March 28, 2013
A.M. Best Co. recently affirmed the financial strength rating of B+ (Good) of Western Health Advantage. The outlook for this rating is stable.
"Western Health Advantage (WHA) has worked hard to achieve this rating,” said WHA President and Chief Executive Officer Garry Maisel. ”It means our customers can depend on us for stability, excellence and leadership."
AM Best's Financial Strength Rating is an independent opinion of an insurer's financial strength and ability to meet its ongoing insurance policy and contract obligations. It is based on a comprehensive quantitative and qualitative evaluation of a company's balance sheet strength, operating performance and business profile.
In the latest report received for 2011 performance, A.M. Best had the following comments about Western Health Advantage:
The company continues to experience favorable underwriting results and overall profitability. Its underwriting performance is also supported by a competitive administrative cost ratio that has remained below ten percent. WHA's rating continues to be supported by its low-risk business profile being globally capitated by its sponsors for most of its commercial line of business, essentially fixing its medical cost ratio for its core line of business at approximately 92%. Moreover, WHA has experienced good membership and premium growth through the latter part of 2011.
WHA is the managed care affiliate for its three sponsors: NorthBay Healthcare System, University of California, Davis Health System and Mercy Healthcare Sacramento (a Dignity Health affiliate, formerly Catholic Healthcare West), all of which are financially strong integrated health care delivery systems operating in WHA's service areas. The sponsors contractually guarantee to provide economic support to the health plan if necessary.
Founded in 1899 and headquartered in Oldwick, N.J., A.M. Best Company (www.ambest.com) is the world's oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source.