INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Health insurer Aetna Inc. said Wednesday its second-quarter net income rose 9 percent in part because it benefited from a continued slowdown in the use of health care services by its members. The company also raised its full-year earnings forecast.
Health care utilization has grown at a slower clip than insurers and industry watchers have expected for the past several quarters, and that has helped managed care companies turn in strong performances. Analysts mainly cite the economy as a possible reason for the trend. They say consumers tend to scale back their use of care after a recession by putting off elective procedures or skipping doctor visits.
Many analysts expect this trend to continue at least into next year, but insurers expect utilization rates to pick up later this year.
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