** Shares of health insurers are on track for a second straight year of declines as they grapple with elevated medical costs
** UnitedHealth UNH.N, Humana HUM.N, CVS Health CVS.N and Cigna CI.N have seen high medical costs as people sought care under government-backed Medicare Advantage plans for older adults or those with disabilities
** Costs have also been higher for companies such as Centene CNC.N and Elevance ELV.N, which offer Medicaid plans, as states re-determined eligibility for low-income people, leaving behind those who require more medical services
** The S&P 500 Managed Health Care .SPLRCHMO index has fallen 10.85% YTD, with Humana being the bigger loser
** Insurers, which own pharmacy benefit management units, have also come under scrutiny for their influence over prescription drug prices
** Some health insurers may benefit from the Trump administration in 2025, however, investor focus will likely remain on costs, which are expected to remain elevated
** Uncertainty for Medicare Advantage continues in 2025 and should remain a focal point, J.P.Morgan analysts said in note earlier this month
Health insurers end 2024 in declines https://tmsnrt.rs/49YEpk1
(Reporting by Sriparna Roy in Bengaluru)
((Sriparna.Roy@thomsonreuters.com))
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