Voluntary Benefits

Shares of Humana Inc. are poised to rebound after a rough performance in 2012, thanks in part to growth prospects for the health insurer's Medicare Advantage plans, according to a Bernstein Research analyst.

Shares of Genworth Financial Inc. fell after a Credit Suisse analyst on Tuesday downgraded the stock, saying a recent rally ignores the risks that Genworth faces in its life insurance businesses, particularly in long-term care insurance.

WageWorks Inc., which provides health, commuter and other employee benefits, said Monday that it bought Benefit Concepts Inc. in a deal that strengthens its position in the consumer-directed benefits market.

WellPoint Inc. said Tuesday it expects 2012 adjusted earnings at the high end or slightly above a range that the health insurer reaffirmed last month.

More and more employers this year will begin offering voluntary employee benefits to their workers in preparation for the real game changer in 2014the further implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

While poised to grow its Medicaid business, WellPoint will have to fight to retain a big chunk of customers, according to Credit Suisse, after the debut of government-run insurance exchanges next year that help people shop for coverage.