Zhi Tong Cai Jing·2026-01-27 13:59Core Viewpoint - The proposed decision by the U.S. government to maintain the payment rates for Medicare private plans at current levels has led to a significant decline in healthcare stocks, disappointing investors [1] Group 1: Medicare Payment Rates - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that the payment rate for Medicare Advantage plans is expected to increase by only 0.09% by 2027, which is significantly lower than analysts' expectations of up to 6% [1] - The increase in payment rates is crucial for major insurers like UnitedHealth, CVS Health, and Humana, as it helps cover medical costs, enhance benefits for elderly clients, and boost profits [1] Group 2: Company Performance - UnitedHealth reported a slight earnings beat for Q4, with adjusted earnings per share of $2.11, slightly above the analyst average expectation of $2.10 [1] - Q4 revenue for UnitedHealth was $113.2 billion, showing a year-over-year growth of approximately 12%, but falling short of Wall Street's expectations by $520 million [1] - The company has forecasted a revenue decline for 2026, marking the first annual revenue shrinkage in over thirty years [1]