Centene Corporation CNC recently unveiled that its subsidiary, 'Ohana Health Plan, collaborated with the nonprofit homeless services organization on Hawaii Island, Hope Services Hawaii. The tie-up was meant to introduce a residential program offering integrated clinical care exclusively to 'Ohana Health Plan members. 

The transitional housing and structured support are provided through a property, which is owned by the County of Hawaii and operates under an existing lease agreement with Hope Services. It is a six-bed facility that offers emergency shelter services to the homelessness.

The newly launched program emphasizes comprehensive, long-term clinical care and case management, with an average residency of one year. The services include providing behavioral health case management, therapy and psychosocial rehabilitation facilitated by licensed clinicians, medication management overseen by an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse and housing case management support. Additionally, a multidisciplinary team will collaborate to coordinate health and care services, ensuring a holistic approach to addressing the needs of participants.

This, in turn, is expected to provide an opportunity to recover for 'Ohana’s highest-acuity members grappling with homelessness, particularly those with behavioral health needs often compounded by complex medical conditions that cannot be adequately addressed through traditional subsidized housing. Besides, this residential program is designed to substantially decrease the occurrence of sudden and severe health issues requiring urgent medical attention. By doing so, it aims to lower the costs associated with emergency room visits and inpatient care while enhancing overall behavioral and physical health outcomes.

Benefits of the Recent Move to Centene

Introduction of such a beneficial residential program feature is expected to enhance the attractiveness of plans distributed by the Centene subsidiary, which boasts of being a leading provider of government-sponsored managed care services across Hawaii. The services are primarily offered through QUEST (Medicaid), Medicare Advantage (Wellcare) and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Wellcare). 

As a result of the latest move, 'Ohana Health Plan is likely to attract new members as well as retain existing ones within their plans. A growing customer base brings higher premiums, which usually account for a major chunk of a health insurer’s top line.

Centene’s total membership was 28.6 million as of Sept. 30, 2024, which grew 2.4% year over year. Meanwhile, premiums rose 5.3% year over year in the first nine months of 2024. In October 2024, CNC’s Michigan subsidiary, Meridian Health Plan of Michigan, was chosen by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to deliver integrated Medicare and Medicaid services to dually eligible residents via a new plan, Highly Integrated Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan. 

CNC’s Share Price Performance & Zacks Rank

Shares of Centene have risen 7.1% in the past month compared with the industry’s 7.5% growth. CNC currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Stocks to Consider

Some better-ranked stocks from the Medical space are BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. BMRN, Enovis Corporation ENOV and Medpace Holdings, Inc. MEDP. While BioMarin Pharmaceutical sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present, Enovis and Medpace carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

BioMarin Pharmaceutical’s earnings outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 28.70%. The consensus estimate for BMRN’s 2025 earnings and revenues indicates an improvement of 22.4% and 8%, respectively, from the 2024 estimates.   

The consensus estimate for BioMarin Pharmaceutical’s earnings has moved 2% north in the past 30 days. Shares of BMRN have declined 4.5% in the past month. 

Enovis’ earnings outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters and matched the mark once, the average surprise being 5.79%. The consensus estimate for ENOV’s 2025 earnings and revenues implies an improvement of 14.3% and 6.2% from the respective 2024 estimates.  

The consensus estimate for Enovis’ 2025 earnings has moved 0.6% north in the past 30 days. Shares of ENOV have inched up 0.8% in the past month.   

Medpace’s earnings outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 14.68%. The consensus estimate for MEDP’s 2025 earnings and revenues indicates an improvement of 4.1% and 4.8%, respectively, from the 2024 estimates.    

The consensus estimate for Medpace’s 2025 earnings has moved 0.8% north in the past 30 days. Shares of MEDP have declined 4.1% in the past month.

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report

BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (BMRN) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Centene Corporation (CNC) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Medpace Holdings, Inc. (MEDP) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Enovis Corporation (ENOV) : Free Stock Analysis Report

To read this article on Zacks.com click here.

Zacks Investment Research