NU Online News Service, Feb. 7, 2005, 3:15 p.m. EST
U.S. managed care companies continue to improve profits despite flat capital levels.[@@]
Weiss Ratings Inc., Jupiter, Fla., has published data supporting that conclusion in a report on health maintenance organization performance for the first half of 2004.
The 510 HMOs included in the study increased first-half earnings to $5.8 billion, from $4.4 billion for the first half of 2003, according to Weiss.
Weiss now considers 50% of the HMOs to be financial strong. The firm is increasing ratings for 111 HMOs and lowering the ratings of only 12.
But Melissa Gannon, a Weiss analyst, says the firm still is concerned about flat capital levels and mediocre profit margins at some HMOs.
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