Michigan HMOs Garner Smaller Profits in 2004

HealthLeaders-InterStudy, a leading provider of managed care industry intelligence, finds that Michigan's HMOs, like many others across the country, saw smaller profits and consolidation in 2004. According to the latest issue of the Michigan Health Plan Analysis, consolidations brought the total number of HMOs operating in Michigan down to 30 from 34 just 18 months ago. And almost all commercial plans in the Motor State enjoyed a profitable year although some saw their profits soften.

"Michigan HMOs seem to be following well-worn paths in the health insurance industry," said Rick Byrne, HealthLeaders-InterStudy analyst. "The contradictory paths of net income and cash flow could signify a number of things, including an industry investing heavily in information technology. Or it could just be an example of the cyclical nature of the industry."

  Other Health Plan News in Michigan:     * The Big Three automakers are beginning to get labor concessions on      healthcare    * Health Alliance Plan and CIGNA Healthcare have a new marketing      affiliation    * Humana Inc. has become the first insurer to apply for a regional      Medicare PPO in Michigan    About HealthLeaders-InterStudy 

HealthLeaders-InterStudy, a newly formed company of Decision Resources, Inc. (http://www.decisionresources.com/), is the authoritative source for managed care data, analysis, and news. For more information, please visit both Web sites at http://www.healthleaders.com/ and http://www.interstudypublications.com/.

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  For more information, contact:     Elizabeth Marshall    Decision Resources    781-296-2563    emarshall@dresources.com 

SOURCE: Decision Resources, Inc.