UnitedHealth, Centene poised for gains after 3 states expand Medicaid

Three states — Idaho, Nebraska and Utah — voted in favor of expanding Medicaid Nov. 6, a decision that could benefit health insurers who are growing their managed care businesses, according to Forbes contributor Bruce Japsen.

Approval of the measures means about 300,000 low-income people could gain healthcare coverage, according to NPR, which cites estimates from government agencies and advocacy groups in the three states.

The move could usher more Medicaid patients into privately managed health plans offered by big payers like Anthem, Centene, Molina Healthcare and UnitedHealth Group, according to Mr. Japsen. For example, UnitedHealth already administers Medicaid benefits in Nebraska and could more easily add members to its rolls.

If Idaho and Utah release more requests for proposals for private insurers to manage Medicaid members, which insurer stands to gain the most is unclear. According to the report, Centene is among the managed care plans which has stepped into several states like North Carolina to assist with its managed Medicaid business.

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