We recently published a list of 12 Best Health Insurance Stocks to Buy in 2025. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) stands against other best health insurance stocks to buy in 2025.
The health insurance sector in the US is currently experiencing significant shifts. The increasing costs of healthcare services, evolving enrollment trends, and technological advancements are some of the key trends driving change and growth in the sector. According to a report by IMARC Group, the US health insurance market was valued at $453 billion in 2024. The market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.7% during 2025-2033 to reach a value of $639 billion by the end of the forecast period.
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In January 2025, the US government proposed significantly increasing the amount that it pays to insurers who offer Medicare Advantage plans. On January 10, Reuters reported that the government has suggested new reimbursement rates for Medicare Advantage plans for 2026, which are run by private insurers. The rate changes proposed could increase payments to private insurance companies by 2.2%. This is a notable change from the 0.2% decrease last year.
The government payment rate impacts how much private insurance companies charge for monthly premiums, the types of benefits insurers offer, and how much insurers can profit. When factoring in a 2.1% risk score, the total payment increase is estimated at 4.3%, or over $21 billion. The risk score adjustment accounts for the possibility of higher payments for patients with severe health conditions.
Private health insurance companies will use the payment rate to prepare bids for contracts for Medicare Advantage plans that they will offer in 2026. Around 65 million individuals are enrolled in the government’s Medicare program which caters to people aged 65 and older or who are disabled. Over half of these individuals are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans.
Oppenheimer analyst Michael Wiederhorn wrote in a research note that this proposal is very favorable given the contentious political environment. He believes this proposal should positively affect health insurance stocks involved in this space. However, the proposed rate may be changed after feedback from insurers, other organizations, and the public. The final rate announcement is expected to be published on or before April 7, 2025.
Methodology
To compile our list of the 12 best health insurance stocks to buy in 2025, we looked for the largest health insurance companies. We also reviewed our own rankings, financial media reports, ETFs, and various online resources to compile a list of the best health insurance stocks. Next, we focused on the top 12 stocks most favored by institutional investors. Data for the hedge fund sentiment surrounding each stock was taken from Insider Monkey’s Q3 2024 database of 900 elite hedge funds. The 12 best health insurance stocks to buy in 2025 are ranked in ascending order based on the number of hedge funds holding stakes in them as of Q3 2024.
Why do we care about what hedge funds do? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).
A medical professional working at a computer, utilizing the company’s digital solutions to improve care quality for consumers.
Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 67
Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV), formerly known as Anthem, is one of the largest health insurance providers in the US. The company offers a range of services, including medical, pharmaceutical, dental, long-term care, disability, and behavioral health plans through brands like Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Wellpoint, and Carelon. Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) ranks among the best health insurance stocks to buy in 2025.
The company is committed to enhancing its market presence, which is crucial for long-term growth. Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) expanded its Affordable Care Act plans into Florida, Maryland, and Texas for the 2025 coverage year under the Wellpoint brand. Additionally, in its Medicare Advantage portfolio for 2025, the company’s plans are designed to be affordable and 90% of the plans have no monthly premium. Almost all plans offer $0 co-pays for primary care visits and provide access to additional benefits. In 2025, Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) anticipates growth driven by increased adoption of its best-in-class products and services.
Vulcan Value Partners, an investment management company, shared insights about Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) in its Q4 2024 investor letter. The letter noted that after a pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, states began to redetermine Medicaid eligibility in early 2023, which led to higher cancellations than expected. The remaining Medicaid population is older and sicker, which has resulted in higher-than-expected costs. This has caused Elevance Health, Inc.’s (NYSE:ELV) medical loss ratio to rise, resulting in lower margins. The investment management firm noted that states set Medicaid reimbursement rates using data that lags by 12 to 18 months, which means that the higher costs are not yet reflected in these rates. Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) expects that Medicaid reimbursement rates will be adjusted. Vulcan Value Partners also sees this as a short-term challenge and remains confident in the company’s long-term potential. The investment management company even added to its position in Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) during the quarter.
Overall, ELV ranks 3rd on our list of best health insurance stocks to buy in 2025. While we acknowledge the potential of health insurance companies, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than ELV but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.