Core Viewpoint - Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM) experienced a 6.2% increase, making it the largest gainer among S&P 500 constituents [1] Company Summary - Humana's stock performance indicates strong market interest and potential positive sentiment among investors [1]

Core Insights - Humana Inc. is a major player in the Medicare Advantage market, competing with large companies like UnitedHealth Group and CVS Health [1] Company Overview - Humana Inc. is one of the largest providers of Medicare Advantage plans, serving millions of seniors in the United States [1] - The company faces competition from significant rivals such as UnitedHealth Group Incorporated and CVS Health Corporation [1] Market Context - The analysis focuses on small- to mid-cap companies, which are often overlooked by investors, while also providing insights into large-cap companies for a broader market perspective [1]

Group 1 - Humana's stock experienced a significant increase following the disclosure of findings from the government's Star Ratings for its 2026 Medicare Advantage plans [1]

Core Viewpoint - Humana reported that approximately 20% of its members are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans rated 4 stars and above for 2026, which positively impacted its stock price by 3.1% to $254.68. The company also noted an increase in members in 4.5-star plans from 3% in 2025 to 14% in 2026, aligning with its expectations for the preliminary star ratings [1][2]. Group 1: Star Ratings and Financial Impact - Plans with higher star ratings result in increased government payments to insurers, potentially amounting to hundreds of millions or billions of dollars [2]. - The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) assigns star ratings from one to five for Medicare Advantage plans, with five being the highest. Humana expressed dissatisfaction with its 2026 ratings but aims to achieve top quartile results for the 2027 ratings [3]. Group 2: Industry Trends and Company Outlook - The 2026 star ratings will influence insurers' revenues in 2027. Humana, along with CVS Health and UnitedHealth Group, plans to reduce Medicare Advantage offerings due to anticipated decreases in government reimbursement [4]. - Humana reaffirmed its annual adjusted profit forecast of approximately $17 per share [4].

(Bloomberg) -- Humana Inc. shares jumped after the company affirmed its earnings guidance for 2025, reassuring investors who have been blindsided by insurance companies’ outlook cuts this year. The company said its preliminary view of Medicare quality ratings are in-line with its assumptions in a filing Thursday. Some of the ratings were inadvertently disclosed on a Medicare website, it said. Humana shares rose as much as 8.2% on the news, the most since July. The Louisville, Kentucky-based insurer is f ...

Humana said on Thursday it has about 20% of its members currently enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans rated 4 stars and above for 2026, based on preliminary data. ...

This story was originally published on Healthcare Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Healthcare Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Humana will have 20% of its Medicare Advantage members in plans rated 4 stars or above in 2026, down slightly from 2025 but in line with internal expectations, the insurer disclosed Thursday. Humana — the second largest MA carrier in the country — did see an improvement in members in plans rated 4.5 stars or above. Next year, 14% of Humana’s MA ...

Core Insights - Humana Inc. (HUM) is positioned for growth due to increasing premiums, strategic acquisitions, an aging population in the U.S., and strong cash generation capacity [1] Membership and Premium Growth - Humana's membership base is expanding, particularly in Medicare Advantage and state-based programs, with Group Medicare Advantage membership increasing by 4.6% year over year and state-based contracts rising by 13.7% in Q2 2025 [2] - Premiums have shown consistent growth, with increases of 9.9% in 2022, 15.5% in 2023, 10.7% in 2024, and 8.6% in the first half of 2025 [2] - An anticipated increase of 175,000-250,000 members in state-based contracts is expected in 2025 [2] Segment Performance and Revenue Projections - Adjusted revenues in the insurance segment grew by 8.4% year over year in the first half of 2025, with projected revenues of at least $123 billion for the segment in 2025 [3] - The CenterWell segment's revenues increased by 8.9% year over year, with expectations of reaching at least $21.5 billion in 2025 [4] Strategic Expansion and Acquisitions - Humana is expanding its Medicaid presence with a new contract in Virginia, bringing its active presence to 10 states, with three additional states pending [5] - The company is pursuing strategic acquisitions and optimizing its portfolio by divesting non-core operations to enhance profitability [5] Financial Position - As of June 30, 2025, Humana held cash, cash equivalents, and investment securities totaling $21.7 billion, significantly exceeding its long-term debt of $12.6 billion [6] - The company has engaged in share repurchases worth $109 million in the first half of 2025, supported by strong operating cash flows [6] Earnings Performance - Humana has a strong earnings surprise history, exceeding estimates in three of the last four quarters with an average surprise of 9.6% [9] Challenges and Concerns - Operating expenses have been increasing, with year-over-year jumps of 11.5%, 14.9%, 12.5%, and 7.8% from 2022 to the first half of 2025 [10] - The benefit ratio deteriorated by 70 basis points year over year to 89.7% in Q2 2025, with expectations for the insurance segment's benefit ratio to be between 90.1% and 90.5% for 2025 [10] - Humana's debt-laden balance sheet is leading to increased interest expenses, which may pressure margins [10] Competitive Landscape - Competitors like Elevance Health, Inc. and The Cigna Group are also performing well, with Elevance Health's total operating revenues rising by 14.8% year over year in the first half of 2025 [11] - Cigna's adjusted revenues increased by 13% year over year in the same period, indicating strong market competition [12]

Core Insights - Leading health insurers are scaling back their Medicare Advantage offerings due to anticipated decreases in government reimbursement starting in 2024 [1][5] - The reduction in Medicare Advantage plans is a response to higher-than-expected medical service usage and lower payments related to patients' health conditions [5][6] Company Actions - CVS Health's Aetna will reduce its prescription drug plans by 100 counties in 2026, while Humana will decrease its plan availability to 85% of counties, down from 89% [2][8] - UnitedHealth will cease operations in 109 counties, impacting approximately 180,000 individuals [2][12] - Humana will operate in 46 states in 2026, down from 48, and Aetna will offer plans in 43 states and 2,159 counties, a reduction from 44 states and 2,259 counties [8] Market Dynamics - Insurers are exiting less profitable markets due to funding cuts from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, rising healthcare costs, and increased service utilization [6][7] - UnitedHealth's decision to shut down over 100 plans will affect around 600,000 members, primarily those enrolled in preferred provider organizations [12] Plan Offerings - Humana plans to introduce new plan types in four states across 177 counties, with 83% of its standalone prescription drug plans in 2026 expected to have decreased premiums [11] - CVS Health aims to expand its offerings for individuals eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid to 16 new states [11]

Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM) ranks among the stocks with low beta that can beat market volatility. On September 22, Evercore ISI began coverage of Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM) with an In Line rating and a $295 price target, emphasizing the company’s medium-term concerns as well as its potential for long-term earnings growth. Pixabay/Public Domain Evercore ISI stated that “after 2028, Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM) has the right mix of assets to grow adjusted EBIT at an LDD rate (and EPS likely at a mid-teens CAGR),” despit ...