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	<title>Stock Blog Hub &#187; WellPoint 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>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/04/20/unh-health-insurance-stock-outlook-april-2012-industry-outlook/99299/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(WAG) Walgreen Inks Deal with AARP</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/03/07/wag-walgreen-inks-deal-with-aarp/94117</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/03/07/wag-walgreen-inks-deal-with-aarp/94117#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 07 Mar 2012 17:41:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Drug Stores]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Services]]></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>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=94117</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Leading drugstore chain Walgreen (WAG) recently entered into a three-year contract with a nonprofit organization AARP, to deliver retail drugstore program benefits to its members belonging to the 50-plus age group. Although both the organizations did not disclose the financial terms of the deal, but together announced that this new deal is aimed at further enhancing their long standing relationship that was initiated in 2006. This new AARP program includes AARP membership card offers, AARP online discounts and Pharmacy benefits. Concurrently, both the companies together will also develop a new event called Walgreens Way to Well Health Tour in medically underserved areas plagued with chronic diseases. Under this event, they aim to provide medical coverage to approximately 100,000 people annually. This strategic move by Walgreen should help make up for ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/03/07/wag-walgreen-inks-deal-with-aarp/94117/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(WLP) These Healthcare Insurance Stocks Are Ready to Rise</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/01/31/wlp-these-healthcare-insurance-stocks-are-ready-to-rise/28975</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/01/31/wlp-these-healthcare-insurance-stocks-are-ready-to-rise/28975#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:47:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>InvestmentU</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AEE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ameren Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CIGNA Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Coventry Health Care Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CVH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HealthSpring Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HUM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Humana Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PCG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PEG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PG & E Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Public Service Enterprise Group Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UAM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Universal American Corp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=28975</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[by Marc Lichtenfeld, Healthcare Expert Wednesday, February 24, 2010: Issue #1203 Healthcare Reform 2.0 is here – this time without as much pork. Good thing, too. Pork is loaded with cholesterol, which increases heart disease, healthcare costs and… well, you get the idea. The President released his revised plan for healthcare reform earlier this week. And while the new proposal is similar to the Senate’s on Christmas Eve, it eliminates some of the pork to Nebraska and other special interests. I’m not going to politicize, though. I’ll leave that to the wackos on talk radio and cable “news” programs. I’ll just focus on what the plan means to health insurers – and investors. Stemming the Tide of Health Insurance Premium Hikes Obama has stated that his proposal is an opening ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/01/31/wlp-these-healthcare-insurance-stocks-are-ready-to-rise/28975/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(BMS) Company News for January 26, 2012 &#8211; Corporate Summary</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/01/26/bms-company-news-for-january-26-2012-corporate-summary/90898</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/01/26/bms-company-news-for-january-26-2012-corporate-summary/90898#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:07:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Consumer Goods]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Packaging & Containers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bemis Company Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BMS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ca Technologies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Corning Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ERIC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GLW]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lm Ericsson Telephone Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=90898</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[•    Manufacturer of flexible packaging products Bemis Co.’s (NYSE:BMS) shares rose 6% to end the day at $31.79 after the company posted better-than-expected fourth-quarter profits •    Share prices of WellPoint Inc. (NSYE:WLP) retreated 4.76% after the health insurer said it expects its 2012 earnings to come in below the Street’s expectations •    Specialty glass maker  Corning Inc.’s (NYSE:GLW) share prices fell 10.74% after the company announced it would lower product prices in the ongoing quarter, which will help customers to overcome financial stress in the LCD market •    Share prices of IT management software and solutions company CA Inc. (NASDAQ:CA) rallied 9.68% to close at $25.03 following the company&#8217;s optimistic view on its 2012 earnings outlook which will be above the Street&#8217;s estimates •    U.S. listed share prices of Sweden ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/01/26/bms-company-news-for-january-26-2012-corporate-summary/90898/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<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>(ESRX) Walgreen Braves Express Scripts Loss</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/01/03/esrx-walgreen-braves-express-scripts-loss/89521</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/01/03/esrx-walgreen-braves-express-scripts-loss/89521#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:16:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Management Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Services]]></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[SUPERVALU Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SVU]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WAG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Walgreen Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=89521</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The six-month dispute with Express Scripts (ESRX) took its toll on Walgreen’s (WAG) recently released first quarter fiscal 2012 results. The company’s bottom-line was impacted by 2 cents per share from the loss of pharmacy sales and expenses associated with the dispute. If a contract renewal is not finalized, effective January 1, 2012, Walgreen’s 7,800 pharmacies will not be a part of Express Scripts’ pharmacy provider network. The contract accounted for $5.3 billion of sales in fiscal 2011 as Express Scripts processed 88 million prescriptions filled by Walgreens. In the recently concluded quarter the pharmacy benefit manager processed as much as 26 million prescriptions from Walgreen. The wrangle would undoubtedly have an adverse impact on Walgreen’s sales, earnings and cash flow, going by the company’s recently filed 10Q. However, the ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/01/03/esrx-walgreen-braves-express-scripts-loss/89521/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(WAG) Walgreen Plans to Offset Express Scripts Loss</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/01/03/wag-walgreen-plans-to-offset-express-scripts-loss/89549</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/01/03/wag-walgreen-plans-to-offset-express-scripts-loss/89549#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:05:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Drug Stores]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Services]]></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[SUPERVALU Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SVU]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WAG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Walgreen Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=89549</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Walgreen (WAG) is commencing the New Year with efforts aimed at minimizing the impact of the non-renewal of the Express Scripts (ESRX) contract, which has just lapsed. With the intention of retaining Express Scripts’ clients, Walgreen recently came up with its comprehensive Patient Transition Plan, which will help smoothe the transition of existing members of the Express Scripts pharmacy network to another community pharmacy. Under this plan, Walgreen is providing several discounts to the members of Walgreen Prescriptions Savings Club, which facilitates savings on over 8,000 brand names and all generic drugs. The six-month dispute regarding the Express Scripts contract took its toll on Walgreen’s first quarter 2012 results. The company’s bottom-line was impacted by 2 cents per share from the loss of pharmacy sales and expenses associated with the ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/01/03/wag-walgreen-plans-to-offset-express-scripts-loss/89549/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>(CI) Cigna Rating Affirmed by A.M. Best</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/12/07/ci-cigna-rating-affirmed-by-a-m-best/88173</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/12/07/ci-cigna-rating-affirmed-by-a-m-best/88173#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 07 Dec 2011 17:51:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AirShares EU Carbon Allowances]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ASO]]></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[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=88173</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As a part of its annual rating review process, rating agency A.M. Best undertook its rating action on CIGNA Corp. (CI). The action resulted in affirmation of the company’s issuer credit rating (ICR) of “bbb” and financial strength rating of “A”, with a stable outlook. The rating agency acknowledged Cigna’s solid operating performance due to lower medical utilization, favorable prior year reserve release and strong specialty earnings. The rating agency is also positive on Cigna’s differentiated product segment – 11% commercial fully insured (11%), experience rated members (8%) and administrative services only (ASO) (81%). Cigna’s vast exposure to the ASO business increases its prominence amongst its peers, as this line of business is growing tremendously. Additionally, the company is expected to see continued increase in demand for ASO products as ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/12/07/ci-cigna-rating-affirmed-by-a-m-best/88173/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(WLP) Health Insurers Cut Third Quarter Lobbying Costs</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/12/06/wlp-health-insurers-cut-third-quarter-lobbying-costs/88069</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/12/06/wlp-health-insurers-cut-third-quarter-lobbying-costs/88069#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 06 Dec 2011 19:37:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></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=88069</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Most of the leading health insurance companies reduced their lobbying costs in the third quarter of 2011, compared with the second quarter, although many recorded a year-over-year increase. WellPoint Inc. (WLP), the largest health insurer based on membership, spent $870,000 on lobbying in the third quarter, up 9% from the prior-year quarter. However, the cost was down by a substantial 34% from the second quarter of 2011. The second-largest health insurer based on membership and largest in terms of total revenue, UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH), also recorded a significant 18% year-over-year hike to $650,000, while it witnessed a sizeable 24% decline from the prior quarter. Meanwhile, CIGNA Corporation (CI), the fourth largest health insurer on the basis of membership, bucked the trend by reducing its lobbying cost by a considerable ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/12/06/wlp-health-insurers-cut-third-quarter-lobbying-costs/88069/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>
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		<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>
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		<title>(LH) Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings Earnings Scorecard</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/11/03/lh-laboratory-corporation-of-america-holdings-earnings-scorecard/86241</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/11/03/lh-laboratory-corporation-of-america-holdings-earnings-scorecard/86241#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 03 Nov 2011 15:12:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Medical Laboratories & Research]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CIGNA Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DGX]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HUM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Humana Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Quest Diagnostics Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=86241</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The announcement of Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings’ (LH) third quarter fiscal 2011 results, as on October 20, 2011, has led analysts to revise their estimates lower for the fourth quarter and fiscal 2011. Third Quarter Highlights LabCorp reported adjusted EPS of $1.61 (excluding amortization, restructuring and other special charges) for the third quarter of fiscal 2011. The result was higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.60 and the previous year&#8217;s adjusted EPS of $1.58. Revenues increased 10% year over year to $1,404.5 million, marginally missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,408 million. Testing volume (measured by requisitions) and revenue per requisition increased 2.1% and 7.8%, respectively. LabCorp updated its guidance for fiscal 2011. The company now expects a 10.5?11% revenue growth (previous guidance of 9.5?11.5%) resulting in adjusted EPS ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/11/03/lh-laboratory-corporation-of-america-holdings-earnings-scorecard/86241/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(AMZN) All Eyes Are on Europe and U.S. Market Earnings</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/10/26/amzn-all-eyes-are-on-europe-and-u-s-market-earnings/85925</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/10/26/amzn-all-eyes-are-on-europe-and-u-s-market-earnings/85925#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 26 Oct 2011 16:17:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Catalog & Mail Order Houses]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Amazon.com Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AMZN]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ConocoPhillips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[COP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[F]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ford Motor Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LMT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lockheed Martin Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[S]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sprint Nextel Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=85925</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[All eyes are on Europe today, where leaders are expected to announce the much-delayed plan to tackle the common currency&#8217;s problems. And while we wait for news out of Europe, the positive tone of this morning&#8217;s earnings reports from a number of key companies and the monthly Durable Goods reading should keep the market mood favorable. Last night&#8217;s Amazon (AMZN) miss notwithstanding, the overall tone of earnings reports thus far in this reporting cycle in general and this morning in particular has been reassuringly positive. There are still some lingering questions about next year&#8217;s earnings expectations, but overall the earnings picture remains strong. This morning&#8217;s September Durable Goods report came roughly in-line with expectations on the &#8216;headline&#8217; basis, but was significantly better than expected on the &#8216;core&#8217; basis. The &#8216;core&#8217; number, ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/10/26/amzn-all-eyes-are-on-europe-and-u-s-market-earnings/85925/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>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(LH) Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings-UnitedHealth Extend Pact</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/09/15/lh-laboratory-corporation-of-america-holdings-unitedhealth-extend-pact/83046</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/09/15/lh-laboratory-corporation-of-america-holdings-unitedhealth-extend-pact/83046#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 15 Sep 2011 17:48:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Medical Laboratories & Research]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CIGNA Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LH]]></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=83046</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Last week, Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (LH) announced that it has extended its agreement with UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company, an affiliate of UnitedHealth Group (UNH). The agreement, effective since January 1, 2007, will continue until 2018. Under the terms of the agreement, LabCorp will continue to be the national laboratory for UnitedHealthcare and Oxford Health Plans and the exclusive laboratory provider for some HMO benefit plans. In 2006, LabCorp had entered into a 10-year agreement with UnitedHealthcare to become its exclusive national laboratory. The company continues to work closely with MCOs by providing value-added services. The growth of the managed care sector and consolidation have presented various challenges and opportunities to several independent clinical laboratories. Last year, LabCorp extended its contracts with Wellpoint Inc. (WLP) and Cigna Corporation (CI) through ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/09/15/lh-laboratory-corporation-of-america-holdings-unitedhealth-extend-pact/83046/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<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>
		</item>
		<item>
		<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>(ESRX) Express Scripts Revenue Rises &#8211; Earnings Report In Line</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/08/04/esrx-express-scripts-revenue-rises-earnings-report-in-line/79677</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/08/04/esrx-express-scripts-revenue-rises-earnings-report-in-line/79677#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 04 Aug 2011 16:58:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Management Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ASR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ESRX]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Express Scripts Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Grupo Aeroportuario Del Sureste SA de CV]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MedcoHealth Solutions Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MHS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pacific Booker Minerals Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PBM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=79677</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Express Scripts Inc.’s (ESRX) second quarter 2011 earnings of 71 cents per share (excluding special items) were in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate but were well above the year-ago adjusted earnings of 60 cents per share. The jump in earnings is attributable to reduced selling, general and administrative expenses and a lower share count as compared with the year-ago quarter. Quarterly Details Second quarter revenues of $11.36 billion surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $11.32 billion and the year ago revenues of $11.29 billion. Adjusted gross profit for the quarter improved 4.5% to $812.6 million, and adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 8.5% to $194.6 million. Total claims at Express Scripts for the reported quarter came in at 161.4 million against 164.5 million in the second quarter of ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/08/04/esrx-express-scripts-revenue-rises-earnings-report-in-line/79677/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>
		</item>
		<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>
		</item>
		<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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		<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>(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>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(HUM) Humana to Pay Dividend &#8211; Raises Outlook</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/04/29/hum-humana-to-pay-dividend-raises-outlook/72777</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/04/29/hum-humana-to-pay-dividend-raises-outlook/72777#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 29 Apr 2011 13:56:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HUM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Humana Inc.]]></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=72777</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As a result of the health care sector&#8217;s latest restrictions, Humana Inc. (HUM) plans to offer a quarterly dividend, besides raising the fiscal year 2011 forecast. Accordingly, Humana’s Board has initiated a quarterly cash dividend of 25 cents per share, payable on July 28 to shareholders of record on June 30. On an annual basis, the payout will represent a yield of nearly 1.4% based on April 25&#8242;s closing stock price. Humana is expected to spend about $42.5 million per quarter on its new dividend. Moreover, Humana has also decided to replace its share repurchase authorization of up to $250 million with an authorization for repurchases of up to $1 billion by June 30, 2013. In addition to the dividend declaration and the increase of the stock buyback plan, Humana ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/04/29/hum-humana-to-pay-dividend-raises-outlook/72777/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>
		</item>
		<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>(WLP) WellPoint Provides 2011 Guidance</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/03/04/wlp-wellpoint-provides-2011-guidance/67661</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/03/04/wlp-wellpoint-provides-2011-guidance/67661#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 05 Mar 2011 00:43:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CIGNA Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ESRX]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Express Scripts 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=67661</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc. (WLP), at its investor conference provided its guidance for full year 2011. The company reaffirmed its expectation of delivering net income of least $6.30 per share. The Zacks Consensus Estimates for 2011 is in line with the company’s guidance. The company also expects to achieve earnings per share growth of at least 10% over a longer term. WellPoint expects operating revenue to be $59.5 million in 2011, up 3% year over year. The company also expects Medical enrollment growth in the National, State Sponsored, Senior and Federal Employee Plan businesses, partially offset by attrition in Local Group and Individual. Selling, General and Administrative (SG&#38;A) expenses are likely to decrease $400 million or 4.5%, and the SG&#38;A Expense Ratio is projected to be 14.2%, a decrease of 110 basis ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/03/04/wlp-wellpoint-provides-2011-guidance/67661/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>(SIGA) These Healthcare Stocks Are Ready to Move Next Week</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/01/07/siga-these-healthcare-stocks-are-ready-to-move-next-week/64553</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/01/07/siga-these-healthcare-stocks-are-ready-to-move-next-week/64553#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 07 Jan 2011 18:11:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>InvestmentU</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Drug Manufacturers - Other]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Athenahealth Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ATHN]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CGEN]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Compugen Limited]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DCTH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Delcath Systems Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eli Lilly & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ESRX]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Express Scripts Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LLY]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MCK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[McKesson Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MedcoHealth Solutions Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Merck & Company Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MHS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MOH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Molina Healthcare Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MRK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nektar Therapeutics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NKTR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pfizer Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SIGA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SIGA Technologies Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TEVA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=64553</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[by Marc Lichtenfeld, Investment U’s Senior Analyst Wednesday, January 5, 2011: Issue #1421 Once again, I’ve secured my golden ticket to the most important healthcare event of the year. In the past, I’ve described the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference as the Super Bowl of the healthcare investing world. That’s no exaggeration either, as industry executives and investors jet in from all over the world to attend. And with hotels, restaurants and even the 37 Starbucks in Union Square packed with people looking for and providing information, even those without an invitation still hit San Francisco just to be near the action. It’s the place to get the latest news on drug development, research funding, and the companies that could be on the cusp of greatness. And for the past few ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/01/07/siga-these-healthcare-stocks-are-ready-to-move-next-week/64553/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>(WLP) WellPoint Earnings Reports Outshines &#8211; Forecast Raised</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/07/wlp-wellpoint-earnings-reports-outshines-forecast-raised/57978</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/07/wlp-wellpoint-earnings-reports-outshines-forecast-raised/57978#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 07 Nov 2010 20:26:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></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]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=57978</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc. (WLP) reported its third-quarter income from continuing operations of $701.2 million or $1.74 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.58. However, this compares unfavorably with the income of $850.5 million or earnings of $1.78 in the year-ago quarter. The improved showing was attributable to higher-than-expected favorable reserve development and continued strong performance in administrative expense management. WellPoint’s income from continuing operations excludes net investment gains of $37.9 million after-tax, or approximately 10 cents per share in the reported quarter, while it excludes net investment gains of $14.1 million after-tax or 3 cents per share and an impairment charge of $134.4 million after-tax, or 28 cents per share in the prior year quarter. Including these one-time items, WellPoint reported a net income of $739.1 million or $1.84 ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/07/wlp-wellpoint-earnings-reports-outshines-forecast-raised/57978/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>(AA) Stock Market News for November 3, 2010 &#8211; Market News</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/03/aa-stock-market-news-for-november-3-2010-market-news/57657</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/03/aa-stock-market-news-for-november-3-2010-market-news/57657#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Nov 2010 14:43:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Aluminum]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Basic Materials]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Alcoa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[American Express Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AOL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aol Incorporated]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Art Technology Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ARTG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AXP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CFS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chevron Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Comforce Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CVS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CVS Caremark Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CVX]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DELL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dell Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FCX]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HD]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marathon Oil Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mastercard Incorporated]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MCO]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Moody's Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MRO]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MSFT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NWSA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Oracle Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ORCL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regions Financial Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RF]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[STI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SunTrust Banks Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Home Depot]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Time Warner Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TWX]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UBS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UBS AG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[United States Steel Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[X]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ZION]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Zions BanCorporation]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=57657</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Stocks advanced broadly on Tuesday as investors turned their focus toward the results of mid-term elections and a two-day Federal Reserve meeting that is expected to unveil more measures to revive the economy.  The advance sent the Dow average to its highest close in more than six months as most of its components marked gains on the day. Interest rate hikes from central banks of India and Australia also had a part in yesterday’s rally. The 30-share blue-chip average advanced 64 points, or about 0.6%, to 11,188.72, its highest level since April 26. The broader S&#38;P’s 500-stock index climbed more than 9 points, or nearly 0.8%, to 1193.57 and the technology-focused Nasdaq rose more than 28 points, or 1.1%, to 2533.52. On the New York Stock Exchange, three stocks rose ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/03/aa-stock-market-news-for-november-3-2010-market-news/57657/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(BHI) Stock Market News for November 1, 2010 &#8211; Market News</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/01/bhi-stock-market-news-for-november-1-2010-market-news/57198</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/01/bhi-stock-market-news-for-november-1-2010-market-news/57198#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Nov 2010 18:01:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Basic Materials]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Oil and Gas Equipment and Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Baker Hughes Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BHI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BP plc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CVS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CVS Caremark Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FLR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fluor Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[L]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Loews Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mastercard Incorporated]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pfizer Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=57198</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Stocks had a flat day on Friday but closed out October on a solid footing as investors braced themselves for this week’s Federal Reserve meeting and the mid-term elections. Upward revision to second-quarter GDP also helped send indexes higher. The Dow average edged up slightly more than 4 points, or 0.04%, to 11118.49. Microsoft led the gainers on the DJIA, rising 1.5% to $26.66. The broader S&#38;P’s 500 stock index fell less than a point or 0.1% to 1183.26. The technology-focused Nasdaq Composite index closed the session almost unchanged. On the New York Stock Exchange, two stocks advanced for everyone that declined. For the month, the Dow average gained 3.1% while the broader S&#38;P’s 500-stock index closed up 3.7%. The Nasdaq Composite index was the leading gainer of the three ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/01/bhi-stock-market-news-for-november-1-2010-market-news/57198/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>
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		<title>(WLP) WellPoint Second Quarter 2010 Earnings Scorecard</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/08/22/wlp-wellpoint-second-quarter-2010-earnings-scorecard/48199</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/08/22/wlp-wellpoint-second-quarter-2010-earnings-scorecard/48199#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 22 Aug 2010 23:02:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ESRX]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Express Scripts Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Miller Industries Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MLR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=48199</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Following the release of second quarter results on July 28, 2010, the majority of analysts covering WellPoint Inc. (WLP) made upward revisions to their fourth-quarter and 2010 annual estimates. However, third-quarter of 2010 and 2011 annual estimates witnessed more of a downward trend among analysts over the last 30-day period. Earnings Report Review The company performed impressively in the second quarter, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 11 cents and year-ago earnings by 17 cents (excluding special items). Following the impressive first quarter results, the company raised the 2010 net income guidance and lowered its operating revenue outlook. WellPoint’s earnings in the reported quarter were $1.67 per share, excluding net investment gains of 4 cents per share. On a reported basis, the company earned $1.71 per share, against year-ago earnings ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/08/22/wlp-wellpoint-second-quarter-2010-earnings-scorecard/48199/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>(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>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/04/14/aet-aetna-gets-notice-from-centers-for-medicare-medicaid-services/33671/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<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>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/03/23/pfe-health-care-reform-and-the-stock-market/31452/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(WLP) WellPoint Provides 2010 Financial Outlook</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/03/18/wlp-wellpoint-provides-2010-financial-outlook/31107</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/03/18/wlp-wellpoint-provides-2010-financial-outlook/31107#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:56:08 +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[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=31107</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Recently, WellPoint Inc. (WLP) provided its financial outlook for fiscal 2010. The health insurer expects operating revenue of approximately $59.0 billion in fiscal 2010 as against $60.8 billion reported in 2009, down approximately 3%. The decline is primarily attributable to lower insured membership, among other factors. The projection assumes that economic headwinds will continue to affect the company’s business throughout 2010. Specifically, the high unemployment level, which resulted in a 3.9% year-over-year decline in medical membership to 33.7 million in 2009, is expected to bring down medical membership further by 400,000 people in 2010. The company projects operating cash flow of approximately $1.1 billion in 2010. The operating cash flow projection includes tax payments of $1.2 billion related to the sale of WellPoint’s NextRx pharmacy benefit management companies and an ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/03/18/wlp-wellpoint-provides-2010-financial-outlook/31107/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(WLP) Health Care Outlook &amp; Stock Review &#8211; Industry Outlook</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/03/04/wlp-health-care-outlook-stock-review-industry-outlook/29684</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/03/04/wlp-health-care-outlook-stock-review-industry-outlook/29684#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:44:05 +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[BIOS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BioScrip Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CIGNA Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health Net Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HNT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HUM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Humana Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MOH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Molina Healthcare Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UNH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unitedhealth Group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WellPoint Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WLP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ZOLL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Zoll Medical Corporation]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=29684</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[OVERVIEW The healthcare sector comprises different industries, ranging from managed care organizations, healthcare facilities providers and medical devices manufacturers to biotech and pharmaceutical companies. Consequently, we believe that investors in this sector should be mindful of the different drivers and appropriate metrics associated with the various sub-sectors. In the present scenario, investor sentiment in healthcare continues to be driven by decisions in the Congress related to government funding and the state of the broader economy. In view of the ongoing healthcare reform debate in the Congress, healthcare policy changes remain an important indicator to investing in the sector. The Health Bill intends to cover nearly all Americans by providing government subsidies to help pay premiums irrespective of health or income. President Obama has made a last-ditch effort to revive the ]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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