Health insurer Aetna Inc.'s fourth-quarter net income jumped 73 percent, as it continued to benefit from low use of health care and some key expenses fell.

Health insurer WellPoint Inc. plans to improve primary care doctor payments and start reimbursing for care management it doesn't cover as a way boost treatment and save money.

WellPoint Inc.'s fourth-quarter net income sank 39 percent as medical claims increased, mostly because of a $50 million hit from the health insurer's Medicare Advantage business. But the company forecast earnings growth in 2012.

WellPoint Inc.'s fourth-quarter earnings sank 39 percent as medical claims soared thanks to a $50 million hit from the health insurer's Medicare Advantage business, but the company forecast earnings growth in 2012.

UnitedHealth Group Inc.'s fourth-quarter net income jumped 21 percent, but the insurer saw signs of health care use picking up and left its 2012 earnings forecast unchanged.

UnitedHealth Group Inc.'s fourth-quarter net income jumped 20 percent, but the insurer saw signs of health care use picking up and left its 2012 earnings forecast unchanged.

More companies are offering workers a form of high-deductible insurance called a consumer-directed health plan as they struggle with rising costs and prepare for coverage expansions under the health care overhaul, according to a survey from the benefits consultant Mercer.

Humana Inc.'s third-quarter net income jumped 13 percent after another strong quarter of Medicare Advantage enrollment growth, and the health insurer also raised its 2011 earnings forecast, following a lead set the past couple weeks by other big insurers.