Health plans closed 2022 at ‘zero to zero’, says ANS – 04/25/2023 – Market

Health plans closed 2022 practically at “zero to zero”, with a net profit of R$ 2.5 million. The data for the fourth quarter of the year were released by the ANS (National Supplementary Health Agency) this Wednesday (24).

According to the agency, compared with the effective revenue from health operations, the main business, of BRL 237.6 billion, this profit represents only 0.001% —for each BRL 1,000.00 of revenue, BRL 0.01 of profit.

The worsening in annual results has worsened since 2021, especially for large operators. In 2020, there was a record profit of BRL 18.7 billion, followed by a profit of BRL 3.8 billion the following year. However, the fourth quarter of 2022 shows signs of recovery.

The result of the supplementary health sector was positive for benefit administrators, of R$ 555.57 million. The exclusively dental and medical-hospital operators recorded annual losses of R$ 47.3 million and R$ 505.7 million, respectively.

According to ANS, the negative data is unprecedented and was strongly pulled by large operators.

The results can be explained by the increase in costs and could even have been generated by the fall or stagnation of revenues.

In a preliminary assessment by the agency, in the case of the supplementary health market, care expenses did not show growth that could justify the increase in claims (ratio between the amount paid by users and the cost of procedures). However, revenues from monthly fees seem to be stagnant, especially in large operators.

The analysis is compatible with the recent history of the supplementary health market: despite the significant increase in beneficiaries since the beginning of the pandemic, the loss ratio was not so well controlled, says the ANS.