NEW YORK (Reuters) – Health insurers WellPoint Inc (WLP.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Aetna Inc (AET.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) posted quarterly profits above Wall Street targets and raised their full-year forecasts on Wednesday, but WellPoint warned costs for its Medicare plans for seniors were higher than it expected this year.

Administrative cost cuts helped WellPoint, the No. 2 health insurer by market value, offset higher medical claim costs for its Medicare business.

NEW YORK, July 27 (Reuters) – WellPoint Inc and
Aetna Inc , the second and third-biggest U.S. health
insurers by market value, are set to report second-quarter
earnings on Wednesday that will likely be helped by Americans
avoiding doctor visits and delaying medical procedures.

The industry has benefited from Americans postponing such
care during the weak economy. Moderated use of healthcare
services has lowered medical claims, leading to
stronger-than-expected financial performances.

NEW YORK, July 26 (Reuters) – Medco Health Solutions Inc
(MHS.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and AstraZeneca Plc (AZN.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) were subpoenaed by the U.S.
Department of Justice over their relationship involving four of
AstraZeneca’s drugs, including widely used acid reflux
medicines Nexium and Prilosec.

The companies said separately on Tuesday they received the
subpoenas this month. They were issued from the U.S. attorney’s
office for the District of Delaware, the state which is also
home to AstraZeneca’s U.S. headquarters.

NEW YORK (Reuters) – For a self-described nerdy accountant who shuns attention, Express Scripts Inc chief George Paz just thrust himself into the limelight.

With his $29.1 billion planned purchase of rival Medco Health Solutions Inc, Paz would run the clear leader in managing prescription drug benefits for millions of Americans.

NEW YORK, July 21 (Reuters) – Express Scripts Inc (ESRX.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz)
will buy rival Medco Health Solutions Inc (MHS.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) for $29.1
billion to create a U.S. powerhouse in managing prescription
drug benefits, the companies said.

An experienced acquirer, Express Scripts would gain even
more leverage for negotiating drug prices for its employer and
other clients who have made it a priority to reduce their
exposure to spiraling healthcare costs. Such expertise has made
the industry’s services all the more attractive.

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Quest Diagnostics Inc (DGX.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) reported weak quarterly lab-testing volume on Wednesday as Americans avoided doctor visits and the company said it plans to reduce its costs by $500 million over the next three years.

The No. 1 lab-testing company also lowered the top end of its forecast range for 2011 profits as it reported second-quarter earnings in line with Wall Street’s target. Its shares fell 2 percent in early trading.

NEW YORK (Reuters) – UnitedHealth Group Inc (UNH.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) posted a higher-than-expected second-quarter profit on Tuesday, helped by broad increases in enrollment, and the insurer raised its full-year earnings forecast.

The largest U.S. health insurer by market value also cited moderated use of healthcare services by its members for helping lower its medical claim costs. The industry has benefited from Americans avoiding procedures and doctor visits during the weak economy.

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Forest Laboratories Inc (FRX.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) plans to nominate a 10-person board slate that includes three new members at its shareholder meeting, as the drugmaker fends off a challenge from billionaire investor Carl Icahn.

In addition to seven incumbents, Forest plans to nominate Christopher Coughlin, former chief financial officer of Tyco International Ltd (TYC.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz); Gerald Lieberman, former president of AllianceBernstein Holding LP (AB.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz); and Brenton Saunders, CEO of eye-care company Bausch & Lomb. Previously, Forest’s board had had nine members.

NEW YORK (Reuters) – They were just a few brief comments at an investor conference but they were enough to set the health insurance industry abuzz: Could Aetna buy Cigna?

The mention of a deal that would merge two of the biggest U.S. health insurers and could be worth $16 billion has Wall Street talking about its logic and whether the Obama administration and other regulators would even allow it.

NEW YORK, July 14 (Reuters) – They were just a few brief
comments at an investor conference but they were enough to set
the health insurance industry abuzz: Could Aetna buy Cigna?

The mention of a deal that would merge two of the biggest
U.S. health insurers and could be worth $16 billion has Wall
Street talking about its logic and whether the Obama
administration and other regulators would even allow it.