this is a list from Harris direct for managed healthcare. WLP and ESRX are the only ones that I have owned before.
Aet
Amgp
Ath
cbz
Ci
Cnet
cvh
Esitz
Esrx
Fhcc
Fve
Hnt
Hum
Mme
Ohp
Phsy
Pvst
Unh
Uson
wlp
I can list the diversified or long term health care companies if you would like.
edit:
from an archived article dated in May:
BACK-BURNER ISSUES. To offset the rising medical-cost ratios, HMOs have been focusing on reducing their selling, general, and administrative costs (SG&A) as a percentage of revenues. One effort along those lines: improving computer systems to further automate paper handling. Some HMOs are also consolidating their service operations through measures such as workforce reductions.
As for the potential impact of political developments, Seligman notes that President Bush has said he would veto the patients' rights bills being passed by the Senate because damage awards would be too costly, leading to higher premiums and higher levels of uninsured. In any event, the patients' rights bill and HMO reform have been put on the back burner by Congress.
Top choices in the group? Seligman has 5-STAR (buy) rankings on WellPoint (WLP ) and UnitedHealth (UNH ). He says both companies are well-managed and should see improved EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) margins because of effective cost controls.
His other picks include Coventry (CVH ), Mid Atlantic Medical (MME ), and Oxford (OHP ), each of which is ranked 4 STARS (accumulate). |
