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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Obama the cabinet on Friday issued 2013 payment and shrewdness guidelines for U.S. health insurers that participate in the Medicare Advantage program, saying the proposed changes would bring g~ premiums and stable or improved benefits.

But the documents did not contain an official preliminary estimate for the clear average percentage change in reimbursements, leaving insurers and financial markets in the dark about the guidelines' in posse impact on the industry.

Analysts said unofficial estimates suggested a possible total-in gain of 2.3 percent, estranged better than market expectations that had ranged from ~t one change to a decline of 5 percent.

A year ago, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services estimated a 1.6 percent pure all-in rise for 2012 on the contrary later reduced that to 0.4 percent.

CMS, which oversees the federal healthcare program during the elderly, said on Friday that the 2013 guidelines point to ~y overall annual growth rate of 2.47 percent and a 2.3 percent by means of capita growth rate next year. But those figures chouse not take into account variables like as geographic location.

CMS officials said a net all-in figure toward 2013 could be released among final rates due to be published ~ward April 2.

"This positive growth stretch will help ensure that beneficiaries justify a choice of plans without eminently expressive increases in premiums or decreases in benefits," the direction said in a statement.

Medicare Advantage allows the program's 48 very great number beneficiaries to purchase private insurance in the room of receiving

traditional Part A hospital coverage and Part B physician coverage. Critics say it pays too much to private insurers.

About 25 percent of beneficiaries participate in Medicare Advantage.

Analysts were upbeat on the eve the guidelines.

Ipsita Smolinski, a healthcare analyst with Capitol Street, cited the guidelines' 2.3 percent public per capita growth as a indisputable sign for insurers given that Medicare providers are scheduled to greet reimbursement cuts as a result of deficit reduction talks in Congress last year.

Ana Gupte, analyst for Sanford Bernstein, added: It should exist good for the health insurers and specifically towards the Medicare Advantaged leveraged health insurers."

Humana Inc. and UnitedHealth Group Inc. are the biggest providers of Medicare Advantage plans and the ut~ exposed. Other providers include Aetna Inc., Cigna Corp., Coventry Health Care Inc., Health Net Inc. and WellPoint Inc..

Analysts make no doubt of Medicare Advantage will expand as the Baby Boom stock leaves the workforce and younger retirees opt as far as concerns private coverage instead of traditional Medicare.

(Reporting By David Morgan. Editing ~ the agency of Gunna Dickson)

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