With a market cap of $9.7 billion, Molina Healthcare, Inc. (MOH) delivers managed healthcare services to low-income individuals and families. It serves members through Medicaid, Medicare, and state insurance marketplace programs. The Long Beach, California-based company is slated to announce its fiscal Q4 2025 results after the market closes on Thursday, Feb. 5. Ahead of the event, analysts expect MOH to report an adjusted EPS of $0.43, down 91.5% from $5.05 in the year-ago quarter. It has surpassed Wall ...

Key Points Medicare provides insurance coverage for millions of retirees. Some changes are happening next year that retirees won't like. These changes could mean more obstacles to care and more money spent out of pocket. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › If you're a senior covered by Medicare, you should be aware of some important changes happening this year. Some of these changes could increase your costs or make it harder to get care. Here's what you need to ...

Key Points Enrolling in Medicare on time could save you money down the line. Buying supplemental insurance is crucial, but get your timing right. Certain Medicare costs apply universally, and it's important to know what they entail. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › Medicare, like Social Security, is a program that millions of older Americans rely on heavily. Whereas Social Security pays monthly benefits to eligible retirees, Medicare provides health coverage t ...

The rise in Medicare premiums and deductibles will be offset by a cap on drug prices. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, championed by then-President Joe Biden, places a $2,000 annual cap on overall prescription drug costs, representing potentially huge savings for retirees.If you have a high-deductible health plan, you likely have access to a health savings account. Take full advantage of it. In 2026, HSA contribution limits are $4,400 for individuals and $8,750 for family coverage, with an extra $1,000 ...

Core Insights - Many seniors anticipate turning 65 for Medicare eligibility, but Medicare does not cover all health-related services, leading to potential financial surprises for retirees [1][5] - Long-term care is a significant expense that Medicare does not cover, which can lead to financial difficulties if not planned for [2][3] Long-term Care Costs - Long-term care costs are rising, and Medicare does not cover these expenses as they are not considered medical in nature [3] - Average long-term care costs in 2024 include: - Home health aide: $77,792 per year - Assisted living: $70,800 per year - Nursing home with shared room: $111,325 per year - Nursing home with private room: $127,750 per year [6][4] Financial Planning for Long-term Care - It is crucial for retirees to have a plan for long-term care to avoid financial upheaval, as Medicare will not provide coverage [5][7] - Options for funding long-term care include boosting retirement savings, with some individuals relying on large IRA or 401(k) balances [7] - Retirees should consider that their savings may diminish over time, especially if long-term care is needed later in retirement [8]

Core Insights - The article highlights the increasing anxiety among older Americans due to a surge in Medicare scam calls, which have risen by 40% compared to the previous year [2] Group 1: Nature of the Scam - Scammers often pose as representatives from health care or Medicare, claiming to verify coverage or confirm Medicare numbers to prevent disruption of benefits [2][4] - The calls typically involve simple scripts where callers inquire about Medicare Parts A and B, offering Medicare Advantage plans or free medical equipment [4] - Legitimate Medicare communications are rarely made via unsolicited phone calls, and scammers often possess personal information to appear credible [5] Group 2: Impact on Seniors - Medicare fraud can have serious implications for seniors, affecting their actual medical care rather than just being a financial threat [3] - Victims of these scams may find unauthorized charges for services or equipment they never requested, leading to significant distress [7] Group 3: Escalation of Harassment - Engaging with scammers, even briefly, can lead to increased harassment as it signals that the number is active, resulting in more frequent calls [6]

Core Viewpoint - Humana Inc. is a prominent health insurance provider in the U.S., recently rated "Underperform" by Morgan Stanley, which has lowered its price target for the company [1][6]. Financial Performance - Morgan Stanley adjusted Humana's price target from $277 to $262, while the stock was priced at $260.28, reflecting a slight increase of $2.12 or 0.82% [2][6]. - Humana's stock has fluctuated between $256.35 and $266.08 during the day, with a yearly high of $315.35 and a low of $206.87. The company's market capitalization is approximately $31.3 billion [4][6]. Contracts and Partnerships - The U.S. Defense Department awarded Humana a $7.3 billion contract for health care and administrative support services, indicating a strong relationship with the Pentagon and potential positive impacts on future financial performance [3][5][6]. Market Activity - Today's trading volume for Humana is 1,073,203 shares, indicating significant investor interest despite the "Underperform" rating from Morgan Stanley [5][6].

Patricio Nahuelhual / Getty Images Many retirees say they can't absorb a surprise expense. Here's what experts suggest. Key Takeaways Only a small proportion of retirees say they're equipped to handle a financial shock, according to a T. Rowe Price survey. Financial planners say the most common financial shocks retirees face are medical expenses that Medicare doesn’t cover and housing-related costs. In life, accidents happen. But when they occur during retirement, it's important to be prepared—other ...

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. health insurance industry, particularly Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), is leveraging strategic mergers and acquisitions along with technological innovations to enhance market presence and competitiveness despite rising medical costs and regulatory pressures [1][3]. Industry Overview - The HMO industry includes entities that provide basic and supplemental health services, assuming risks and assigning premiums to health insurance policies [4]. - Services are typically offered through a network of approved care providers, with exceptions for emergencies [5]. Current Trends - Rising medical expenses are driven by deferred care, chronic disease management, and increasing costs of specialty drugs, leading to higher healthcare utilization and insurance claims [6][7]. - Demographic trends, such as an aging population and increased chronic illnesses, are intensifying long-term cost pressures, straining the Health Benefit Ratio and compressing profit margins [7]. - Regulatory challenges are significant, with proposals potentially reducing federal Medicaid funding and altering Medicare Advantage payment rates, creating uncertainty for health insurers [8][9]. - The ongoing shortage of healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, is impacting hospital operations and the quality of care provided by HMOs [11][12]. Strategic Focus - HMOs are increasingly engaging in mergers and acquisitions to enhance capabilities and market reach, supported by favorable interest rates from the Federal Reserve [13][14]. - The anticipated Medicare Advantage rate increases in 2026 may provide some margin support for insurers [10]. Industry Performance - The Zacks Medical-HMO industry has underperformed, declining 25.8% over the past year compared to the S&P 500's growth of 2.4% [18]. - The industry is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 16.04X, lower than the S&P 500's 23.35X and the sector's 20.92X [19]. Company Highlights - **UnitedHealth Group**: Driven by strong performances in its UnitedHealthcare and Optum segments, with a consensus estimate for 2025 earnings at $16.29 per share, indicating an 11.9% revenue growth [21][22]. - **Humana**: Steady growth supported by rising premiums and an expanding membership base, with a 2025 earnings estimate of $17.08 per share, reflecting a 5.4% increase from 2024 [23][24]. - **Centene**: Revenue growth fueled by its Medicare and Medicaid businesses, with a 2025 earnings estimate of $2.00 per share, indicating an 18.5% growth from 2024 [25][26].

Key Points It's a good idea to do some portfolio rebalancing ahead of retirement. Make sure you're not too heavily invested in volatile assets. Line up steady portfolio income and reserve some cash as a backup plan. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › If you're planning to retire in 2026, you've probably begun what should be a very joyous countdown. But it's important to do the right amount of last-minute planning before your career comes to an end. One importa ...