Health Net to Hold Conference Call and Webcast to Discuss Second Quarter 2012 Earnings Results

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Health Net, Inc. (HNT) will hold its quarterly conference call to discuss second quarter 2012 earnings results on Friday, August 3, 2012, at approximately 11:00 a.m. Eastern time (8:00 a.m. Pacific time). Earnings results will be announced before the market opens on the same day.

The live conference call should be accessed at least 15 minutes prior to its start with the following numbers:

The access code for both the live conference call and replay is 96830520. A recording of the call can be heard from August 3, 2012 (12:00 noon Eastern Time / 9:00 a.m. Pacific time) through August 10, 2012 (12:00 Midnight Eastern time) by dialing one of the following replay numbers:

A live webcast and replay of the conference call also will be available at www.healthnet.com under “Investor Relations.” The conference call webcast is open to all interested parties.

Anyone listening to the company’s conference call or webcast will be presumed to have read Health Net’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, and other reports filed by Health Net from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

About Health Net

Health Net, Inc. is a publicly traded managed care organization that delivers managed health care services through health plans and government-sponsored managed care plans. Its mission is to help people be healthy, secure and comfortable. Health Net, through its subsidiaries, provides and administers health benefits to approximately 5.6 million individuals across the country through group, individual, Medicare (including the Medicare prescription drug benefit commonly referred to as “Part D”), Medicaid, U.S. Department of Defense, including TRICARE, and Veterans Affairs programs. Health Net’s behavioral health services subsidiary, Managed Health Network, Inc., provides behavioral health, substance abuse and employee assistance programs to approximately 4.9 million individuals, including Health Net’s own health plan members. Health Net’s subsidiaries also offer managed health care products related to prescription drugs, and offer managed health care product coordination for multi-region employers and administrative services for medical groups and self-funded benefits programs.

For more information on Health Net, Inc., please visit Health Net’s website at www.healthnet.com.

Cautionary Statements

Health Net, Inc. and its representatives may from time to time make written and oral forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act (“PSLRA”) of 1995, including statements in this and other press releases, in presentations, filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), reports to stockholders and in meetings with investors and analysts. All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical information provided herein, may be deemed to be forward-looking statements and as such are intended to be covered by the safe harbor for “forward-looking statements” provided by PSLRA. These statements are based on management’s analysis, judgment, belief and expectation only as of the date hereof, and are subject to changes in circumstances and a number of risks and uncertainties. Without limiting the foregoing, statements including the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “estimate,” “intend,” “feels,” “will,” “projects” and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by the forward-looking information and statements due to, among other things, health care reform and other increased government participation in and regulation of health benefits and managed care operations, including the ultimate impact of the Affordable Care Act, which could materially adversely affect Health Net’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows through, among other things, reduced revenues, new taxes, expanded liability, and increased costs (including medical, administrative, technology or other costs), or require changes to the ways in which Health Net does business; rising health care costs; continued slow economic growth or a further decline in the economy; negative prior period claims reserve developments; trends in medical care ratios; membership declines; unexpected utilization patterns or unexpectedly severe or widespread illnesses; rate cuts and other risks and uncertainties affecting Health Net’s Medicare or Medicaid businesses; Health Net’s ability to successfully participate in the dual-eligibles pilot programs; litigation costs; regulatory issues with federal and state agencies including, but not limited to, the California Department of Managed Health Care, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Office of Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and state departments of insurance; operational issues; failure to effectively oversee our third-party vendors; noncompliance by Health Net or Health Net’s business associates with any privacy laws or any security breach involving the misappropriation, loss or other unauthorized use or disclosure of confidential information; any liabilities of the Northeast business that were incurred prior to the closing of its sale as well as those liabilities incurred through the winding-up and running-out period of the Northeast business; investment portfolio impairment charges; volatility in the financial markets; and general business and market conditions. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the risks discussed in the “Risk Factors” section included within Health Net’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC, and the risks discussed in Health Net’s other filings with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Except as may be required by law, Health Net undertakes no obligation to address or publicly update any of its forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date of this release.

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Health Care Ruling: Experts Discuss Outcome of High Court Decision

The Supreme Court upheld the health care reform law on Thursday, ending--at least temporarily--a battle over the controversial act that served as background for most of President Obama’s incumbency. We’ve asked some of our Perspectives contributors, a diverse collection of think tanks, advocates and leaders in their fields, as well as several other experts to tell us what they thought on the ruling.

Here’s what they had to say.

Mee Moua, president and executive director of the AAJC, said in a statement that she applauded the ruling, calling it “critical in ensuring that communities of color have access to health care and key preventative services.”

“Our task at hand is to spearhead and move forward with implementing this law, so that the 2.5 million Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders will have affordable health insurance, eliminating the current health disparities that plague our communities.”

“While we welcome today's decision that brings us one step closer to health equity in this country, we cannot forget the Supreme Court's ruling, just three days ago, in the Arizona anti-immigrant law, which will likely lead to discrimination against communities of color. These important debates reinforce the need for our communities to act and make our voices heard, loud and clear."

Kathy Lim Ko, president and CEO of the APIAHF, said the Supreme Court’s decision “validated a landmark civil rights law.” The APIAHF is an advocacy organization promoting policy and community programs that benefit the health of Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders.

“The ACA will improve access to quality health care for millions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, protect our communities from unfair insurance company practices and make substantial investments in our nation’s public health infrastructure,” she said in a statement.

“We know that the work ahead is still significant and we must continue to fight to ensure that all people--including our nation’s immigrants--have the right to health and health care. We will continue to analyze today’s decision in more detail and work to defend the ACA against continued attempts to repeal the advances that have been made.”

Neera Tandeen, president of educational institute and think tank Center for American Progress, called the ruling a “victory for millions of Americans who are already benefiting from the health reform law.”

“It’s not about Democrats or Republicans winning or losing, it's about people’s lives. All of us—Democrats and Republicans—must move forward with making health care work for every American and that means stopping the political games and implementing the law,” she said in a statement.

Tandeen called for an end to the bipartisan battle over the act, adding in her statement, “But will Republicans stop their politics-at-all-costs campaign long enough to make sure America’s health care system works for every American?”

“No more slash-and-burn politics. No more delay tactics. Republican attorney generals have wasted millions of dollars using the courts to achieve their political ends. Today the court affirmed its role as the neutral arbiter of the law for all Americans.”

The GOProud, a gay and straight alliance promoting conservative ideals, criticized the Court’s ruling, saying the decision gives the federal government “unchecked power.”

“Today is a good day for big government and a bad day for individual liberty,” said Jimmy LaSalvia, executive director of GOProud, in a statement.

He continued: “This decision reminds us of how important it is to elect conservatives to the House, Senate and the White House that will protect our individual liberties, because it is clear that the Supreme Court is unwilling to do so.”

“Free market healthcare reform would expand access to domestic partner benefits and put gay people in charge of their healthcare decisions. By upholding Obamacare, the Supreme Court has upheld legislation that hurts all Americans, but especially hurts gay and lesbian families.”

The Hispanic Leadership Network, an initiative by the American Action Network to engage the Hispanic community on center-right issues, issued the following statement from Executive Director Jennifer Korn.

Korn maintained that the Supreme Court’s decision would ultimately hurt Latinos and the American public, especially in light of the faltering economy. She called on Congress to work on a bipartisan solution that would replace the key provisions of the health care act that would create “quality and affordable healthcare while protecting future generations from a mountain of debt.”

“In its opinion, the Court shed light on the truth--that Obamacare is, in fact, a one trillion dollar tax-hike imposed on the American people,” she said. "A federal mandate is not what the American people need or want to improve our health care system. Simply because something is deemed constitutional, it doesn’t mean it is good policy.”

“This law endangers quality private coverage for families, while robbing $500 billion from seniors to help pay for it. As it stands, this law puts the financial security of countless Hispanic families at risk and irresponsibly places the burden of debt on our children and grandchildren--jeopardizing the American dream.”

The HRC, a civil rights advocacy organization for LGBTs, said the ruling “paved the way for important new protections for and investments in the health.”

“The Affordable Care Act addresses a number of the barriers LGBT people face in obtaining health insurance, from financial barriers to obtaining affordable coverage to discrimination by insurance carriers and healthcare providers,” said HRC President Chad Griffin.

“While there is a great deal more that must be done to ensure that the health needs of all LGBT people are fully met throughout the healthcare system, today’s decision is an important victory in the fight for healthcare equality.”   

NAACP Chairman Roslyn M. Brock released a statement saying she applauded the decision to uphold the health care act.

“Access to quality, affordable health care is a civil and human right that should not be reserved for the wealthy or the few. The 32 million American men, women and children covered under this law can now breathe easier,” she said in a statement.
“Many serious health issues are preventable,” Brock said. “But far too often, patients who lack health insurance--especially patients of color--enter medical facilities late in the progression of their diagnosis. This sad reality is costing lives and costing American taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars in unnecessary health care bills. States can now move forward in implementing health care reform with the knowledge that the Affordable Care Act is not going anywhere anytime soon.”

The conservative organization dedicated to closing the gap between the Republican party and America’s Hispanic population expressed its dissatisfication with the Supreme Court’s decision.

“President Obama and the Democrats in Congress forced Obamacare on America without one Republican vote of support and against the sentiment of the American people,” said RHNA chairman Alci Maldonado in a statement.

“We Americans must repeal and replace Obamacare with a more common sense reform to our health care system, currently the best in the world, although all would agree that it does need reasonable reform.”

The RHNA sided with Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Gov. Mitt Romney in their assertion that the health care act would only increase taxes on all Americans, affecting the middle class most severely.

Perspectives regularly features guest commentary, analysis and insights from a diverse field of thought leaders, think tanks, research institutes and more. The Next America is always looking for input from all sides of the story. If you or your organization is interested in participating in this conversation, please e-mail The Next America team.

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Health Net to Hold Conference Call and Webcast to Discuss First Quarter 2012 Earnings Results

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Health Net, Inc. (NYSE:HNT - News) will hold its quarterly conference call to discuss first quarter 2012 earnings results on Thursday, May 3, 2012, at approximately 11:30 a.m. Eastern time (8:30 a.m. Pacific time). Earnings results will be announced before the market opens on the same day.

The live conference call should be accessed at least 15 minutes prior to its start with the following numbers:

The access code for both the live conference call and replay is 67363204. A recording of the call can be heard from May 3, 2012 (12:00 noon Eastern Time / 9:00 a.m. Pacific time) through May 8, 2012 (12:00 Midnight Eastern time) by dialing one of the following replay numbers:

A live webcast and replay of the conference call also will be available at www.healthnet.com under “Investor Relations.” The conference call webcast is open to all interested parties.

About Health Net

Health Net, Inc. is a publicly traded managed care organization that delivers managed health care services through health plans and government-sponsored managed care plans. Its mission is to help people be healthy, secure and comfortable. Health Net, through its subsidiaries, provides and administers health benefits to approximately 6.0 million individuals across the country through group, individual, Medicare (including the Medicare prescription drug benefit commonly referred to as “Part D”), Medicaid, U.S. Department of Defense, including TRICARE, and Veterans Affairs programs. Health Net’s behavioral health services subsidiary, Managed Health Network, Inc., provides behavioral health, substance abuse and employee assistance programs to approximately 5.0 million individuals, including Health Net’s own health plan members. Health Net’s subsidiaries also offer managed health care products related to prescription drugs, and offer managed health care product coordination for multi-region employers and administrative services for medical groups and self-funded benefits programs.

For more information on Health Net, Inc., please visit Health Net’s website at www.healthnet.com.

Cautionary Statements

Health Net, Inc. and its representatives may from time to time make written and oral forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act (“PSLRA”) of 1995, including statements in this and other press releases, in presentations, filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), reports to stockholders and in meetings with investors and analysts. All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical information provided herein, may be deemed to be forward-looking statements and as such are intended to be covered by the safe harbor for “forward-looking statements” provided by PSLRA. These statements are based on management’s analysis, judgment, belief and expectation only as of the date hereof, and are subject to changes in circumstances and a number of risks and uncertainties. Without limiting the foregoing, statements including the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “estimate,” “intend,” “feels,” “will,” “projects” and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by the forward-looking information and statements due to, among other things, health care reform and other increased government participation in and regulation of health benefits and managed care operations, including the ultimate impact of the Affordable Care Act, which could materially adversely affect Health Net’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows through, among other things, reduced revenues, new taxes, expanded liability, and increased costs (including medical, administrative, technology or other costs), or require changes to the ways in which Health Net does business; rising health care costs; continued slow economic growth or a further decline in the economy; negative prior period claims reserve developments; trends in medical care ratios; membership declines; unexpected utilization patterns or unexpectedly severe or widespread illnesses; rate cuts and other risks and uncertainties affecting Health Net’s Medicare or Medicaid businesses; litigation costs; regulatory issues with federal and state agencies including, but not limited to, the California Department of Managed Health Care, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Office of Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and state departments of insurance; operational issues; failure to effectively oversee our third party vendors; noncompliance by Health Net or Health Net’s business associates with any privacy laws or any security breach involving the misappropriation, loss or other unauthorized use or disclosure of confidential information; any liabilities of the Northeast business that were incurred prior to the closing of its sale as well as those liabilities incurred through the winding-up and running-out period of the Northeast business; Health Net’s ability to complete proposed dispositions on a timely basis or at all; investment portfolio impairment charges; volatility in the financial markets; and general business and market conditions. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the risks discussed in the “Risk Factors” section included within Health Net’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC and the risks discussed in Health Net’s other filings with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Except as may be required by law, Health Net undertakes no obligation to address or publicly update any of its forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date of this release.

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Health Policy and Legal Experts Discuss U.S. Supreme Court’s Upcoming Ruling on Health Reform

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Nearly 300 members of the Nashville Health Care Council and Leadership Health Care heard from a diverse panel about the future potential implications of the U.S. Supreme Court’s pending decision on the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

"The highly anticipated Supreme Court decision on health reform is much more than a legal opinion, it’s a defining event in the health care marketplace," said panel moderator Dick Cowart, chairman, Health Law & Public Policy Department, Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz. "These historic proceedings have the potential to change the way health care companies do business."

The Court will hear arguments on the Affordable Care Act from March 26-28, just over two years after the bill’s passage into law. The Act made sweeping changes to the nation's health care system, including individual and employer insurance provisions, payer requirements around preexisting conditions, age thresholds and preventative care, along with Medicaid expansion.

The panel, Supreme Decision: The High Court on the Affordable Care Act, discussed views on how the Court’s decision could impact health care providers, payers and consumers. Participants included Lyle Denniston, journalist and dean emeritus of the U.S. Supreme Court Press Corps; Paul Heldman, senior health policy analyst, Potomac Research Group; Tony Hullender, senior vice president and general counsel, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee; and Tevi Troy, senior fellow, Hudson Institute, and former Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

View panel member interviews on YouTube and event photos on Flickr. Photo credit: (c) 2012, Harry Butler, Nashville.

The Court has established an unprecedented six hours for the oral arguments. During the March proceedings, the Court will evaluate four issues relating to the law, including: 1) the “individual mandate,” or requirement that every American citizen purchase health insurance; 2) “severability,” whether the overall health care law can stand even if the individual mandate provision doesn’t; 3) the law’s new Medicaid requirements for states and 4) the Anti-Injunction Act, whether it’s appropriate for courts to currently hear challenges to the law given that its mandates do not take effect until 2014.

“The Court is taking this matter very seriously, as it should, given the scope of the law and the kinds of changes it represents, not only to the health care system but also to matters as grand as the separation of powers and the very structure of our constitutional republic,” said Troy.

According to Denniston, the case is multi-layered and historically significant. “The Court could have only focused on the constitutionality of the individual mandate,” he said. “But the Court has chosen broader deliberations around severability and the implications of the law’s expansion of Medicaid.”

The health insurance industry, a sector integral to health reform’s impact, is poised for implementation regardless of the outcome. "The individual health insurance mandates are a key part of health care reform's goal to control the cost of care,” said Hullender. “With this in mind, our industry understands the need for their inclusion in the original law."

Heldman said he leans toward the view that the law's requirement that individuals buy insurance will be upheld. "It’s our thinking that the Supreme Court will leave much of the health reform law standing, even if it finds unconstitutional the requirement that individuals buy coverage. But, in my opinion, removing the individual mandate could destabilize the insurance market and negatively impact providers who might be exposed to increased bad debt.”

The panel discussion comes on the eve of the Leadership Health Care’s 10-Year Anniversary Delegation to Washington, D.C. The annual trip will feature industry perspectives on key components of health care reform, discussions on federal reimbursements and budget issues, and expert views on the likely outcomes and industry impact of both the March Supreme Court hearing on reform and the November elections.

“Today’s discussion was an exceptional opportunity to hear from experts and key stakeholders on this highly anticipated decision,” said Council President Caroline Young. “The outcome will have an unprecedented impact on the future of the Affordable Care Act, the national landscape of the health care industry and Nashville as a health care capital.”

About the Nashville Health Care Council

The Nashville Health Care Council, founded in 1995 as an initiative of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, is an association of health care industry leaders working together to further establish Nashville’s position as the nation’s health care industry capital. Worldwide, Nashville’s health care industry generates more than $70 billion in revenue and over 400,000 jobs, and is Nashville’s largest and fastest growing employer. For more information on the Council, please visit www.healthcarecouncil.com.

About Leadership Health Care

Leadership Health Care (LHC) is an initiative of the Nashville Health Care Council started in 2002. LHC fosters the next generation of health care leaders by providing educational and networking opportunities for over 650 motivated professionals. Learn more at www.leadershiphealthcare.com.

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Santorum & Romney Discuss Health Care

Rick Santorum & Mitt Romney discuss Health Care, ObamaCare and RomneyCare.

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Health officials discuss Flagler needs, plans

Meeting the need

Federally Qualified Health Centers are defined by Medicare and Medicaid statutes and funded under the Public Health Service Act. They offer:

- Eligibility for a $650,000 start-up grant.

- Enhanced Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement.

- Medical malpractice coverage through the Federal Tort Claims Act.

- Medications for outpatients available at a reduced cost through the Drug Pricing Program.

- Safe Harbor to establish arrangements for goods and services.

- Access to National Health Service Corps.

- Access to the Vaccine for Children Program.

- Eligibility for various other federal grants and programs.

SOURCE: St. Johns River Rural Health Network

PALM COAST -- Flagler County needs a Federally Qualified Health Center that brings together all health care components in downtown Bunnell, especially primary and behavioral health care, within walking or bike-riding distance of some of the county's most economically disadvantaged residents.

That was one conclusion of the Flagler Community Health Assessment, a year's worth of personal interviews, summits with local healthcare providers, and hundreds of individual surveys compiled for a study conducted earlier this year by the Health Planning Council of Northeast Florida and the Flagler County Health Department. Officials summarized their findings, as well as plans for the future, at an invitation-only breakfast Wednesday.

"Many people who are able to access primary care are not getting behavioral health or substance abuse help. They just don't go," said Toni Barrett, spokeswoman for Stewart-Marchman-Act and a member of the Flagler Partnership for Community Health. "Likewise, people who are getting behavioral health or help with substance abuse are accessing primary care. There is a real need to get some integration of health care."

The study, funded through a $17,500 Florida Health Department grant via the Centers for Disease Control, was done to provide a comprehensive overview of Flagler County's health care needs for planning purposes.

The hard part starts now, said Dawn Emerick, president of the Health Planning Council of Northeast Florida, a nonprofit council that covers a seven-county area including Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, St. Johns and Volusia counties.

"This is not unique to Flagler County," she said. "The needs are very similar (all over). This is all very community driven."

Ultimately, health care officials envision a health care corridor along the spine of downtown Bunnell. Creating this corridor will be key to getting $650,000 in annual grant money to maintain a Federally Qualified Health Center.

Patrick Johnson, Flagler County Health Department administrator, praised the successes of the Flagler Free Clinic, the Sheltering Tree, Feed Flagler, Access Flagler and the mobile benefits program, among others. But he said the pieces will have to be connected for officials to be able to create a competitive application for the highly sought-after federal grant money.

"Only 87 of these have been funded across the nation -- two in Florida," Johnson said. "It's very competitive. We have to have something unique. We have to piece this together as a health campus in application form. And we have to be patient."

Overall, the health of Flagler County is good, he said.

"Two years ago, Flagler was the healthiest small county in Florida," Johnson said, noting that health information reported is always a year behind. "That's when we started to head into really hard economic times, and last year we slipped a little bit. When we look at community health, we are looking at the entire community."

Top local concerns include a lack of easy access to health care, chronic diseases like diabetes, and "behavioral health" problems like drug and alcohol abuse, according to the study.

Statistically, Flagler County's percentage of adults who are smokers, obese, have high blood pressure and cardiovascular problems and high cholesterol is higher than the state average.

Johnson related that a nurse told him that if health care workers could "decrease smoking, weight, high blood pressure and cholesterol, we could solve 75 percent of the health problems."

Health care in general, he said, has moved away from the infectious diseases that were aggressively treated in the early 1900s and now is focusing more on chronic diseases that come with living a longer life.

"We all know the longer you live, you're going to probably develop some kind of chronic disease," Johnson said. "We want to live as long and as healthy as we can, but we're all going to die.

"We're trying to be younger and younger."

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