Centene Reports $1 Billion Profit As Health Insurer’s Costs Ease

Centene posted second-quarter net income of $1.09 billion, reversing a loss from a year earlier.

Medical cost pressures eased and ACA marketplace enrollment fell, improving the insurer’s health benefits ratio.

Centene raised its full-year earnings guidance while continuing efforts to control costs.

The results signal improving insurer profitability and may affect access to subsidized coverage.