Our annual market reports and data are an invaluable source of insight into twelve state health care markets. We assemble data on health plans and provider systems and weave that analysis together with the perspectives of leaders in each market.  By touring our web site, you can see samples of what is in those reports and data sets. You can also learn about our consulting research, where we apply our analysis of local markets to help pharmaceutical companies, health plans, provider organizations, health purchasers, investment firms and governments to address the business competition and strategy issues that they face.

New Market Reports for 2010 and 2009

These new reports share key themes:
  • Uncertainty over the enactment of health reform, especially transformative proposals to change payment systems for providers while creating business opportunities for health plans
  • Risks for hospitals that continue to move forward with ambitious construction projects, seeking to expand their market share and extend their geographic reach. As fewer people have comprehensive insurance coverage, providers are feeling downward pressure on utilization.
  • Profitability for HMOs and hospitals was strong through 2007, but net income is down in many local markets in 2008 and 2009.
  • Medicaid is now the largest line of business for HMOs in many states, as employer groups find HMO coverage too comprehensive and expensive and move into other benefit plans, often administered by the same national carriers.

Several reports are available for free PDF download. Follow the links for:

Ohio Health Market Review 2009 released February 2, 2010: "Economic downturn drives down hospital and HMO profitability; Medicaid HMOs add enrollees but suffer losses in 2008"
Illinois Health Market Review 2009 released November 2009: "HMO and hospital profitability declines; Economic downturn creates new challenges"

Texas Health Market Review 2009 released October 16, 2009: "Strong hospital profitability fuels new hospital development; HMO profitability increases, particularly for Medicare plans"

The United Hospital Fund of New York contracted with Allan Baumgarten to provide data and analysis for a report on the health insurance markets in New York state. The new report was released on October 1, 2009.

Michigan Health Market Review 2009, Part One, released July 21, 2009:  "HMO Profitability, Especially for Medicaid Plans, Remains Strong."

Minnesota Heath Market Review 2009, Part One, released June 19, 2009: "Investment Losses Hit HMO Profits While Premiums Continue to Outpace Inflation" 

If you missed the 2008 reports for any of our states, you can order both the 2008 and 2009 reports for a special price of $225.00, $95.00 off the regular price for the two reports. Shipping is free on this offer. Click here to order.

Part Two reports for Michigan and Minnesota were released in April and May. Hospitals results were strong for 2007 but serious challenges lie ahead: the decline of employment and thinner benefits leading to lower utilization; decreased investment income (for HMOs as well) and the high cost of borrowing.

The June 1 issue of Modern HealthCare includes the transcript of a roundtable discussion in which Allan Baumgarten participated on the topic "What's Next for Managed Care?" To read the transcript or view the video, click here.   Other participants were Vicki Gregg, CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee and Larry Boress, CEO of the Midwest Business Group on Health.

Florida Health Market Review 2008 was released March 6, 2009: "HMOs and hospitals continue strong profits in 2007; Economic distress and possible policy changes pose risks

Colorado Health Market Review 2008 was released on February 6, 2009: "Health insurers and hospitals alike enjoy strong profits but face risks; HMO enrollment still dropping"

Wisconsin Health Market Review 2008 was released during the week of January 19.

  • Allan Baumgarten was the keynote speaker at the annual conference of the Wisconsin chapter of the Healthcare Financial Management Association in Green Bay on January 22. His topic: "Tackling Health Care Access, Cost and Quality: What Can States and the Federal Government Accomplish?" Click here to see the presentation slides .

St. Luke's Health Initiatives of Phoenix has released Allan Baumgarten's new market analysis for Arizona. The report, Arizona Health Care Market Report 2008, is available for free PDF download at the SLHI web site.   This is the 11th state where he prepares market reports.

Allan Baumgarten was interviewed as a "visionary" by Managed Healthcare Executive in the July 2007 issue. "Impartial Perspective: Independent consultant Allan Baumgarten offers candid market analysis."

The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky has released Kentucky Health Care Market Report 2007, my new analysis of the health economy in Kentucky, including health benefits and insurance, providers, purchasers and market trends and issues. Later this spring data from the report will be available at the Foundation's web site. Laura Lipkin and Julie Sonier worked with Allan on this project. You can download an interactive PDF of the report at: http://www.healthy-ky.org/presentationsReports.aspx?yr=2007

Coverage of 2007 Texas report:
  • See Brendan Case's article in the Dallas Morning News: "D-FW Health Firms' Profits Up"
  • Kate Harrington's article in the Austin Business Journal: "Hospitals Get Clean Financial Bill of Health"
  • Maria Perotin's article in the Fort Worth Star Telegram: "HMOs see big decline in North Texas" (not available online)
  • Mary Ann Azevedo in the Houston Business Journal: "HMO Net Higher Profits, Less Enrollees"
  • Jennifer Gordon in the Dallas Business Journal: "D-FW Hospitals Leading State"
  • California Health Care Market Report 2006, sponsored by the California HealthCare Foundation, is available for free download

    • Read a report summary here
    • Marie-Anne Hogarth wrote in the East Bay Business Times: "Report: Kaiser expansion keeps competitors on toes"

    Recent Conference Presentations

    "Assessing the Impact of Increased Market Penetration of Specialized For-Profit Medicaid Managed Care Plans"
    at 12th Annual Medicaid Managed Care Congress in Baltimore, June 28-30, 2004

    Industry News

    HMO Premiums and Profits Rise in 2001 and 2002

    HMO Enrollment Declines in 2001 and 2002

    Tiering Approaches for Health Plans: Incentives and Information for Consumers

    We hope you will visit this site frequently. We will regularly add information about new reports as they are released. In addition, our Industry News section will put breaking news into the context that you need.

    Please contact us if you have questions or comments. To reach us send E-mail to: Baumg010@tc.umn.edu. or click on Contact Us.
    If you prefer, call us at (952) 925-9121 or fax (952) 925-9341.

    Our mailing address is:

    Allan Baumgarten
    4800 West 27th Street
    Minneapolis, MN 55416





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