Insurer Shares (UNH, CVS) Slide After Medicare Payment Rates Set to Stay Flat
From Bloomberg — Feb 3rd, 2026
US health insurers tied to Medicare Advantage stocks tumbled after the Trump administration proposed holding next year’s payments nearly flat. UnitedHealth, Humana, and CVS all dropped sharply, reflecting concern over tighter federal funding.
Spencer Perlman, health policy analyst at Veda Partners, said, “There’s a double-edged sword from getting into government business. When policy shifts, insurers have limited recourse beyond lobbying.”
CMS also plans to curb “chart review” payments, which could further reduce revenues for insurers used to billing for additional diagnoses. The proposal aims to control overpayments while keeping Medicare Advantage sustainable for seniors.
This excerpt and any accompanying media (including audio, video, or images) are shared under the principles of fair use, for informational and archival purposes only. All rights remain with the original publisher.