Can Health Insurance Still Profit From Baby Boomers? Humana Inc (HUM), UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH)

The baby boomers are coming, meaning tens of millions of seniors will become eligible for Medicare benefits in coming years. Already a huge part of overall health-care costs, Medicare accounted for 21% of national health-care spending in 2012 and 15% of the federal budget. The government-sponsored health insurance began in the mid-1960s but has since expanded to include contracted plans from private companies, called Medicare Advantage. Insurers have flocked to the market, lured by the promise of profits from a growing senior population. But new dangers lurk around the corner.

The annual increase in Medicare spending per beneficiary has slowed as Affordable Care Act cuts begin slicing away at reimbursements tied to the program. And further cuts are pending that could affect leading Medicare players including UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:UNH), Humana Inc (NYSE:HUM) , and Universal American Corporation (NYSE:UAM).

Private players
The majority of Medicare members belong to the government plans. These plans, which receive funding primarily through payroll tax pay-ins and general revenues, cover hospital care and doctor visits. The government compensates health-care providers directly for services.

But about 25% of Medicare patients belong to Medicare Advantage plans that private insurers manage on behalf of the government. The plans still receive funding from general revenues, but beneficiary premium payments play an enhanced role.

Medicare Advantage has become a priority for several leading insurers, accounting for 65% of Humana Inc (NYSE:HUM)’s overall revenues last year and 75% of Universal American’s revenues. United Healthcare has the most Advantage members. But the company’s also less dependent as its broader Medicare & Retirement segment only accounted for 35% of revenues. CIGNA Corporation (NYSE:CI) spent $3.8 billion to acquire HealthSpring, which had over 1 million members in Advantage and prescription drug plans, or Medicare Part D.

What’s the appeal? According to a Reuters article, Advantage beneficiaries bring in about three times as much revenue as patients enrolled in standard commercial insurance. The Advantage plans also offer profit margins of 3 to 5%.

Unwelcome news last month, however, caused insurance shares to plummet.

Dis-Advantage?
Medicare Advantage insurers receive set payments per beneficiary from the government, which is then paid out to health-care providers. The payments have historically been 14% higher than the costs for government-administrated Medicare, but that gap has narrowed since the 2010 passing of the Affordable Care Act and further cuts are around the corner.