HMOs and Health Insurer Products

The consequences of dealing with a financially strapped HMO or health insurance company often go far beyond the potential loss of premium dollars. Consumers depending on a weak healthcare company can suddenly find themselves with reduced coverage, less access to specialists, and poor customer service as the company cuts costs in an attempt to regain its financial footing.

Likewise, physician groups and hospitals can expect to experience delinquent payments from a troubled HMO or health insurer, sometimes giving way to an outright default on their payments. And every employee that becomes dissatisfied with the quality of his or her healthcare magnifies the headaches for employers, especially employee benefits managers.

That's why it is critically important to periodically monitor the financial condition of each HMO and health insurer with whom you have a relationship. To that end, the TheStreet.com Ratings product line is designed to help you in your evaluation.

TheStreet.com Ratings tracks the financial safety of over 1,700 U.S. health insurance companies, including over 700 HMOs and all Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. We issue the TheStreet.com Financial Strength based on our analysts' review of publicly available information supplemented by data we collect directly from the companies themselves.

TheStreet.com Financial Strength have been proven to be the most accurate available from any of the major rating agencies. In fact, the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) validated Weiss' superior accuracy in its Insurance Ratings study. So, whether you are an HMO member, an employer, or a healthcare professional, the TheStreet.com Financial Strength can help you. For more peace of mind, be sure to consult our free list of the strongest and weakest insurance companies in the nation.

For more information about TheStreet.com Ratings and our products, contact our Customer Hotline at 1-800-289-9222.