Healthcare Magazine September 2014 | Page 15

The health insurance industry has seen a number of changes throughout time , and with it , some challenges . Federal state legislative and regulatory reforms , demands of more price- and serviceconscious customers , shift of customer mix and uncertain economic conditions are just a few to be named . Despite these challenges , however , the industry continues to thrive .
Major players such as Cigna , Wellpoint , Humana , Health Net , UnitedHealth Group and Molina Healthcare have reported unfaltering growth in premium as well as fees and other income over the years . According to a report by the American
Association of Orthopedic Surgeons , a 14 percent increase in revenues came from these insurers on a combined basis in the first quarter of 2014 .
The health and medical insurance industry is integral to the United States economy , with health expenditures accounting for approximately 18 percent of the country ’ s annual gross domestic product , according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services . The World Health Organization has also stated that healthcare expenditure per person in the United States is the highest in the world .
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