What is "upcoding" and why is it a problem in healthcare?

Upcoding is when healthcare providers or insurers assign billing codes that indicate more complex or serious conditions than patients actually have, resulting in higher reimbursements from government programs like Medicare. It's a form of fraud that costs taxpayers billions of dollars annually. The DOJ investigation into UnitedHealth highlights how serious this issue has become, creating both legal risks for companies engaging in such practices and opportunities for those providing compliance solutions.

What is the DOJ investigation into UnitedHealth about?

The Department of Justice is conducting a criminal investigation into allegations that UnitedHealth Group artificially inflated patient diagnoses in its Medicare Advantage plans to receive higher government reimbursements. This practice, known as "upcoding," potentially violates federal law. The investigation signals stricter enforcement of healthcare billing integrity, which is why compliance software providers and competing insurers with strong compliance records may benefit.

How might this regulatory pressure affect healthcare stocks?

The increased regulatory scrutiny creates two main investment opportunities. First, healthcare technology companies that provide compliance software, data analytics, and auditing tools should see increased demand as organizations scramble to improve their billing practices. Second, competing insurance companies with strong compliance records may gain market share as customers and partners lose trust in insurers under investigation. Both dynamics could drive growth for the companies in this group.

Why are hospital operators included in this group?

Hospital operators like Universal Health Services (UHS) and HCA Healthcare benefit from a level playing field in healthcare billing. When insurers are forced to adhere to stricter compliance standards, hospitals may receive more appropriate reimbursements for services provided. Additionally, hospitals with strong compliance programs themselves become more attractive partners for insurers looking to demonstrate commitment to billing integrity, potentially leading to better contracts and rates.

What does "Projected Profit %" mean for these stocks?

Projected Profit % represents the estimated percentage increase in a company's stock price that analysts believe could occur within a specific timeframe, usually 12 months. This projection is based on factors including the company's financial health, growth prospects, industry trends, and in this case, the potential benefits from increased focus on healthcare billing compliance. It's an estimate of potential return, though actual performance may vary based on market conditions and company execution.

15 handpicked stocks

Healthcare Billing Integrity

This group of stocks includes companies positioned to benefit from increased focus on healthcare billing compliance. Carefully selected by professional analysts, these stocks represent both healthcare tech providers offering compliance solutions and competing insurers who may gain market share amid regulatory scrutiny.

Han Tan | Market Analyst

Published on July 11

Top Picks from This Group

Here are a few of the assets in this group. Create an account to unlock the full list.

The Cigna Corp

Current price

$295.42

As a primary competitor to UnitedHealth, Cigna could attract new members from employer groups and individuals seeking a more trusted health insurance ...

As a primary competitor to UnitedHealth, Cigna could attract new members from employer groups and individuals seeking a more trusted health insurance provider amid the ongoing investigation.

Humana Inc.

HUM

Current price

$254.36

Humana, a major player in the Medicare Advantage market, is well-positioned to gain market share from UnitedHealth as seniors and other beneficiaries ...

Humana, a major player in the Medicare Advantage market, is well-positioned to gain market share from UnitedHealth as seniors and other beneficiaries may switch to insurers with a stronger reputation for compliance.

Elevance Health, Inc

ELV

Current price

$340.44

Elevance Health competes directly with UnitedHealth and could benefit from a flight to quality, capturing market share as customers and partners reass...

Elevance Health competes directly with UnitedHealth and could benefit from a flight to quality, capturing market share as customers and partners reassess their relationships with the embattled insurer.

Centene Corp.

CNC

Current price

$36.93

Health Catalyst Inc

HCAT

Current price

$2.98

Phreesia, Inc.

PHR

Current price

$22.84

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12 Month Growth Potential

Use the growth calculator to see how much investing in these assets could return over one year, based on aggregated analyst sentiment provided by Refinitive Ltd.

If you invested across these assets:

≈

In 12 months it might be worth:

$1,000.00

+78.05%

≈

About This Group of Stocks

Our Expert Thinking

The DOJ investigation into UnitedHealth's Medicare billing practices signals a broader regulatory crackdown across healthcare. This creates opportunity for compliance software providers and competing insurers with strong records. Companies in this group are positioned to benefit from increased compliance spending and potential market share shifts.

What You Need to Know

This collection includes two types of companies: health-tech firms providing compliance software and auditing tools, and rival insurers with strong compliance records. This represents a tactical, event-driven portfolio aimed at capturing a specific opportunity within the healthcare sector following increased scrutiny.

Why These Stocks

These companies were specifically selected to capture the dual opportunities created by the DOJ probe: the increased demand for compliance technology and the potential for market share shifts among insurance providers. Each company offers exposure to either the technology enabling compliance or the possibility of gaining customers from competitors under scrutiny.

Group Performance Snapshot

78.05%

Average 12 Month Profit

On average, analysts expect assets in this group to grow 78.05% over the next year.

12 of 15

Stocks Rated Buy by Analysts

12 of 15 assets in this group are rated Buy by professional analysts.

Source: Analyst sentiment is provided by Refinitiv Ltd, a global leader in financial market data with over 40k business clients. Refinitiv Ltd is an independent third party to Nemo. This is not advice.

Why You'll Want to Watch These Stocks

🔍

Regulatory Spotlight Creates Opportunity

Healthcare billing practices are under intense scrutiny from regulators, creating a perfect environment for companies with strong compliance solutions and clean records to thrive.

💰

Non-Discretionary Tech Spending Boom

Healthcare organizations are now prioritizing compliance software as a must-have expense, not a luxury. This means steady, growing demand for the tech companies in this group.

🔄

Market Share Shifts Happening Now

As patients and employers lose confidence in insurers under investigation, competitors with strong reputations stand to gain millions of new members and billions in revenue.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about the product and billing.