US Health Insurers Surge on Medicare Payments Increasing 2.48%

US health insurers, including Humana (HUM), UnitedHealth Group (UNH), and CVS Health (CVS), saw their stocks rise following a Medicare Advantage payment increase. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a net average increase of 2.48% in payments for 2027, up from a previously proposed 0.9%. This adjustment is projected to add approximately $13 billion in revenue to private insurers. The higher payments are aimed at providing financial relief amid rising medical costs, with Humana shares rising 6.4%, UnitedHealth by 8.8%, and CVS by 6.6%.