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please click your print icon! A.M. Best Revises Rating Outlook of Health Net, Inc. and Its Subsidiaries to Negative OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A.M. Best Co. has revised the rating outlook to negative from stable and has affirmed the financial strength ratings (FSR), issuer credit ratings (ICR) and debt ratings of Health Net, Inc. (Health Net) (Woodland Hills, CA) [NYSE: HNT] and its subsidiaries. The revised outlook reflects a declining risk-based capitalization (RBC) percentage trend owing to weakening health insurance earnings. A.M. Best recognizes that Health Net management forecasts improved medium term operating performance, driven partially by recently announced strategy related investments. However, Health Net remains subject to execution risk, as well as litigation risk. Furthermore, debt-to-capital increased to 27.5% during first quarter 2008. Coupled with Health Net’s declining RBC percentage trend, these indicators jointly reflect the enterprise’s reduced financial flexibility-heightening execution risk. Moreover, Health Net’s management’s goal is to reduce financial leverage to 25% or below by year-end 2008 with full-year forecast earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) interest coverage approximating 10 times. A.M. Best plans to meet with Health Net executive management in the near term to further discuss 2008 and 2009 financial projections. The ratings also reflect Health Net’s strength in its core California market and the enrollment and premium growth in the Medicare Advantage plans, in addition to favorable revenue and earnings contribution from the TRICARE North contract. For a complete list of HealthNet, Inc.’s FSRs, ICRs and debt ratings, visit www.ambest.com/press/051402healthnet.pdf. Founded in 1899, A.M. Best Company is a global full-service credit rating organization dedicated to serving the financial and health care service industries, including insurance companies, banks, hospitals and health care system providers. For more information, visit www.ambest.com. Contacts A.M. Best Company Analysts Wayne Kaminski, 908-439-2200, ext. 5061 Sally Rosen, 908-439-2200, ext. 5280 or Public Relations Jim Peavy, 908-439-2200, ext. 5644 Rachelle Morrow, 908-439-2200, ext. 5378 Return to today's INSURANCE NEWSCAST
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