INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — WellPoint Inc. will become the second big health insurer to tell investors how it wrapped up 2011 and whether health care use remains subdued when it reports on its fourth-quarter performance Wednesday.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The Indianapolis company said last fall that it expects growth in 2012. The company won't release its earnings forecast for the new year until next month, but investors and analysts will be looking for signs that this growth forecast still holds true.
The largest health insurer based on enrollment has said growth in its Medicare Advantage business plus a push to become more efficient will help it in 2012.
Managed care companies also have been buoyed by health care use that has grown at lower-than-expected rates for the past few quarters. This trend, which may be driven by a lingering pullback on consumer spending from the recession, has helped companies consistently beat analyst expectations.
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