Newsletter

The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Health Insurers

Abstract: The U.S. health insurance industry, which owns over $380 billion in financial assets, was placed in the spotlight when the Covid-19 pandemic began in the spring of 2020.1 The pandemic led to health-care-specific changes, such an increase in Covid-19 testing and related hospitalizations, as well as a temporary postponement or cancellation of elective procedures to make space for Covid-19 patients. It also led to changes in financial markets, notably a decrease in interest rates. These changes affected the risks that health insurers are subject to and the overall profitability of the industry.

Keywords: financial economics;

JEL Classification: I13;

Bibliographic Information

Provider: Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

Part of Series: Chicago Fed Letter

Publication Date: 2022-09

Volume: No 471