U.S. health insurers need to expand globally for sustaining high rates of growth and profitability

U.S. health insurers must focus on overseas expansion opportunities if they seek continued high rates of growth and profitability, according to a new study by Conning Research & Consulting.

"U.S. health insurers have been successful focusing almost exclusively on the U.S. market up until now," said Sherry Manetta, analyst at Conning Research & Consulting. "However, the U.S. now accounts for 80 percent of the global health insurance market, while representing just 4.6 percent of the world's population.  Looking forward, both profit pressures at home and higher growth rates overseas will drive increased multinational expansion interest among U.S. health insurers."

The Conning Research study, "Global Opportunities for U.S. Health Insurers," provides a strategic decision making framework for insurers entering or expanding in global markets. The study explores trends toward an expanded role for private health insurance in other countries, and identifies characteristics of favorable private health insurance markets.

"In reviewing growth opportunities in health insurance beyond the U.S. market, Asia and Europe represent key near-term opportunities," said Stephan Christiansen, director of research at Conning. "U.S. insurers have built and are managing the world's most complex managed health care system. With this infrastructure and expertise, U.S. insurers have the potential to emerge as front-runners of a vast global managed health care system should they decide to enter the competition already underway with Western European and Canadian multinational insurers."

"Global Opportunities for U.S. Health Insurers" is available for purchase from Conning Research & Consulting by calling (888) 707-1177 or by visiting the company's web site at www.conningresearch.com.

SOURCE Conning Research & Consulting