna-headquarters-shifted-to-connecticut/79096</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/07/15/ci-cigna-headquarters-shifted-to-connecticut/79096#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 15 Jul 2011 13:51:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CIGNA Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HUM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Humana Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UNH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unitedhealth Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=79096</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Health insurer CIGNA Corp. (CI) recently revealed plans shift to its headquarters to Bloomfield, Connecticut after it was nominated to receive economic benefits from the state government in exchange for new job creations. The CIGNA base will move from Philadelphia, where it has been stationed since 1982. CIGNA would be the first to receive $50 million of economic benefits from Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy under the “First Five” program, a job creation initiative, passed by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community in June 2011. The salient feature of the “First Five” program is that it would offer a variety of tax credits and other economic incentives to the first five businesses each year that create at least 200 new jobs within two years or invest at least $25 ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/07/15/ci-cigna-headquarters-shifted-to-connecticut/79096/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>(UNH) UnitedHealth Group Spends More on Lobbying</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/07/05/unh-unitedhealth-group-spends-more-on-lobbying/78261</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/07/05/unh-unitedhealth-group-spends-more-on-lobbying/78261#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 05 Jul 2011 14:04:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CIGNA Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UNH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unitedhealth Group Inc.]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=78261</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In a bid to lobby the Federal Government, Minnesota-based health insurer UnitedHealth Group (UNH) spent $660,000 during the first quarter of 2011, which was in line with the comparable period last year but up 14% sequentially. Lobbying is an activity usually paid by an interest group to promote its position to legislatures by influencing opinion leaders, thereby creating a climate for the change they desire. UnitedHealth lobbied on the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the health care overhaul and Medicare issues. Apart from Congress and the White House, UnitedHealth, the largest publicly traded health insurer based on revenue, also lobbied the departments of Health and Human Services and Labor, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and the Federal Reserve System. One of UnitedHealth’s peers, Cigna ]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>(GNW) Genworth Financial Analyst Upgrades Shares</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/07/01/gnw-genworth-financial-analyst-upgrades-shares/78217</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/07/01/gnw-genworth-financial-analyst-upgrades-shares/78217#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 01 Jul 2011 20:37:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Life Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Genworth Financial Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GNW]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=78217</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We are upgrading our recommendation on Genworth Financial Inc (GNW) to Neutral from Underperform to reflect the company’s continued focus on fueling growth and strong rating affirmation from credit rating agencies. To focus more on its Retirement and Protection segment, Genworth has agreed to sell its Medicare supplement business and related blocks of in-force business. The company has agreed to sell the Medicare business to Aetna Inc. (AET). The company also remains focused on fueling growth in its Wealth Management business through acquisitions. Genworth is acquiring Altegris, a specialist in alternative investments, to expand its offerings to financial advisers. Also, it is launching new services to continue to deliver solid growth. It recently launched its Cash Advantage service to provide custody services for the clients of independent financial advisors. Genworth ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/07/01/gnw-genworth-financial-analyst-upgrades-shares/78217/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>(CI) CIGNA Cuts Lobbying Costs</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/30/ci-cigna-cuts-lobbying-costs/78045</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/30/ci-cigna-cuts-lobbying-costs/78045#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 30 Jun 2011 21:08:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CIGNA Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UNH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unitedhealth Group Inc.]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=78045</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Philadelphia-based managed care company CIGNA Corp.(CI) has reportedly spent $280,000 on lobbying the Federal Government during the first quarter of 2011. However, lobbying expenses in the reported quarter marked a decline of 30% from the previous-year quarter and 18% from the previous quarter. Lobbying is an activity usually paid by an interest group to promote its position to legislatures by influencing opinion leaders, thereby creating a climate for the change they desire. CIGNA,  the fourth largest health insurer (on the basis of membership), lobbied during the first quarter for defending the Medicare Advantage, a form of Medicare delivered by private insurance companies that President Barack Obama has reduced reimbursements to. The company also lobbied on Part D prescription drug programs, the Open Access to Courts Act of 2009, and the ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/30/ci-cigna-cuts-lobbying-costs/78045/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>(AET) Aetna Takes Over Prodigy Health Group</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/30/aet-aetna-takes-over-prodigy-health-group/78042</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/30/aet-aetna-takes-over-prodigy-health-group/78042#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 30 Jun 2011 20:37:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CIGNA Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Flagstone Reinsurance Holdings Limited]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FSR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HUM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Humana Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UNH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unitedhealth Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=78042</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Aetna Inc. (AET) has recently revealed that it has completed the acquisition of Prodigy Health Group, which was announced back in April. New York-based Prodigy sells self funded plans to employers that employ about 100-5000 individuals. The acquisition, valued at $600 million, will add Prodigy’s self funded market to Aetna’s domain. Self-funded plans are the ones in which employers assumes the risk and pay the claims, and the job of the insurer is limited to administering the whole process. Prodigy’s market spans across 15 states in the U.S. Through this market, Aetna plans to strengthen its position in the small-to-mid-sized segment by offering Administrative Services Only plans, which have become popular of late with higher premium levels charged by insurance companies. During January, Aetna completed the purchase of Medicity, a ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/30/aet-aetna-takes-over-prodigy-health-group/78042/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>(UNH) UnitedHealth Group Takes Department of Defense to Court</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/29/unh-unitedhealth-group-takes-department-of-defense-to-court/77643</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/29/unh-unitedhealth-group-takes-department-of-defense-to-court/77643#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jun 2011 17:05:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HUM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Humana Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UNH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unitedhealth Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=77643</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[UnitedHealthcare, a division of UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH) sued the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims after it lost the $23.5 billion 5-year Tricare South contract to Humana Inc. (HUM). The Tricare South contract covers 3 million military members and their families in 11 southern states. In July 2009, UnitedHealth won the contract form Humana. But after continuous protests by Humana, DoD reviewed its decision and awarded the $23.5 billion 5-year contract to Humana in February 2011. Updating the TRICARE West Region contract, earlier, in April 2011, DoD invited fresh bids for TRICARE West Region contract after UnitedHealthcare’s Military &#38; Veterans business raised an objection. As such, UnitedHealth will get another chance to win a $17 billion contract to provide health benefits to soldiers ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/29/unh-unitedhealth-group-takes-department-of-defense-to-court/77643/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>(CVS) CVS Caremark to Manage CalPERS PPO</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/22/cvs-cvs-caremark-to-manage-calpers-ppo/77019</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/22/cvs-cvs-caremark-to-manage-calpers-ppo/77019#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Jun 2011 14:58:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Drug Stores]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CVS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CVS Caremark Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FEP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Franklin Electronic Publishers Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MedcoHealth Solutions Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MHS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pacific Booker Minerals Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PBM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Polypore International Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PPO]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=77019</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Recently, the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) selected CVS Caremark (CVS) to manage pharmacy benefits for its preferred provider organization (PPO) health plans, catering to more than 346,000 members. The three-year contract, to be effective from January 1, 2012, represents about $565 million in annual drug spending. The contract also has the option of two one-year extensions. Prior to CVS, Medco Health Solutions (MHS) has been managing the business from July 1, 2006, which is dated to expire on December 31, 2011. CalPERS is presently working with both Medco and CVS to ensure a smooth transition for its members and physicians. This contract is significant for CVS as its pharmacy benefit management (PBM) business has been witnessing several challenges over the past few quarters. CalPERS, which spends approximately $7 ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/22/cvs-cvs-caremark-to-manage-calpers-ppo/77019/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>(AET) Aetna Gets Approval From Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/16/aet-aetna-gets-approval-from-centers-for-medicare-medicaid-services/76576</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/16/aet-aetna-gets-approval-from-centers-for-medicare-medicaid-services/76576#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 16 Jun 2011 21:59:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CIGNA Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CMS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CMS Energy Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Polypore International Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PPO]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UNH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unitedhealth Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=76576</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Aetna Inc. (AET) has recently revealed that it has finally got green signal from the Centers for Medicare &#38; Medicaid Services (CMS), to market its Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plan products. In April 2010, the company was banned from offering these products to new members as some of the Medicare prescription drug plans offered between 2009 and 2010 had failed to comply with the regulatory requirements. Aetna’s Medicare products are regulated by the CMS. In April last year, the CMS had granted the company a limited waiver of these sanctions to allow it to continue enrolling eligible members into existing, contracted group Aetna Medicare Advantage Plans and Standalone PDPs through March 31, 2011. Consequently, the company’s 2011 Medicare membership was adversely affected because it did not participate in the 2010 ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/16/aet-aetna-gets-approval-from-centers-for-medicare-medicaid-services/76576/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>(CVH) Moody&#8217;s Might Raise Coventry Ratings</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/05/cvh-moodys-might-raise-coventry-ratings/74217</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/05/cvh-moodys-might-raise-coventry-ratings/74217#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Jun 2011 04:11:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Coventry Health Care Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CVH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Flagstone Reinsurance Holdings Limited]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FSR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UNH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unitedhealth Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=74217</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Following the impressive first-quarter earnings results and improved 2011 earnings outlook of Coventry Health Care Inc. (CVH), the rating agency Moody&#8217;s Investors Service has kept its debt ratings under review. According to Moody’s, it will seek Coventry&#8217;s ability to sustain and grow its profit margins and membership for an upgradation of its rating. Currently, Coventry&#8217;s senior unsecured debt, senior unsecured credit facility and corporate family debt, which are currently rated &#8220;Ba1,&#8221; including approximately $1.6 billion in debt, are under review. In addition, Moody&#8217;s is reviewing ratings on Coventry health care plans HealthAssurance Pennsylvania Inc., HealthAmerica Pennsylvania Inc. and Group Health Plan Inc., which are currently rated as &#8220;Baa1.&#8221; Coventry posted strong first-quarter adjusted earnings of 66 cents per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 53 cents and excluding the ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/05/cvh-moodys-might-raise-coventry-ratings/74217/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(CVS) CVS Caremark Analyst Maintains Neutral on Shares</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/04/cvs-cvs-caremark-analyst-maintains-neutral-on-shares/75294</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/04/cvs-cvs-caremark-analyst-maintains-neutral-on-shares/75294#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 05 Jun 2011 04:20:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Drug Stores]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CVS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CVS Caremark Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FEP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Franklin Electronic Publishers Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MedcoHealth Solutions Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MHS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pacific Booker Minerals Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PBM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UAM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Universal American Corp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WAG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Walgreen Company]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=75294</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Recently, we reiterated our Neutral recommendation on CVS Caremark Corporation (CVS) with a target price of $41.00. CVS Caremark reported an adjusted EPS of 57 cents in the first quarter of 2011, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 55 cents but trailing the year-ago quarter’s adjusted EPS of 60 cents. After sluggish performance in past several quarters, the Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) business of CVS registered a robust 18.4% year over year increase during the quarter to reach $14 billion. The significant upside in revenue was primarily attributed to the 12-year contract with Aetna (AET), under which CVS provides PBM services to Aetna customers. We are encouraged by the company’s initiative for further focus on its key-growth areas under the PBM segment including the acquisition of Universal American&#8216;s (UAM) Medicare ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/04/cvs-cvs-caremark-analyst-maintains-neutral-on-shares/75294/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(CVH) Coventry Health Care Performance Makes Moody&#8217;s Maintain Ratings</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/05/30/cvh-coventry-health-care-performance-makes-moodys-maintain-ratings/74302</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/05/30/cvh-coventry-health-care-performance-makes-moodys-maintain-ratings/74302#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 30 May 2011 17:43:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Coventry Health Care Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CVH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Flagstone Reinsurance Holdings Limited]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FSR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UNH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unitedhealth Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=74302</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Following the impressive first-quarter earnings results and improved 2011 earnings outlook of Coventry Health Care Inc. (CVH), the rating agency Moody&#8217;s Investors Service has kept its debt ratings under review. According to Moody’s, it will seek Coventry&#8217;s ability to sustain and grow its profit margins and membership for an upgradation of its rating. Currently, Coventry&#8217;s senior unsecured debt, senior unsecured credit facility and corporate family debt, which are currently rated &#8220;Ba1,&#8221; including approximately $1.6 billion in debt, are under review. In addition, Moody&#8217;s is reviewing ratings on Coventry health care plans HealthAssurance Pennsylvania Inc., HealthAmerica Pennsylvania Inc. and Group Health Plan Inc., which are currently rated as &#8220;Baa1.&#8221; Coventry posted strong first-quarter adjusted earnings of 66 cents per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 53 cents and excluding the ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/05/30/cvh-coventry-health-care-performance-makes-moodys-maintain-ratings/74302/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(WLP) WellPoint Quarterly Earnings Outshine &#8211; Company Increases Outlook</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/05/03/wlp-wellpoint-quarterly-earnings-outshine-company-increases-outlook/72615</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/05/03/wlp-wellpoint-quarterly-earnings-outshine-company-increases-outlook/72615#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 03 May 2011 19:07:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CIGNA Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ESRX]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Express Scripts Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HUM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Humana Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UNH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unitedhealth Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=72615</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc. (WLP) reported its first-quarter income from continuing operations of $891.0 million or $2.35 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.87. This also compares favorably with the income of $871.9 million or earnings of $1.95 in the year-ago quarter. The improved showing was attributable to higher operating cash flows and the implementation of organizational changes in health care. Besides, the jump in medical enrollment also contributed to the increase. WellPoint’s income from continuing operations excludes net investment gains of $35.6 million after-tax, or 9 cents per share in the first quarter of 2011; while net operating income in the first quarter of 2010 excludes net investment gains of $18.6 million after-tax or 4 cents per share, which was partially offset by an intangible asset impairment charge of ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/05/03/wlp-wellpoint-quarterly-earnings-outshine-company-increases-outlook/72615/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>(GDP) Stock Market News for April 29, 2011 &#8211; Market News</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/05/01/gdp-stock-market-news-for-april-29-2011-market-news/72799</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/05/01/gdp-stock-market-news-for-april-29-2011-market-news/72799#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 01 May 2011 18:34:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Basic Materials]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Independent Oil & Gas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ALL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Allstate Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chevron Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Citrix Systems Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ConocoPhillips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[COP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CTXS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CVX]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Exxon Mobil Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GDP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Goodrich Petroleum Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[S]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sprint Nextel Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SUN]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sunoco Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Western Refining Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WNR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[XOM]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=72799</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The nations’ economic growth rate slowed larger than estimated and claims for unemployment benefits soared to its highest level since January. Surprisingly, these disappointing reports failed to sting the markets which moved to post more multi-year highs. Markets continued to reap benefits from the positive momentum, gained from the Federal Reserve’s vow to stimulate the economy. Also, positive earnings results chipped in to further strengthen the indices and overshadowed the disappointing data. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) gained 0.6% to settle at 12763.31 and recorded its highest close since May 20, 2008. The Standard &#38; Poor 500 (S&#38;P 500) achieved its highest level since June 9, 2008, at 1360.48, gaining 0.4%. The Nasdaq Composite Index was up 0.1% to finish off at 2872.53, its highest close since Dec. 12, ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/05/01/gdp-stock-market-news-for-april-29-2011-market-news/72799/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(UNH) UnitedHealth Group Plans Acquisition</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/04/13/unh-unitedhealth-group-plans-acquisition/71488</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/04/13/unh-unitedhealth-group-plans-acquisition/71488#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Apr 2011 02:26:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UNH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unitedhealth Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=71488</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[OptumHealth, a part of  UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH) will acquire Logistics Health Inc., a La Crosse-based health care solutions provider, as reported by The Business Journal. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2011, pending antitrust review by the federal government. OptumHealth serves approximately 60 million individuals with its diversified offering of health, financial and ancillary benefit services and products that assist consumers in navigating the health care system and accessing services, support their emotional health, provide ancillary insurance benefits and facilitate the financing of health care services through account-based programs. The segment contributed 6% to the total revenue in 2010. Logistics Health, which provides health care support services such as medical readiness exams, occupational health services and secure data management, compliments services provided by OptumHealth. ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/04/13/unh-unitedhealth-group-plans-acquisition/71488/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>(UNH) UnitedHealth Contests DoD TRICARE West Region Contract</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/04/12/unh-unitedhealth-contests-dod-tricare-west-region-contract/71211</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/04/12/unh-unitedhealth-contests-dod-tricare-west-region-contract/71211#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 12 Apr 2011 21:03:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HUM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Humana Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UNH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unitedhealth Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=71211</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) will invite fresh bids for the TRICARE West Region contract after UnitedHealthcare’s Military &#38; Veterans business raised an objection. UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH) will get another chance to win the  $17 billion contract to provide health benefits to soldiers in 21 western states, including Minnesota. In 2009, UnitedHealth lost the six-year contract to Triwest Alliance. Lately, in March, UnitedHealth raised an objection over the Tricare contract it had initially won but was later awarded to its competitor Humana Inc (HUM). Initially, UnitedHealth won the Tricare contract in July 2009. But after continuous protests by Humana, the DoD reviewed their decision and awarded the $23.5 billion 5-year contract to Humana. The two contracts combined would are worth more than $40 billion over six years, including ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/04/12/unh-unitedhealth-contests-dod-tricare-west-region-contract/71211/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(AET) Aetna Beats Earnings Expectations &#8211; Raises Dividend</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/02/08/aet-aetna-beats-earnings-expectations-raises-dividend/66430</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/02/08/aet-aetna-beats-earnings-expectations-raises-dividend/66430#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 09 Feb 2011 01:26:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CIGNA Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UNH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unitedhealth Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=66430</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.’s (AET) fourth quarter earnings of 63 cents per share came in a couple of pennies ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The company had earned 40 cents in the prior-year quarter. Better-than-expected results stemmed from higher commercial underwriting margin due to lower utilization, partially offset by lower Commercial Insured membership. Results were also buoyed by lower share count due to share repurchase activity. However, including net realized capital gains and other items, earnings came in at 53 cents per share, up a whopping 39% year over year. The third largest commercial health insurer reported total revenue of $8.5 billion in the fourth quarter, ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $8.3 billion, but dropped 2% on a year-over-year basis. This was primarily due to a decline in Health ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/02/08/aet-aetna-beats-earnings-expectations-raises-dividend/66430/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(UNH) Health Insurance Industry Outlook &#8211; Febuary 2011 &#8211; Industry Outlook</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/02/08/unh-health-insurance-industry-outlook-febuary-2011-industry-outlook/66583</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/02/08/unh-health-insurance-industry-outlook-febuary-2011-industry-outlook/66583#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 09 Feb 2011 01:22:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CIGNA Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HUM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Humana Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Miller Industries Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MLR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UNH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unitedhealth Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=66583</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Health insurance companies finished 2010 strongly gaining from a drop in medical utilization by members, driven primarily by the extremely weak labor market. Bad weather also kept them indoors during the final quarter of the year. We believe utilization will remain soft in 2011, which will act as a tailwind for the industry. Looking at past trends when unemployment increased rapidly in 2008, utilization factor did not see a proportionate drop, indicating that it typically lags the former. Thus, even as the employment scenario improves in 2011, we do not expect an increase in utilization activity until 2012. Insurers are also buoyed by low flu claims in 2010, but 2011 is predicted to witness normal flu activity, which might increase medical utilization. For health insurers high flu activity translates to ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/02/08/unh-health-insurance-industry-outlook-febuary-2011-industry-outlook/66583/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(AET) Stock Market News for Feb 07, 2011 &#8211; Market News</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/02/07/aet-stock-market-news-for-feb-07-2011-market-news/66470</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/02/07/aet-stock-market-news-for-feb-07-2011-market-news/66470#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Feb 2011 20:21:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Coinstar Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CSTR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JDS Uniphase Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JDSU]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Power-One Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PWER]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SIRO]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sirona Dental Systems Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TSN]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tyson Foods Inc.]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=66470</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Markets edged past concerns arising out of mixed employment data and closed with modest gains. The S&#38;P 500 recorded its best week for the past 9 weeks and markets closed at their best in 2 months. A moderately improving economy and modest corporate earnings inspired the indices. But lower volumes, lesser advancing shares and Egyptian concerns continued to weigh on the minds of investors. Jobs data brought little cheer but investors remained unaffected by the tepid report. According to the Labor Department, the unemployment rate fell to 9% in January from December’s 9.4%. This is the lowest rate since April 2009 and below economists’ expectation of a rise to 9.5%. Further, with only 36,000 new jobs added during the period, job creation touched a 4 month-low. On Friday, the Dow ended ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/02/07/aet-stock-market-news-for-feb-07-2011-market-news/66470/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(CI) CIGNA Faces Standard &amp; Poor&#8217;s Rating Action</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/15/ci-cigna-faces-standard-poors-rating-action/59443</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/15/ci-cigna-faces-standard-poors-rating-action/59443#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 16 Nov 2010 04:51:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CIGNA Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UNH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unitedhealth Group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=59443</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Late last week, health insurance company CIGNA Corp. (CI) received a rating revision from Standard &#38; Poor&#8217;s Ratings Services. The rating agency revised CIGNA’s financial rating outlook to “stable” from “negative,” taking into account the company’s ability to insulate its results from losses in its run-off reinsurance business over the past twenty months. CIGNA’s Run-off Reinsurance Segment, which accounted for 2% of revenues in the year 2009, has been discontinued. The segment went into the run-off mode following the sale of the U.S. individual life, group life and accidental death reinsurance business in 2000. Although the run-off reinsurance losses from the year 2009 have been abated by a market rebound over the past few months, market volatility and returns, interest rate fluctuations and annuitant behavior will likely weigh on the ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/15/ci-cigna-faces-standard-poors-rating-action/59443/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(AAPL) Company News for November 11, 2010 &#8211; Corporate Summary</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/11/aapl-company-news-for-november-11-2010-corporate-summary/58851</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/11/aapl-company-news-for-november-11-2010-corporate-summary/58851#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 11 Nov 2010 19:32:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Personal Computers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AAPL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Apple Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cisco Systems]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CSCO]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Deutsche Bank AG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fifth Third Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FITB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Goldman Sachs Group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HAL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Halliburton Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ingersoll-Rand Company Limited]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[IR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JEF]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jefferies Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kohl's Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[KSS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pactiv Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PTV]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Research In Motion Limited]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RIMM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wal-Mart Stores Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WMT]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=58851</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[• Wal-Mart (NYSE:WMT) said it will offer free shipping on its website through December 20 • Research In Motion (NASDAQ:RIMM) said it will offer its BlackBerry PlayBook tablet computer for less than $500, a move likely to undercut prices for Apple&#8217;s (NASDAQ:AAPL) winning iPad • Cisco (NASDAQ:CSCO) was downgraded by Deutsche Bank (NYSE:DB) to “hold” from &#8220;buy,&#8221; with the price target lowered from $28 to $22 • Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) held onto its &#8220;neutral&#8221; rating, but cut the price target to $23 from $25 • Cisco missed whisper targets for its gross margins, with fiscal first quarter&#8217;s 62.8% off estimates of 64%. The technology bellwether cautioned of slowing demand from European and public spending arenas, with its key service provider segment also showing signs of softness. Second quarter guidance also missed, with guidance for 32-35 ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/11/aapl-company-news-for-november-11-2010-corporate-summary/58851/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(CVH) Coventry Health Care Beats The Street &#8211; Raises Outlook</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/07/cvh-coventry-health-care-beats-the-street-raises-outlook/58310</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/07/cvh-coventry-health-care-beats-the-street-raises-outlook/58310#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 07 Nov 2010 20:17:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Coventry Health Care Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CVH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UNH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unitedhealth Group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=58310</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Coventry Health Care Inc. (CVH) reported its third-quarter income from continuing operations of $183.2 million or $1.24 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 67 cents. This also compares favorably with income of $100.4 million or 68 cents in the year-ago quarter. The improved showing was due to a continued emphasis on cost containment throughout the organization. Coventry&#8217;s income from continuing operations excludes the 5 cents per share favorable impact of the Medicare Advantage Private Fee-for-Service (MA-PFFS) product. The Medicare offering stands discontinued from January 1, 2010. Including the impact of this item, Coventry reported net income of $189.9 million or $1.29 per share. Net income in the prior-year quarter was $70.6 million or 48 cents per share, which included loss from discontinuing operations of $29.8 million or 20 ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/07/cvh-coventry-health-care-beats-the-street-raises-outlook/58310/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(MOH) Molina Healthcare Outshines Street Estimates</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/03/moh-molina-healthcare-outshines-street-estimates/56861</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/03/moh-molina-healthcare-outshines-street-estimates/56861#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Nov 2010 15:41:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Coventry Health Care Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CVH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HUM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Humana Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MOH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Molina Healthcare Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UIS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UNH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unisys Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unitedhealth Group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=56861</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Molina Healthcare Inc. (MOH) reported its third quarter income from continuing operations of $16.2 million or 57 cents per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 49 cents. The better-than-expected results in the quarter were driven by higher operating revenues coupled with ramped-up enrollment and increased focus on medical costs. Also, Molina’s reported results were much higher than the income of $8.6 million or earnings of 33 cents in the year-ago quarter. Quarterly Results Total operating revenues in the reported quarter climbed 13.4% year over year to $1.04 billion, which exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.03 billion. Molina’s investment income also surged to $1.8 million from $1.7 million a year ago. Premium revenues of Molina in the third quarter of 2010 increased 9.9% to $1.01 billion. The rise was ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/03/moh-molina-healthcare-outshines-street-estimates/56861/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(CI) CIGNA Quarterly Earnings Beat Estimates</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/03/ci-cigna-quarterly-earnings-beat-estimates/57458</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/03/ci-cigna-quarterly-earnings-beat-estimates/57458#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Nov 2010 15:14:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CIGNA Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Coventry Health Care Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CVH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HUM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Humana Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UNH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unitedhealth Group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=57458</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[CIGNA Corp.’s (CI) third quarter earnings of $1.10 per share were ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.06. The insurer earned $1.13 per share last year. Better-than-expected results came in due to improved contribution from Health Care, Disability &#38; Life and International segments. CIGNA’s net income declined 6.7% year over year to $307 million, due to $44 million of losses incurred on its run-off business operations – Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefits and Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefits. The fourth-largest commercial health insurer reported total revenue of $5.3 billion, ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.2 billion. It was also up 18% from $4.5 billion in the prior-year quarter, driven by higher business retention coupled with new account sales. Consolidated premiums and fees increased 15% to $4.6 billion, led by ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/03/ci-cigna-quarterly-earnings-beat-estimates/57458/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(AET) Company News for November 3, 2010 &#8211; Corporate Summary</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/03/aet-company-news-for-november-3-2010-corporate-summary/57658</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/03/aet-company-news-for-november-3-2010-corporate-summary/57658#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Nov 2010 14:44:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Agrium Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AGU]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BAC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bank of America Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BlackRock]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BLK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BP plc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CVS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CVS Caremark Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Goldman Sachs Group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PNC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PNC Financial Services Group Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Q]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Qwest Communications International Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RRD]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Time Warner Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TWX]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WYNN]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wynn Resorts Limited]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=57658</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[• WellPoint (NYSE:WLP) reported estimate-topping third quarter earnings of $1.74 a share, up from Zacks estimates of $1.58, on revenues of $14.33 billion, above Zacks estimates of $14.22 billion • Aetna (NYSE:AET) topped projections with third quarter results of $0.84 a share, up from Zacks estimates of $0.67, on better-than-expected revenues of $8.54 billion, up from Zacks estimates of $8.33 billion • Time Warner (NYSE:TWX) posted better-than-estimated third-quarter earnings of $0.62 a share, up from Zacks projections of $0.53, on inline revenues of $6.4 billion • CVS Caremark (NYSE:CVS) reported inline third quarter earnings of $0.65 adjusted on revenues of $23.9 billion • Qwest Communications (NYSE:Q) posted third-quarter earnings of $0.11, above Zacks estimates of $0.09, on inline revenues of $2.9 billion • RR Donnelley (NASDAQ:RRD) topped by a penny with third quarter earnings of $0.44 ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/03/aet-company-news-for-november-3-2010-corporate-summary/57658/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(UNH) Health Care Review and Outlook &#8211; September 2010 &#8211; Industry Outlook</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/09/17/unh-health-care-review-and-outlook-september-2010-industry-outlook/52020</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/09/17/unh-health-care-review-and-outlook-september-2010-industry-outlook/52020#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 17 Sep 2010 15:11:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CIGNA Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HealthSpring Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HUM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Humana Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UAM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UNH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unitedhealth Group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Universal American Corp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=52020</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The health care industry is currently undergoing a period of tremendous uncertainty due to the implications of the recent Health Care Reform Act &#8212; named the PPACA &#8212; after it becomes fully effective. Why was the reform enacted? Health care costs, which have risen rapidly in real terms in the last few decades, have strained state and federal budgets. The entire health care sector accounts for roughly 17% of the U.S. GDP, up from 5.2% in 1960. Further growth in health care costs remains a  key risk to the long-term fiscal health of the state and federal governments. This legislation attempts to address this issue. An increasing number of people were falling out of the health insurance coverage due to rising premium prices, limiting access to health care. The legislation, ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/09/17/unh-health-care-review-and-outlook-september-2010-industry-outlook/52020/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(AET) Aetna Issues $750 Million in 10-Year Notes</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/08/26/aet-aetna-issues-750-million-in-10-year-notes/49356</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/08/26/aet-aetna-issues-750-million-in-10-year-notes/49356#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:48:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MCO]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Moody's Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RBS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UBS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UBS AG]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=49356</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Aetna Inc. (AET), one of leading U.S. health care providers, yesterday announced the offering of 10-year notes amounting to $750 million. The size of the issue was originally $500 million. The proceeds from the issue will be used to retire commercial paper and for general corporate purpose. Aetna had $697 million of commercial paper outstanding as of June 30, 2010. The notes, which are denominated as senior notes, carry a rating of “Baa1” from Moody’s Investors Service, a subsidiary of Moody’s Corp. (MCO) and “A-” from both Standard &#38; Poor’s and Fitch. Interest at the rate of 3.95% will be payable on the notes twice a year. Barclays Capital, The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and UBS (UBS) were the joint bookrunning managers for the sale. Prior to this, in ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/08/26/aet-aetna-issues-750-million-in-10-year-notes/49356/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(AET) Aetna and CVS Caremark Strike Deal</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/08/02/aet-aetna-and-cvs-caremark-strike-deal/46056</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/08/02/aet-aetna-and-cvs-caremark-strike-deal/46056#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 03 Aug 2010 04:22:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CVS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CVS Caremark Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ESRX]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Express Scripts Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pacific Booker Minerals Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PBM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WAG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Walgreen Company]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=46056</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Last week, health insurer Aetna Inc. (AET) announced that it has entered into a 12-year contract with pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) CVS Caremark (CVS). Pursuant to the agreement, Caremark will act as a PBM of Aetna’s prescription drug program for its Pharmacy Benefit Unit. In the United States, a PBM is a third-party administrator of prescription drug programs who are primarily responsible for processing and paying prescription drug claims. Caremark will take on responsibility for 9.7 million of Aetna’s members, besides being responsible for developing and maintaining the formulary, contracting with pharmacies, and negotiating discounts and rebates with drug manufacturers. The contract will help Aetna lower medical costs for its members on the back of price discounts from retail pharmacies, rebates from pharmaceutical manufacturers, and the efficiencies of mail-service pharmacies. ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/08/02/aet-aetna-and-cvs-caremark-strike-deal/46056/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>(CVH) Coventry Health Care Earnings Report Raises Forward Outlook</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/08/02/cvh-coventry-health-care-earnings-report-raises-forward-outlook/45591</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/08/02/cvh-coventry-health-care-earnings-report-raises-forward-outlook/45591#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 02 Aug 2010 14:52:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Coventry Health Care Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CVH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UNH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unitedhealth Group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=45591</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[On July 30, 2010, Coventry Health Care Inc. (CVH) reported second-quarter income from continuing operations of $149.2 million or $1.01 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 57 cents. This also compares favorably with income of $67.7 million or 46 cents in the year-ago quarter. The improved showing was due to a continued emphasis on cost containment throughout the organization. Coventry&#8217;s income from continuing operations excludes the 18 cents per share impact of the Medicare Advantage Private Fee-for-Service (MA-PFFS) product and an unfavorable impact of $1.18 per share associated with the class action litigation in Louisiana announced on July 2. The Medicare offering stands discontinued from January 1, 2010. Including the impact of these items, Coventry reported net income of $1.0 million or 1 cent per share. Net income ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/08/02/cvh-coventry-health-care-earnings-report-raises-forward-outlook/45591/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>(WLP) WellPoint Earnings Beat &#8211; Raises Outlook</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/07/28/wlp-wellpoint-earnings-beat-raises-outlook/45097</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/07/28/wlp-wellpoint-earnings-beat-raises-outlook/45097#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:56:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CIGNA Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DCP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DynCorp International Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ESRX]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Express Scripts Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UNH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unitedhealth Group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=45097</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[On July 28, 2010, WellPoint Inc. (WLP) reported its second-quarter income from continuing operations of $702.8 million or $1.67 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.56. This also compares favorably with the income of $731.5 million or earnings of $1.50 in the year-ago quarter. The improved showing was attributable to higher-than-expected favorable reserve development and continued strong performance in capital management. WellPoint’s income from continuing operations excludes net investment gains of $19.6 million after-tax, or $0.04 per share in the reported quarter and net investment losses of $38.0 million after-tax or $0.07 per share in the prior-year quarter. Including these one-time items, WellPoint reported a net income of $722.4 million or $1.71 per share as opposed to $693.5 million or $1.43 per share. Behind the Headlines Total operating ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/07/28/wlp-wellpoint-earnings-beat-raises-outlook/45097/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>(AUXL) Auxilium Pharmaceuticals Reports Quarterly Loss That Narrows</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/05/06/auxl-auxilium-pharmaceuticals-reports-quarterly-loss-that-narrows/36473</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/05/06/auxl-auxilium-pharmaceuticals-reports-quarterly-loss-that-narrows/36473#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 06 May 2010 23:22:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Drug Related Products]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Auxilium Pharmaceuticals Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AUXL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health Net Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HNT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pfizer Inc.]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=36473</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Strong Testim sales helped Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (AUXL) report a narrower-than-expected net loss of 18 cents per share in the first quarter of 2010, 13 cents below the Zacks Consensus Estimate and year-ago net loss of 31 cents. Net revenues increased 31.1% to $45.5 million in the first quarter. During the reported quarter, Testim sales in the US grew 35% to $43.9 million, with prescriptions growing 14.8% from the year-ago period. According to IMS Health, Testim exited the month of Mar 2010 with a 22.4% share of the US testosterone gel market, up from the 21.6% share in the year-ago period. Worldwide Testim revenues were $44.2 million including product shipments outside the US. Auxilium expects Testim revenues in the range of $185 million to $195 million in 2010. Net revenues ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/05/06/auxl-auxilium-pharmaceuticals-reports-quarterly-loss-that-narrows/36473/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>(AET) Aetna Gets Notice From Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/04/14/aet-aetna-gets-notice-from-centers-for-medicare-medicaid-services/33671</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/04/14/aet-aetna-gets-notice-from-centers-for-medicare-medicaid-services/33671#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 14 Apr 2010 21:28:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CIGNA Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UNH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unitedhealth Group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=33671</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Recently, Aetna Inc (AET) announced that it has been informed by the Centers for Medicare &#38; Medicaid Services (CMS) of its intention to suspend the enrollment of new members into Aetna’s Medicare Advantage and Standalone Prescription Drug Plan Contracts. The suspension also stops Aetna from marketing the plans to new members. The action against the health insurer was taken due to the non-compliance of certain Medicare Part D requirements. The suspension is effective from April 21, 2010. The suspension affects Aetna&#8217;s Medicare Advantage and Standalone Prescription Drug Plans. However, it has no bearing on the company’s current Medicare enrollees. Medicare Advantage plans are privately run versions of the government&#8217;s Medicare program, under which the elderly and disabled are provided with health coverage. According to the CMS, Aetna did not comply ]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(AET) Aetna Analyst Upgrades Coverage to Neutral</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/04/07/aet-aetna-analyst-upgrades-coverage-to-neutral/33064</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/04/07/aet-aetna-analyst-upgrades-coverage-to-neutral/33064#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 08 Apr 2010 00:17:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=33064</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We recently upgraded our recommendation on Aetna (AET) to Neutral. The current state of the global economy and market conditions are quite challenging with high levels of unemployment, diminished business and consumer confidence and volatility in both the US and international capital and credit markets. However, we feel Aetna has a strong balance sheet which will enable it to tide over the current crisis. At the end of 2009, Aetna had $1.20 billion of cash and cash equivalents banking on which the company repurchased approximately 28.9 million shares of common stock for approximately $773 million. In addition, the company declared an annual cash dividend of 4 cents per share in September 2009. The recently passed health care reform will ultimately lead to an additional 32 million people getting access to ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/04/07/aet-aetna-analyst-upgrades-coverage-to-neutral/33064/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>($PFE) Health Care Reform and the Stock Market</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/03/23/pfe-health-care-reform-and-the-stock-market/31452</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/03/23/pfe-health-care-reform-and-the-stock-market/31452#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 23 Mar 2010 17:59:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HUM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Humana Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Merck & Company Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MRK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pfizer Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tenet Healthcare Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[THC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=31452</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A year and a day of high drama came to an end (or at least nearly an end) Sunday night when the House passed the Senate version of Health Care Reform along with a separate bill of fixes to some of the more obnoxious aspects of the Senate bill, such as the separate carve-outs for individual states (the so-called Louisiana Purchase and Cornhusker Kickback). Since only 50 votes are needed to pass of the package of fixes (the reconciliation bill), barring a very anti-bill ruling from the Senate Parliamentarian (the non-partisan referee on the rules) it is highly likely that it will pass. The underlying bill will be signed into law before the fixes can be voted on. The bill does many things, but it is not a government take-over ]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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	</channel>
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