Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

HUM's surging premiums, Medicare Advantage growth and CenterWell expansion bolster its prospects, but rising benefit costs and expenses pose challenges.

Insurers are abandoning hundreds of counties, and the replacement plans waiting for displaced seniors come with a catch that a lower monthly premium alone will not reveal.

Retirement planning gets harder when healthcare coverage becomes a moving target. A familiar insurance card can mean access to trusted doctors, predictable prescription costs, and benefits that help stretch a fixed income. When that coverage disappears, replacing it involves more than finding another monthly premium.

That disruption is approaching for nearly 3.2 million Medicare Advantage enrollees. Insurers are discontinuing plans while the average beneficiary’s replacement choices shrink. For investors, the same retreat carries a different message: insurers are prioritizing profitability over growth. The opportunity lies in identifying which companies can turn fewer commitments into stronger earnings without surrendering their competitive position.

Medicare Advantage Choices Are Shrinking CNN’s Oct. 15 report, citing Jared Strock of Medicare Market Insights and his analysis of government data, puts the affected population at nearly 3.2 million, versus 2.9 million for 2026 and 2 million for 2025. That is a 60% increase over two years.

Seniors losing a plan retain their Medicare eligibility. But they may need to replace coverage while navigating different provider networks, prescription formularies, and out-of-pocket costs.

KFF’s analysis of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) plan files shows how the menu is narrowing:

Coverage Measure 2026 2027 Average Available Advantage Plans With Drug Coverage 32 28 Counties Without Such Plans for General Enrollment 123 193 Medicare Beneficiaries Living in Those Counties 399,000 638,000 Source: KFF’s 2027 plan-availability analyses.

Average choices decline 12.5%, while the number of counties without generally available Medicare Advantage prescription-drug plans increases 57%. The 638,000 figure includes all Medicare beneficiaries in those counties, not just people losing Advantage coverage.

Granted, 28 options still provide plenty of choice in many communities. But national averages offer little comfort when the plan covering your doctors exits your county.

Giant insurers are pulling out of hundreds of counties to protect profits, leaving millions of seniors to face a shrinking landscape and surging out-of-pocket costs. A Lower Premium Can Conceal Higher Costs The disappearing plans also include PPOs, which generally offer more flexibility to receive out-of-network care, according to CNN. Replacing one with an HMO can change how seniors access treatment.

The squeeze extends beyond availability. Strock’s analysis, reported by CNN, puts the average enrollment-weighted in-network medical spending limit at $6,603 for 2027, up 9%. About 70% of enrollees face an increase. The average prescription-drug deductible rises 23% to $509.

These figures describe different expenses. The medical limit concerns covered in-network services; the drug deductible concerns prescription coverage.

Separately, the 2027 Part D out-of-pocket cap rises to $2,400, from $2,100. Someone reaching both years’ caps would pay another $300 for covered prescriptions.

To put that in perspective, a replacement plan with an appealing premium can still leave a retiree paying more when treatment begins. Compare the full annual cost, including prescriptions and likely medical services, before declaring a plan cheaper.

The changing economics of standalone prescription-drug coverage also belong in that comparison when considering traditional Medicare.

Insurers Are Trading Reach for Returns KFF identifies a clear difference between the two largest Medicare Advantage insurers:

Source: KFF; generally available Advantage prescription-drug plans.

UnitedHealth’s net withdrawal spans 219 counties, versus Humana’s 58. Both are pulling back, but UnitedHealth’s geographic contraction is broader.

CNN also identifies CVS Health (NYSE:CVS), through Aetna, among insurers reducing offerings as higher medical prices and greater healthcare usage pressure profitability.

The changing Medicare Advantage star ratings add another variable because quality scores influence future bonus payments. Geographic discipline and reimbursement strength must work together.

Key Takeaway Seniors should compare replacements before December 7 for coverage beginning January 1, Medicare.gov’s annual enrollment deadline. Confirm doctors, prescriptions, and total costs. Those whose plans withdraw may also qualify for Medigap purchase protections when returning to traditional Medicare, according to KFF.

Investors should keep these insurers on a watchlist and demand evidence of margin recovery before buying the turnaround. Shrinking enrollment can accompany healthier earnings, but exiting counties is management’s opening move. Improving profits must provide the follow-through.

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When Humana sends a plan-exit notice this fall, most members will scan it for a replacement option and move on. But buried in that letter is a federal right with an expiration date that could matter far more than any…

A Humana (NYSE:HUM | HUM Price Prediction) PPO member opens her mail this fall and finds two pieces of information in one envelope. Her plan will not return in 2027, but Humana still has other Advantage options in many markets, including HMOs. She picked a PPO for more freedom to see specialists and use doctors outside a tight network. Another Humana plan may look like continuity, but it may not preserve what she was paying for.

Humana is dropping 37 PPO plans for 2027 while adding some HMOs and special needs plans as it works to rebuild its Medicare Advantage margins. The insurer has said it expects to recapture about 40% of members affected by its broader plan exits in other Humana plans. But for someone whose plan is actually ending, the more valuable item in the envelope may be a federal right many members never use: a short window to buy Medigap without health questions.

Why Her Plan Ending Unlocks Medigap With No Health Questions Once your first Medigap open enrollment period has passed, insurance companies in most states can review your medical history and deny you or charge you more. If she has diabetes, a heart condition or a past cancer diagnosis, she could be locked out of Original Medicare plus Medigap for good.

Federal guaranteed-issue rules lift that underwriting when a Medicare Advantage plan is not renewed or leaves her service area. She can return to Original Medicare and buy certain standardized Medigap plans, including Plan G. The insurance companies must sell her the policy, cannot bar her preexisting conditions and cannot charge her more because of her health. For an involuntary plan ending, the guaranteed-issue window begins when she receives the termination notice and runs through 63 days after her Advantage coverage ends.

A routine plan change does not trigger this right. An ordinary Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) that raises copays, shrinks a network or moves a drug to a higher level leaves underwriting in place. So does leaving a PPO that is still being offered for an HMO she happens to like better, and some states add broader Medigap protections on top of the federal rules, so she should check her own state’s rules too.

Humana’s HMO Offer and Her Medigap Right Are Separate Decisions Humana will try to keep members by directing them into another Humana plan, but she is free to ignore that offer and compare the two options on her own terms:

Replacement HMO: typically a tighter network, possible specialist-referral rules, prior authorization for many services and a drug formulary that may differ from her current one. Its medical out-of-pocket maximum leaves out Part D drug costs, and most routine out-of-network care is not covered. Original Medicare with Medigap and Part D: any doctor or hospital nationwide that accepts Medicare, with no referrals. With Plan G, she pays the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026) and then close to nothing for covered services. She also pays a Medigap premium and a Part D premium every month. She pays the Part B premium on either path ($202.90 a month in 2026). So the real choice comes down to a higher fixed monthly cost for open access versus lower premiums with network limits and prior authorization. In a healthy year, the HMO may cost less in premiums. In a year with a new diagnosis, its network and approval rules matter much more, and that is exactly why she chose a PPO in the first place.

If she has a chronic condition, sees several specialists or spends part of the year in another state, the Medigap window is worth pricing before it disappears. If she is healthy, all of her doctors are in the HMO’s network and her budget is tight, the HMO may still work. If she chooses the HMO and wants Original Medicare with Medigap later, however, she may face medical underwriting again unless another guaranteed right or state protection applies.

Three Ways She Could Lose the Guarantee by Accident Misreading the letter. She should confirm that the notice says her plan is ending or not renewing, not simply changing benefits for 2027. If the language is unclear, she should call Humana or her State Health Insurance Assistance Program before counting on the Medigap right. Applying too late. She should apply for Medigap while the window is open and keep the termination notice, because an insurance company can ask for proof that she qualifies. Applying early in the window lets her Medigap coverage start the day after her Advantage plan ends. Forgetting drug coverage. Medigap does not cover prescription drugs. If she returns to Original Medicare, she needs to enroll in a standalone Part D plan on her own during this fall’s open enrollment. Going 63 days or more without creditable drug coverage can bring a Part D late enrollment penalty. The 2026 rules and figures here come from CMS. Medicare has not yet published 2027 premiums and deductibles, so she should budget with this year’s numbers as a baseline. Premiums are only part of the picture: income-based surcharges and coverage gaps can add thousands a year on top, and we mapped out the full set in a free guide on Medicare’s hidden bills.

What to Decide Before the Window Closes The most valuable line in a plan-exit letter is the one that gives her a temporary right to buy Medigap without health questions. She can reconsider Medicare Advantage during a future enrollment period if a plan she wants is available. This Medigap guarantee is the option with an expiration date. Before she accepts the replacement Humana offers, she should price a Plan G policy and a Part D plan, list her doctors and prescriptions, and decide which setup she wants to rely on if she has a bad health year.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

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Shareholders should contact the firm immediately as there may be limited time to enforce your rights. 

, /PRNewswire/ -- Halper Sadeh LLC, an investor rights law firm, is investigating whether certain officers and directors of Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) breached their fiduciary duties to shareholders.

If you currently own Humana stock and are a long-term shareholder, you may be able to seek corporate governance reforms, the return of funds back to the company, a court-approved financial incentive award, or other relief and benefits. Please click here to learn more about your legal rights and options or contact Daniel Sadeh or Zachary Halper at (212) 763-0060 or [email protected] or [email protected].

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LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) today announced it has entered into a new joint venture agreement with funds and accounts managed by HPS Investment Partners, a part of BlackRock (“BlackRock”), to manage and operate an existing network of nearly 150 CenterWell Senior Primary Care clinics that currently sit within joint ventures owned by funds affiliated with WCAS and CenterWell. The new joint venture, majority owned by BlackRock and minority owned by CenterWell, will rep.

Humana (HUM) saw its shares surge in the last session with trading volume being higher than average. The latest trend in earnings estimate revisions may not translate into further price increase in the near term.

Key Takeaways Humana's 2027 ratings put 95% of Medicare Advantage members in four-star or better plans; 42% at 4.5 stars.Humana addressed 663,000 more care opportunities, while 534,000 additional members had preventive visits.The higher ratings could lift HUM's 2028 quality bonuses, helping fund plan benefits and support margins.
Humana Inc. (HUM - Free Report) recently said that its Medicare Advantage plans have made a sharp comeback in federal quality ratings for 2027. Under the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) five-star system, 95% of its members are now enrolled in plans rated at least four stars, while 42% are in plans earning 4.5 stars.

The insurer secured six contracts with 4.5 stars and 12 with four stars, bringing its total of highly rated contracts to 18, up 11 from last year. Its standalone prescription drug plan also received 4.5 stars. Humana links this progress to better care coordination, stronger member engagement and wider access to preventive healthcare services across markets.

Medicare's star ratings assess how well insurers deliver care, serve members and support their health. They also shape consumers' choices during annual enrollment, giving Humana a stronger selling point against rivals. Beyond ratings, the results show tangible changes in care: 663,000 more care opportunities were addressed, and another 534,000 members completed annual preventive visits.

Outreach led to 28,000 overdue mammograms, uncovering 600 previously undetected breast cancers. Separately, 93,000 colorectal screenings identified 100 precancerous or cancer cases. These gains suggest Humana is reaching patients earlier, potentially avoiding more serious health problems later while keeping treatment options open.

The improved 2027 Star Ratings are expected to strengthen Humana's quality bonus payment prospects in 2028, potentially supporting revenues and profitability. With more members covered by four-star or better contracts, Humana stands to earn higher bonus payments and retain more funding for plan benefits. That could support pricing, customer retention and margins.

HUM also reaffirmed its 2026 adjusted earnings outlook of at least $9 per share and said some 2028 gains may fund one-time investments and shareholder returns.

HUM’s Price PerformanceHumana’s shares have gained 51.1% year to date compared with the 15.3% rise of the industry it belongs to.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Zacks Rank & Stocks to ConsiderHumana currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Enhancing the array of healthcare options, some better promising stocks in the broader Medical sector include Brookdale Senior Living Inc. (BKD - Free Report) , UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH - Free Report) and Aveanna Healthcare Holdings Inc. (AVAH - Free Report) . While Brookdale Senior Living currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), UnitedHealth and Aveanna Healthcare carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Brookdale Senior Living’s 2026 bottom line suggests 105.4% year-over-year improvement. BKD has witnessed one upward estimate revision over the past 60 days against no movement in the opposite direction.

The consensus estimate for UnitedHealth’s full-year 2026 earnings indicates a 21.4% year-over-year increase. UNH’s earnings beat estimates in each of the past four quarters, with an average surprise of 12.1%. The consensus mark for 2026 revenues is pegged at $446.78 billion.

The consensus mark for Aveanna Healthcare’s 2026 full-year earnings implies a 36.7% jump from the year-ago reported figure. AVAH’s earnings beat estimates in each of the past four quarters, with an average surprise of 49.3%. The consensus mark for its current-year revenues is pegged at $2.69 billion, which indicates a 10.6% year-over-year increase.

A $0 premium plan sounds like a win until the number that actually pads your Social Security deposit quietly disappears. Here is what Humana changed for 2027 and what a retired person on a fixed income stands to lose each month without realizing it.

Key Takeaways UNH's diversified Optum platform and improving Medicare Advantage profitability support sustainable growth.HUM's Medicare Advantage membership grew 23.8%, but rising benefit costs pressured margins and profitability.UNH plans to invest nearly $1.5B in AI initiatives in 2026 to improve efficiency and streamline operations. The U.S. healthcare industry continues to navigate rising medical costs, changing Medicare Advantage dynamics and evolving demand for healthcare services. These factors are shaping the growth prospects and profitability of managed care companies, making cost management, membership trends and operational efficiency important considerations when assessing their long-term performance.

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH - Free Report) and Humana Inc. (HUM - Free Report) are major players in the U.S. health insurance market, with significant exposure to government-sponsored healthcare programs, particularly Medicare Advantage. However, their business profiles differ. UnitedHealth combines its insurance operations with Optum’s healthcare services, pharmacy care and technology businesses, while Humana has a stronger concentration in health insurance, particularly Medicare-focused coverage, alongside its CenterWell healthcare services platform. These differences influence their revenue mix, exposure to medical cost pressures and approaches to growth.

Let’s dive deep and closely compare the fundamentals of the two stocks to determine which one is a better investment now.

The Case for UNHUnitedHealth’s broad healthcare platform provides several avenues for growth through UnitedHealthcare and Optum. UnitedHealthcare serves employer-sponsored, individual, Medicare and Medicaid members, while Optum provides health services, pharmacy benefits and technology solutions. In the second quarter of 2026, UnitedHealthcare generated $86 billion in revenues, while Optum supported more than 120 million consumers. This combination gives UNH exposure to both health coverage and services that support care delivery.

UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare Advantage business remains a central driver of its performance. In the second quarter of 2026, UNH's consolidated medical care ratio improved 270 basis points year over year to 86.7%, benefiting from pricing discipline, benefit design changes, a favorable membership mix, medical cost management initiatives and net favorable prior period medical development. UNH expects Medicare Advantage enrollment to decline by approximately 1.1 million members in 2026, while Medicare margins are projected to exceed 3%. Continued underwriting discipline and selective market participation in 2027 could support more consistent earnings and improve the sustainability of its insurance business. The company is also working to improve its commercial and Medicaid businesses, where cost pressures remain a concern.

OptumHealth is working to strengthen its integrated value-based care model, with initiatives aimed at improving care coordination and reducing costly hospital visits. Enhanced support during care transitions has lowered hospitalizations by approximately 10% in the Western and Southern regions where the program was implemented. Expanding home-based care and improving clinical workflows could further support care quality and cost efficiency. Optum Rx is moving toward more transparent, fee-based arrangements and expects more than 95% of its clients to be on 100% manufacturer rebate pass-through by the end of 2026.

Technology-led modernization is becoming an important part of UnitedHealth's strategy to simplify healthcare operations. The company plans to invest nearly $1.5 billion in AI-related initiatives in 2026 to streamline administrative processes, improve customer experiences and boost productivity. UnitedHealthcare plans to eliminate 30% of prior authorization volume and nearly two-thirds of pediatric prior authorization requirements by the end of 2026. Meanwhile, Optum Insight is developing AI-enabled solutions for clinical documentation, coding and administrative workflows. These initiatives could help streamline operations, improve service efficiency and create additional revenue opportunities through healthcare technology solutions. In the second quarter of 2026, UNH’s total operating costs declined 2.3% year over year.

Financially, UNH is in a solid position. It ended the second quarter of 2026 with $31.5 billion in cash and short-term investments, sufficient to cover its short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt, which stand at $3.8 billion. Its total debt-to-capital of 41.2% is below HUM’s 43.1% and the industry’s 41.5%. In the first half of 2026, the company paid dividends worth $4.1 billion. UNH repurchased shares worth $4 billion through mid-July 2026.

The Case for HUMHumana maintains a significant presence in the U.S. managed healthcare market, supported by its established Medicare Advantage franchise and expanding healthcare services operations. Its broad membership base, growing CenterWell platform and increasing Medicaid footprint provide multiple avenues for business expansion.

Humana's expanding Medicare Advantage membership offers considerable scope for revenue growth. In the second quarter of 2026, HUM’s total Medicare Advantage memberships grew 23.8% year over year. The company expects individual Medicare Advantage membership to grow approximately 25% in 2026, supported by new sales and improved retention. Humana is also working to improve its Medicare Advantage margins through pricing discipline, benefit adjustments and a more selective approach to plan offerings for 2027.

CenterWell is emerging as a key growth engine as Humana expands its value-based care capabilities. Its CenterWell Primary Care business served approximately 622,000 patients at June-end, reflecting 26.7% growth from December 2025. Acquisitions, including MaxHealth, and expansion across physician networks are widening its reach. HUM is also strengthening its Medicaid presence, with membership increasing by approximately 93,000 in the first half of 2026 and a new statewide Illinois contract scheduled to begin in January 2027. These initiatives could diversify revenues and support earnings growth.

As of June 30, 2026, the company had cash and cash equivalents of $6.9 billion, with short-term debt of $2.3 billion, which implies a solid capital position. Humana has been returning excess capital to its shareholders in the past several years. The company repurchased shares worth approximately $108 million and paid dividends of $214 million during the first six months of 2026. However, its dividend yield of 0.9% is below UNH’s 2.5%.

Rising healthcare expenses remain a concern for Humana's profitability. In the second quarter of 2026, consolidated operating expenses increased 26.3% year over year. Meanwhile, the Insurance segment's benefit ratio deteriorated 130 basis points year over year to 91.2%, primarily due to the higher benefit costs associated with new Medicare Advantage members and Star Ratings-related revenue pressure. With the full-year benefit ratio projected to be 92.75%, with a variability margin of plus or minus 25 basis points, elevated healthcare expenses could continue to weigh on margins despite ongoing cost-control initiatives.

Price Performance ComparisonOver the past year, HUM’s shares have outperformed UNH, the industry and the S&P 500.

Price Performance – UNH, HUM, Industry & S&P 500
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

How Do Estimates Compare for UNH & HUM?The Zacks Consensus Estimate favors UNH at this stage. The consensus estimate for UNH’s 2026 earnings is pinned at $19.85 per share, indicating a 21.4% increase from a year ago. Over the past 60 days, the earnings estimate has increased by 14 cents. Meanwhile, the consensus estimate for revenues suggests a 0.2% decline. UNH beat earnings estimates in each of the past four quarters, with an average surprise of 12.1%.

On the other hand, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for HUM’s 2026 revenues indicates 24.3% year-over-year growth, but the consensus estimate for HUM’s 2026 earnings is pinned at $9.12 per share, signaling a massive 46.8% decline. The earnings estimate remained stable over the past 60 days. HUM beat earnings estimates in each of the past four quarters, with an average surprise of 9.6%.

Valuation: UNH vs. HUMFrom a valuation standpoint, both stocks trade above the industry average, but HUM carries the higher forward earnings multiple. UNH trades at 16.91X forward 12-month earnings, compared with 27.79X for HUM and 15.15X for the industry. This gives UNH a relative valuation advantage.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Price TargetUNH currently trades below its average analyst price target of $481.52, implying an attractive 28.1% potential upside from current levels. Meanwhile, HUM trades below its average analyst price target of $427.09, implying a 7.7% potential upside from current levels.

ConclusionBoth UnitedHealth and Humana have established positions in the managed healthcare market, supported by their extensive membership bases and expanding healthcare services capabilities. Humana benefits from strong Medicare Advantage membership growth and CenterWell's expanding operations. However, elevated medical costs and margin pressures remain concerns. Meanwhile, UnitedHealth's diversified business model, improving Medicare Advantage profitability, growing Optum platform and financial flexibility provide a more balanced foundation for sustainable growth.

UnitedHealth's improving business fundamentals and broader growth opportunities make it the more compelling investment choice at present. UNH currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), while Humana has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Humana shares are soaring after the health insurer said it received improved star ratings for a number of its Medicare Advantage plans.

A screen displays the logo and trading information for Humana on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., December 6, 2023. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

CompaniesOct 9 (Reuters) - Humana's (HUM.N), opens new tab shares rose 15% in premarket trading on Friday after analysts said the health insurer is the biggest beneficiary ​of the new star ratings for 2027 Medicare Advantage plans.

Humana said 95% ‌of its Medicare Advantage members will be enrolled in plans rated four stars or higher in 2027, up sharply from 20% ​in 2026, as measures of care quality and member ​experience improved.

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Analysts at J.P. Morgan said they had expected ⁠60% to 70%.

The US health department rates Medicare Advantage and ​prescription drug plans on a scale of one to five stars. ​Higher ratings lead to bonus payments from the government that amount to billions of dollars and boost plan enrollment.

Shares of health insurers Shares of health insurersAnalysts say Humana's ratings ​outshine those of larger rivals: J.P. Morgan estimates UnitedHealth's (UNH.N), opens new tab ​share of plans rated four stars or higher will fall to ‌about ⁠67% from 81% and that of CVS Health (CVS.N), opens new tab to roughly 70% from 84%.

Overall, about 71% of Medicare Advantage prescription drug plan enrollees are in contracts that will be ​rated four stars or ​higher in ⁠2027, the health department said late on Thursday.

Humana has improved in measures of drug-plan quality, health-plan quality ​and readmissions, said Evercore ISI analyst Elizabeth Anderson.

The ​improvement "reflects the ⁠importance management has placed on fixing this metric over the past year," she said.

Health insurers provide Medicare Advantage plans for ⁠adults ​aged 65 and older and ​people with disabilities, on behalf of the government.

Reporting by Christy Santhosh in Bengaluru; Editing by Sahal Muhammed

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

Stock futures are pointing to a higher open Friday as the major indexes look to lock in a week of gains; shares of AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon are falling after SpaceX took another step towards becoming a mobile carrier; Humana shares are soaring thanks to improved Medicare Advantage ratings; Delta stock is slipping after the airline missed profit estimates and cut its forecast; and consumer sentiment data is due out this morning. Here’s what you need to know today.

Stock Futures Rise, Indexes on Track For Weekly Gains
Stock futures are rising ahead of the week’s final trading session after a mixed session yesterday. Futures tracking the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq were recently up 0.4% and 0.8%, respectively, while Dow Jones Industrial Average futures added 0.1%. The Dow managed to post a slight gain yesterday, while a pullback in tech stocks drove the S&P and Nasdaq sharply lower. Through Thursday’s close, the S&P 500 has added about 0.6% this week, while the Dow has risen just 0.1% and the Nasdaq is flat. WTI crude oil futures were down 1% at $90.40 per barrel after rising yesterday amid reports that the White House has considered striking Iran again before the midterms. The yield on the 10-year Treasury was unchanged at 5.24%, after hitting multi-decade highs earlier this week. Gold futures were up 1% to $4,210 an ounce, while bitcoin traded at $83,200, up from yesterday’s low of $80,300.

AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon Shares Fall on SpaceX Mobile Spectrum News
Shares of the country’s largest telecommunications companies are slumping this morning, following an announcement from SpaceX (SPCX) last night that it has acquired a low-band spectrum portfolio that could allow it to build a traditional phone service. SpaceX said the deal “addresses one of the key remaining technical gaps that will pave the way for Starlink Mobile to become a major mobile carrier in the US.” The space, connectivity and AI company still needs to get approval from the Federal Communications Commission, but if it does SpaceX could become a mobile carrier in addition to its current Starlink satellite internet service.1 Shares of AT&T (T), Verizon (VZ), and T-Mobile (TMUS) were each down more than 7% ahead of the opening bell, while SpaceX shares rose 4%.

Humana Stock Jumps on Raised Medicare Advantage Ratings
Humana (HUM) shares are soaring after the health insurer announced that it has received improved star ratings for a number of its Medicare Advantage plans. The improved ratings, which are assigned based on dozens of metrics, put Humana in line to receive more bonus payments that are paid out based on how many plans an insurer has rated above four stars. Humana has 12 Medicare Advantage plans rated four stars for next year, with those plans containing about 95% of Humana’s Medicare Advantage customers. Humana said the new ratings put it on track to generate revenue per member per month of $160, well above the industry median of $105.23 Humana shares were up 15% premarket, on track to hit their highest level since January 2024.

Delta Stock Slips on Lackluster Earnings, Lowered Forecast
Delta Air Lines (DAL) shares are falling after the carrier reported mixed results and issued a weak forecast. Delta said this morning that it earned an adjusted $1.72 per share in the third quarter, 1 cent shy of Visible Alpha estimates, while revenue came in at $20.19 billion, topping estimates. “Demand remains strong, supported by consumers’ growing preference for experiences and travel,” Delta CEO Ed Bastian said in Friday’s release. Delta also cut its full-year forecast, now expecting adjusted EPS of $5.10 to $5.60, down from the prior range of $6.50 to $7.50. Delta’s fourth-quarter adjusted EPS forecast of $1.15 to $1.65 also largely fell short of the $1.62 analyst consensus.45 Delta shares, which entered the day up 18% for the year, were down nearly 2% in recent premarket trading.

Consumer Sentiment Reading Due Out Today
Investors will get their latest look into how consumers feel about the economy, with the preliminary October results of the University of Michigan’s monthly consumer sentiment survey set to be released at 10 a.m. ET. Surging fuel prices have driven inflation this year, further souring what was already a difficult economy for many Americans. Last month, a consumer confidence index fell to its lowest point since 2014, as Americans face high costs and a slow job market. The consumer sentiment data comes a month ahead midterm elections in which the cost of living and how voters feel about the economy are expected to be key issues that could sway results.

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A single Medicare quality ratings release sent one major insurer soaring while dragging a rival into the red, and the gap between winners and losers points to something deeper than a routine scoring update.

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Better Medicare quality scores are reordering the managed care rankings, and shares of Humana (NYSE:HUM | HUM Price Prediction) are setting the pace. Humana stock is at $447, up 15% early in the session, after the insurer disclosed improved Star Ratings for its 2027 plan year. A ratings cycle that once weighed on the company is now working in its favor, and Humana stock is adjusting to match.

Meanwhile, shares of CVS Health (NYSE:CVS) are heading the opposite way at $85, down 3%. At the same time, UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) stock is holding steady at $372.24, up 0.4%, a far smoother reading than either rival.

For a sector read, the Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (NYSEARCA:XLV) is unchanged. As a benchmark, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (NYSEARCA:SPY) is up 0.33%. With the healthcare fund flat while the broad-market fund rises, the pattern points to a adjusting among insurers rather than a sector advance.

Higher Star Ratings Spark a Humana Rally Humana stated that 95% of its Medicare Advantage members are enrolled in plans rated four stars or above by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The company also reported improvement across all measure categories, plus eleven more Medicare Advantage contracts at the four-star level or higher than a year earlier. Chief executive Jim Rechtin said the ratings reflect the work of thousands of Humana employees helping members get high-quality care.

Behind the improvement, Humana pointed to engagement work aimed at members overdue for preventive care. That outreach produced more completed mammograms, colorectal screenings and diabetic eye exams, along with earlier detection of cancers and diabetes-related eye disease, according to the company. Those clinical gains feed directly into the quality measures CMS scores, which is why Humana’s operating work and its ratings outcome tend to move together.

Why One Ratings Release Splits Three Insurers Humana offers Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans alongside CenterWell, its healthcare services arm, so a ratings cycle touches a large share of what the company sells. CVS Health and UnitedHealth each carry insurance alongside sizable pharmacy and care-delivery operations, which is why one ratings release reaches the three differently. For Humana, quality scores sit near the core of the business; for the two diversified rivals, those ratings are one input among many.

A slide in CVS Health shares while Humana stock rallies stands out, since a ratings release is read against each insurer’s own book, and the gap between the two moves is wide, with Humana stock up by double digits and CVS Health shares in the red. Each insurer’s starting ratings mix, plan footprint and membership base shape how a release like this one lands.

What to Watch Next The bull case for Humana rests on better ratings arriving as the annual election period opens, which is when plan selection is decided. Stronger scores can help Humana’s plans stand out to seniors comparing coverage during that window. Shareholders can see if that edge shows up in the company’s enrollment trends.

However, Star Ratings reset every year, so Humana’s improvement has to hold for the benefit to last. A double-digit jump on a single disclosure also pulls some of that hoped-for durability into Humana stock right away. Traders may want to keep an eye on whether CVS stock and UnitedHealth stock find their footing as the ratings news settles.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

Improving Medicare Advantage ratings isn't easy. Stars are based on 40-some criteria that encompass patient experience surveys and a range of care metrics.

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) and the University of Louisville today announced the publication of a new economic impact report examining Humana's contributions across the state. The analysis, authored by University of Louisville applied economist Thomas E. Lambert, PhD, found that Humana's operations generated nearly $20 billion in economic activity across Kentucky in 2025, supporting jobs, businesses and communities throughout the Commonwealth. The report, The Econo.

SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BlueWind Medical, a leader in Implantable Tibial Neuromodulation (ITNM) and developer of the Revi® System, a patient-centric solution for urgency urinary incontinence (UUI), today announced that Humana will provide coverage for implantable tibial neuromodulation therapy for the treatment of UUI, including the Revi System, effective October 1, 2026.Humana is the second-largest Medicare Advantage organization in the U.S., with approximately 11 million enrollees in.

Key Takeaways UnitedHealth will discontinue MA plans covering about 390,000 members in 2027 amid cost pressure.UnitedHealth is exiting locations with more PPO plans while shifting toward narrower-network offerings.UnitedHealth plans nearly $1.5 billion in AI initiatives in 2026 to boost productivity and cut admin burden. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH - Free Report) is scaling back parts of its Medicare Advantage (MA) business for 2027 as elevated medical costs and utilization continue to pressure profitability. Per Bloomberg, UnitedHealthcare will discontinue plans covering about 390,000 members next year. The move reflects a more selective approach as the insurer focuses on improving the economics of its Medicare business.

The retrenchment is part of a broader industry reset, with insurers placing greater emphasis on plan-level profitability rather than maximizing enrollment. Reuters reported that UnitedHealthcare plans to exit locations where it has a higher concentration of preferred provider organization (PPO) plans, which offer broader out-of-network access but can carry higher costs.

For UNH, reducing exposure to less profitable plans could strengthen returns in Medicare Advantage as medical cost trends remain elevated. Beyond portfolio changes, UNH plans to invest nearly $1.5 billion in AI-related initiatives in 2026, aiming to improve productivity and reduce administrative burden. The company is also shifting toward narrower-network offerings. UnitedHealthcare said that 66% of members will have access to both health maintenance organization (HMO) and PPO plans in 2027, compared with 70% in 2026, according to Reuters.

Still, the strategy comes with a membership trade-off, as some displaced members could move to competitors instead of remaining within UnitedHealthcare. However, prioritizing sustainable margins over membership growth could support UNH’s earnings recovery. With the MA market facing persistent cost and reimbursement challenges, tighter plan selection could help the company build a healthier membership mix and improve Medicare Advantage profitability while preserving exposure to the market’s long-term growth opportunity.

How Are Competitors Faring?Some of UNH’s major competitors in the healthcare service provider space are Humana Inc. (HUM - Free Report) and Centene Corporation (CNC - Free Report) .

Humana is also pruning its Medicare Advantage portfolio for 2027, with exits expected to affect roughly 600,000 members. The insurer is prioritizing stronger-performing plans and value-based care exposure, aiming to protect profitability while redirecting affected members toward other HUM plans.

Centene is taking a selective approach to Medicare Advantage for 2027. Per Becker’s Payer Issues, CNC’s Wellcare is reducing its plan lineup and exiting Hawaii, Oklahoma and Tennessee, while retaining Special Needs Plans in Nevada and Ohio as it refines strategy.

UnitedHealth’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of UNH have gained 32.2% over the past six months compared with the industry’s rise of 32.1%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, UnitedHealth trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 16.98, above the industry average of 14.93. UNH carries a Value Score of B.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for UnitedHealth’s 2026 earnings is pegged at $19.85 per share, implying 21.4% growth from the year-ago period.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

UNH stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Did Humana Inc. Insiders Breach their Fiduciary Duties to Shareholders?PR Newswire

NEW YORK, Sept. 28, 2026

Shareholders are encouraged to contact the firm to discuss their rights and options at no cost or obligation. We would handle any matter on a contingent fee basis, whereby you would not be responsible for out-of-pocket payment of our legal fees or expenses.

Shareholders should contact the firm immediately as there may be limited time to enforce your rights.

, /PRNewswire/ -- Halper Sadeh LLC, an investor rights law firm, is investigating whether certain officers and directors of Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) breached their fiduciary duties to shareholders.

If you currently own Humana stock and are a long-term shareholder, you may be able to seek corporate governance reforms, the return of funds back to the company, a court-approved financial incentive award, or other relief and benefits. Please click here to learn more about your legal rights and options or contact Daniel Sadeh or Zachary Halper at (212) 763-0060 or [email protected] or [email protected].

Why Your Participation Matters:

Shareholder involvement can help improve a company's policies, practices, and oversight mechanisms to create a more transparent, accountable, and effectively managed organization, which can enhance shareholder value.

Halper Sadeh LLC represents investors all over the world who have fallen victim to securities fraud and corporate misconduct. Our attorneys have been instrumental in implementing corporate reforms and recovering millions of dollars on behalf of defrauded investors.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

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SOURCE Halper Sadeh LLP

28.9.2026 15:45

Index Dow Jones -0,54 % na 51550,63 b. S&P 500 -0,5 % na 7704,4 b. Nasdaq Composite -0,65 % na 26892,14 b.

Nový týden začal v červeném. Na trzích negativně se projevilo odmítnutí předložených podmínek příměří ze strany USA s Iránem. Futures na ropu rostou o 2 % a WTI se obchoduje za USD 94,4. Tlak nepolevuje ani na dluhopisovém trhu, kde se výnos 10ti a 30ti letých dluhopisů drží u několikaletých maxim. Treasury se splatností deseti let aktuálně nese výnos nad 5,2 %.

Z indexu S&P 500 posiluje pouze sektor energií a realit.  Z indexu Dow Jones významně klesají akcie Boeing (- 4,9 %) a Salesforce (- 4,2 %). Nejlepší akcií indexu je Nvidia (3,25 %), která navyšuje program zpětného odkupu akcií o USD 150 mld. na USD 235 mld.

PepsiCo obdržela snížené investiční doporučení na stupni Hold od Deutsche Bank s cílovou cenou USD 138. Důvodem snížení je skepse analytického domu z obnovení růstu v Severní Americe.

Index S&P 500 -0,5 % na 7704,4 b. Nejsilnější sektory S&P Změna Nejslabší sektory S&P Změna Energie +0,8 % Zbytná spotřeba -1,3 % Reality +0,1 % Komunikační služby -1,3 % Zdravotní péče +0 % Základní materiály -1,1 % Nejsilnější akcie S&P Změna Nejslabší akcie S&P Změna NVIDIA Corp (NVDA) +3,1 % Bloom Energy Corp (BE) -7,2 % CF Industries Holdings (CF) +2,2 % QUALCOMM (QCOM) -6,9 % Universal Health Services (UHS) +2,2 % DoorDash (DASH) -5,7 % Humana (HUM) +2,1 % ServiceNow (NOW) -5,3 % Casey's General Stores (CASY) +2,0 % Intel Corp (INTC) -5,0 %
Marek Kameništiak
Fio banka, a.s.
Prohlášení

Corient Private Wealth LP lowered its stake in shares of Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM – Free Report) by 15.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 19,114 shares of the insurance provider’s stock after selling 3,454 shares during the period. Corient Private Wealth LP’s holdings in Humana were worth $7,594,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Manning & Napier Advisors LLC bought a new position in Humana in the 2nd quarter valued at $1,412,000. Sustainable Insight Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Humana by 23.7% in the fourth quarter. Sustainable Insight Capital Management LLC now owns 24,757 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $6,341,000 after purchasing an additional 4,740 shares during the period. Pzena Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Humana in the second quarter worth $1,749,014,000. Compass Financial Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Humana in the second quarter worth $1,229,000. Finally, Janus Henderson Group PLC grew its position in Humana by 8.8% during the first quarter. Janus Henderson Group PLC now owns 219,065 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $37,983,000 after buying an additional 17,629 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 92.38% of the company’s stock.

Humana Stock Down 0.0% HUM opened at $384.53 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $46.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.38, a P/E/G ratio of 2.38 and a beta of 0.74. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $388.76 and its 200-day moving average price is $310.35. The company has a current ratio of 1.74, a quick ratio of 1.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. Humana Inc. has a 12 month low of $163.11 and a 12 month high of $428.88.

Humana (NYSE:HUM – Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The insurance provider reported $7.61 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $7.27 by $0.34. Humana had a return on equity of 11.20% and a net margin of 0.88%.The company had revenue of $40.89 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $40.58 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $6.27 EPS. Humana’s quarterly revenue was up 26.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts expect that Humana Inc. will post 9 EPS for the current year. Humana Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 27th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 30th will be given a dividend of $0.885 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 30th. This represents a $3.54 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.9%. Humana’s dividend payout ratio is presently 33.49%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities analysts have weighed in on HUM shares. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded Humana from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and upped their target price for the stock from $227.00 to $502.00 in a research note on Monday, July 13th. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Humana from $344.00 to $407.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, July 31st. UBS Group initiated coverage on shares of Humana in a report on Thursday, July 30th. They set a “buy” rating for the company. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Humana from a “hold (c-)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a research report on Friday, August 14th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reissued a “neutral” rating on shares of Humana in a research note on Friday, September 4th. Fourteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fifteen have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $403.91.

Get Our Latest Analysis on HUM

About Humana (Free Report)

Humana Inc (NYSE:HUM) is a U.S.-based health insurance and health care services company focused primarily on government-sponsored programs. Its offerings include Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare prescription drug plans, Medicaid coverage and specialty insurance products, serving individuals, employers and government organizations.

Through its CenterWell business, Humana also provides senior-focused primary care, pharmacy services and home health care. These operations are designed to support coordinated care for older adults and other members with ongoing health care needs.

Humana was founded in 1961 as a nursing-home company and later expanded into hospital ownership before shifting its focus toward health insurance.

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Bank of America Corp DE acquired a new stake in shares of Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM – Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm acquired 703,615 shares of the insurance provider’s stock, valued at approximately $279,490,000. Bank of America Corp DE owned approximately 0.59% of Humana as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in HUM. Johnson Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Humana in the second quarter worth approximately $26,000. Fideuram Asset Management Ireland dac purchased a new position in shares of Humana during the fourth quarter worth approximately $27,000. Trust Co. of Vermont purchased a new position in shares of Humana during the second quarter worth approximately $28,000. Reflection Asset Management bought a new stake in shares of Humana in the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Finally, Bogart Wealth LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Humana by 192.0% in the 2nd quarter. Bogart Wealth LLC now owns 73 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 48 shares during the last quarter. 92.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Humana Trading Down 3.1% NYSE:HUM opened at $384.46 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $46.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.37, a P/E/G ratio of 2.45 and a beta of 0.74. The company has a quick ratio of 1.74, a current ratio of 1.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. The company has a fifty day moving average of $389.02 and a 200 day moving average of $308.99. Humana Inc. has a 52 week low of $163.11 and a 52 week high of $428.88.

Humana (NYSE:HUM – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The insurance provider reported $7.61 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $7.27 by $0.34. Humana had a net margin of 0.88% and a return on equity of 11.20%. The business had revenue of $40.89 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $40.58 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $6.27 EPS. The company’s revenue was up 26.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts predict that Humana Inc. will post 9 earnings per share for the current year. Humana Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 27th. Investors of record on Friday, October 30th will be issued a dividend of $0.885 per share. This represents a $3.54 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 30th. Humana’s payout ratio is currently 33.49%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities analysts recently commented on HUM shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on shares of Humana from $316.00 to $393.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Monday, August 10th. Truist Financial boosted their price target on shares of Humana from $320.00 to $415.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 14th. Zacks Research lowered shares of Humana from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price objective on Humana from $246.00 to $415.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 9th. Finally, Robert W. Baird set a $390.00 price objective on Humana in a report on Thursday, July 30th. Fourteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fifteen have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Humana currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $403.91.

View Our Latest Research Report on Humana

Humana Company Profile (Free Report)

Humana Inc (NYSE:HUM) is a U.S.-based health insurance and health care services company focused primarily on government-sponsored programs. Its offerings include Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare prescription drug plans, Medicaid coverage and specialty insurance products, serving individuals, employers and government organizations.

Through its CenterWell business, Humana also provides senior-focused primary care, pharmacy services and home health care. These operations are designed to support coordinated care for older adults and other members with ongoing health care needs.

Humana was founded in 1961 as a nursing-home company and later expanded into hospital ownership before shifting its focus toward health insurance.

Featured Stories Five stocks we like better than Humana 3 Luxury Consumer Brands to Watch in a Beaten-Down Sector Jackson’s Record Quarter Powers the Bull Case Holiday Shopping Is Almost Here—And Target May Be Ready to Win Big AI Panic Hit Tech Stocks—But NVIDIA’s Growth Engine Is Intact Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HUM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM – Free Report).

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Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) today announced the results of Humana Community Day 2026, the company's annual nationwide day of service. In its third year, Humana Comm

Arizona State Retirement System boosted its position in shares of Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM – Free Report) by 5.3% in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 34,421 shares of the insurance provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 1,743 shares during the quarter. Arizona State Retirement System’s holdings in Humana were worth $13,673,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. California State Teachers Retirement System lifted its holdings in Humana by 39,982.9% during the 2nd quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 68,644,780 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $27,267,080,000 after buying an additional 68,473,523 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. purchased a new stake in Humana during the 2nd quarter worth about $4,138,160,000. Pzena Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Humana during the 2nd quarter worth about $1,749,014,000. Capital International Investors raised its position in Humana by 113.9% in the 4th quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 5,818,008 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $1,490,239,000 after purchasing an additional 3,097,571 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Humana in the 4th quarter valued at about $456,632,000. 92.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of brokerages have recently commented on HUM. Needham & Company LLC started coverage on Humana in a research report on Wednesday, May 20th. They set a “buy” rating for the company. Wolfe Research reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $450.00 price target on shares of Humana in a report on Monday, August 24th. William Blair started coverage on shares of Humana in a research report on Wednesday, May 20th. They issued an “outperform” rating on the stock. Lake Street Capital started coverage on shares of Humana in a report on Thursday, July 30th. They issued a “buy” rating on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised shares of Humana from an “underweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $249.00 to $370.00 in a research report on Tuesday, August 4th. Fourteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $403.91.

Read Our Latest Research Report on Humana Humana Stock Down 0.5% HUM stock opened at $401.06 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 1.74, a quick ratio of 1.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. Humana Inc. has a twelve month low of $163.11 and a twelve month high of $428.88. The company’s 50 day moving average is $388.61 and its two-hundred day moving average is $301.31. The stock has a market cap of $48.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.94, a PEG ratio of 2.64 and a beta of 0.74.

Humana (NYSE:HUM – Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The insurance provider reported $7.61 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $7.27 by $0.34. The business had revenue of $40.89 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $40.58 billion. Humana had a net margin of 0.88% and a return on equity of 11.20%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 26.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $6.27 EPS. Research analysts expect that Humana Inc. will post 9 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Humana Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 27th. Investors of record on Friday, October 30th will be given a $0.885 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 30th. This represents a $3.54 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.9%. Humana’s dividend payout ratio is 33.49%.

About Humana (Free Report)

Humana Inc (NYSE:HUM) is a U.S.-based health insurance and health care services company focused primarily on government-sponsored programs. Its offerings include Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare prescription drug plans, Medicaid coverage and specialty insurance products, serving individuals, employers and government organizations.

Through its CenterWell business, Humana also provides senior-focused primary care, pharmacy services and home health care. These operations are designed to support coordinated care for older adults and other members with ongoing health care needs.

Humana was founded in 1961 as a nursing-home company and later expanded into hospital ownership before shifting its focus toward health insurance.

Further Reading Five stocks we like better than Humana Qualcomm’s Data Center Bet Looks More Real After Amazon’s AI Deal GE Aerospace’s $11.75B Deal Puts Howmet Aerospace in Focus Casey’s Post-Earnings Drop May Give Investors a Better Entry Into a Quality Retailer Sovereign AI: Palantir and Nebius Cut the Cloud Cord Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HUM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM – Free Report).

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Insurers spent the summer telling Wall Street exactly which Medicare Advantage plans are disappearing on December 31. Enrolled members get a letter in October, a closing enrollment window in December, and a rare legal protection most will never realize they…

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Somewhere inside the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) sits the list of Medicare Advantage plans that will stop existing on December 31, 2026. Insurers submitted their 2027 bids in June. Wall Street analysts have dissected the implications on earnings calls all summer. The people enrolled in those plans will find out by mail.

Members of continuing plans must receive an Annual Notice of Change by September 30. Someone whose plan is disappearing receives a separate nonrenewal notice by October 2. That leaves 90 days before the coverage ends, but only 66 days before Medicare Open Enrollment closes on December 7. Humana has confirmed that its 2027 plan exits will affect roughly 600,000 members. Other carriers are also shrinking their Medicare Advantage footprints. For anyone whose plan receives a nonrenewal notice, the letter opens a rare Medigap window that is remarkably easy to waste.

What the Carriers Already Told Their Shareholders Humana (NYSE:HUM | HUM Price Prediction) said on its July 29, 2026 earnings call that 2027 plan exits will affect “approximately 600,000 members” and that “the majority of the plan exits were in plans with three and a half or lower ratings.” CFO Celeste Mellet described the strategy as cutting off “the lower tail of profitability.”

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) told analysts on July 16, 2026 it expects “full-year Medicare Advantage enrollment to decline by approximately 1.1 million” and previewed “selective changes in market participation” for 2027. Press reporting has named 109 counties UnitedHealthcare is exiting.

Elevance Health (NYSE:ELV) already ran its playbook: Medicare Advantage membership fell 15.9% year over year in Q2. CFO Mark Kaye told investors the 2027 bids “placed an emphasis on plans where we can deliver sustainable value for seniors, particularly dual eligible members.” Plans that did not clear that bar were not refiled.

Centene (NYSE:CNC) is doing the same in miniature. CEO Sarah London said the plan is to “further simplify our Medicare Advantage footprint focusing our benefits increasingly on the duals population.”

The Door That Usually Stays Closed When an Advantage plan does not renew, Medicare opens a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) from December 8, 2026, through February 28, 2027. The termination also gives members who return to Original Medicare a guaranteed-issue right to buy certain Medigap policies.

That protection begins 60 days before the existing coverage ends and continues for 63 days afterward. During the window, a Medigap insurer cannot deny coverage or charge more because of the applicant’s health history. For someone well past the initial six-month Medigap enrollment period, that is a door that may have been closed for years.

The catch is the destination, not which enrollment period the member uses. Someone who chooses another Advantage plan is not exercising the Medigap right because they are not returning to Original Medicare. They should not assume they can reconsider later and recover the same federal protection.

A $0 Premium Is Only Half the Math The standard $202.90 Part B premium follows a member into either Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage. The added cost of returning to Original Medicare is a Medigap premium—perhaps $150 to $250 monthly, depending on the applicant and location—plus a standalone Part D plan.

In return, Plan G covers most Part A and Part B cost-sharing after the $283 Part B deductible. A $0-premium Advantage plan costs less upfront, but its in-network out-of-pocket maximum can reach $9,250 in 2026, alongside network restrictions and prior authorization.

The real question is which structure the member can afford during a bad medical year, especially if health later makes Medigap unavailable. Premium math is only half the picture either way: IRMAA surcharges and coverage gaps can quietly add thousands a year, which is why we mapped the full set of Medicare traps in a free guide here.

What to Do Sooner Than Later The notice creates a short period in which both coverage systems are genuinely available, so three details deserve attention:

Open and save the nonrenewal notice. It documents the plan termination and the guaranteed-issue event. Price Original Medicare, Medigap and Part D together before selecting another Advantage plan. Standardized Medigap coverage can carry sharply different premiums across insurers. Compare any replacement Advantage plan’s doctors, drug formulary, authorization rules and out-of-pocket maximum. Ask the broker to price both paths before recommending either one. The insurer decided which plan disappears. For a brief window, the member gets an unusually clean choice about what comes next and health history does not get a vote.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

A retirement community's top health provider quietly told the government it had been overbilling Medicare for years, then filed for bankruptcy before the consequences arrived. What happened next reshaped who owns the clinics, who absorbs the loss, and what federal…

The Justice Department’s late August 2026 announcement of a $541.5 million settlement with The Villages Health was framed around the coding period, but the sharpest number in the record came from the company’s own file, according to Healthcare Dive. According to Healthcare Dive, by 2024 about half of the primary care provider’s patient diagnosis codes were unsupported, based on an outside consultant’s review. The provider serves the largest retirement community in the United States. Its coding book, by that measure, had come untethered from its patients’ actual medical conditions.

What the Coding Allegedly Was The U.S. Department of Justice alleges that from 2020 to 2024, the company submitted false diagnosis codes for Medicare Advantage patients to increase its reimbursement in the privatized Medicare program. Per the settlement, the company altered patient medical records and inserted additional diagnosis codes, in some cases years after the visit occurred. Unsupported codes included severe obesity, blood defects and immunodeficiency, submitted to Humana (NYSE:HUM | HUM Price Prediction), UnitedHealthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida.

Medicare Advantage plans receive a fixed monthly payment per enrollee, adjusted by that person’s diagnoses. A sicker-looking chart produces a larger check. That is the incentive upcoding exploits. The claims resolved are allegations, and there has been no determination of liability.

Timeline: Self-Report to Sale Per Healthcare Dive, The Villages Health identified and notified the government of its overbilling at the end of 2024, sizing its own bill. It then filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the summer of 2025. Humana’s CenterWell division agreed to acquire the operating business in July 2025, according to Healthcare Dive. That stalking-horse bid set off an auction. A bankruptcy court approved the winning bid in the fall of 2025, with the purchase price rising to $68 million, and the deal closed in late 2025, according to Healthcare Dive. CenterWell added eight primary care centers and two specialty care centers to its network, according to Healthcare Dive. The acquisition price and the settlement figure sit on the same page: $68 million and $541.5 million.

How the Settlement Actually Works The settlement is against the pre-sale legal entity, The Villages Health System LLC, still in bankruptcy. Rather than a direct or immediate payment by CenterWell or Humana, the federal government receives an allowed, nondischargeable claim against the bankruptcy estate, to be resolved in the ongoing Chapter 11 process alongside other creditors. The insurers that received the inflated payments are returning those overpayments to the government, with those amounts credited against the total. The company received cooperation credit for self-disclosing through the federal healthcare fraud reporting portal, which is a substantial reason the figure is not higher.

A National Enforcement Pattern Emerges The same month, the Justice Department resolved two other Medicare Advantage upcoding matters: one with Monogram Health, and one with Complete Health, a value-based primary care operator active in three states. Risk-adjustment integrity has become a live enforcement lane. MedPAC has warned in its January 2026 work that upcoding continues to inflate what Medicare Advantage costs the trust fund relative to traditional Medicare.

What It Means for Patients Care in The Villages was not interrupted. The centers remain open under CenterWell ownership, staffed by the same clinicians patients already knew. The bill lands elsewhere: on the Medicare trust fund, which is to say on taxpayers and on the beneficiaries who fund and draw from it. That is the constituency this settlement was written to make whole.

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