Moody’s: Health insurers off to strong financial start in 2019—but political uncertainties loom

Health insurers’ financial performance is on a continuing upward trend, but political and legal risks could pose a threat to that growth, according to a new report.

Moody’s Investors Services issued an analysis of first-quarter performance from the largest U.S. insurers and found strong membership growth and effective work to control costs and pricing. Membership figures were bolstered especially by Medicare Advantage enrollment, according to the report, where there was 14% growth year over year and 9.5% growth compared to the prior quarter.

This isn’t necessarily new for the sector, Dean Ungar, senior analyst and one of the report’s...