UnitedHealth Group (UNH +1.37%) has decided to expand its footprint in the Obamacare exchanges -- from five states to at least seven so far. WellPoint (WLP +1.41%) raised its profit guidance for this year based on strong Obamacare enrollment. Molina (MOH 0.53%) requested a 7% decline in the premiums it charges when the company submitted its suggested rates to the Washington state insurance commissioner.
While the information we have is incomplete (it's still early), it looks like things may actually be going better than expected. WellPoint's aggressive push to get new members through the exchanges appears to be paying off for the company, and UnitedHealth Group executives seem to have taken notice, as the company is reportedly expanding its Obamacare exchange operations into at least Washington state and Indiana. And Molina's requested cheaper premiums helped drag down the requested average premium increase in Washington to the lowest level in seven years.
Interesting news for consumers (especially the Molina news in Washington!), but what about investors? What are the benefits to expanding into more Obamacare exchanges in year two of the law's full implementation?
In this video, from Market Checkup, the Motley Fool's health care-focused investing show, health care analysts Michael Douglass and David Williamson discuss the latest Obamacare news and what investors should watch for in the coming weeks as more information -- including more complete premium rate increase data -- becomes available.
