NIB expects to earn $30 million less than previously forecast as claims inflation eats into the health insurer’s full-year operating profit.
NIB said on Monday it expects to make at least $170 million in full-year group operating profit, down from the $200 million previously forecast.
NIB shares were down 13.2 per cent at an eight-month low of $5.67 at 1118 AEDT, while Medibank Private shares were down 3.0 per cent at $3.19.
“We’ve definitely seen a tick up in claims and while we did anticipate some level of claims inflation across the group in FY20, recent experience is that it’s been more widespread across a number of business lines than we previously anticipated,” NIB managing director Mark Fitzgibbon said.
Mr Fitzgibbon said NIB’s Australian health insurance business was seeing claims growth in line with expectations, but industry data from the December quarter suggests NIB will have to pay more in risk equalisation levies.
Australian health insurers share a portion of all claims through a risk equalisation pool, Shape Kapseln Höhle der Löwen with insurers with lower than average claims subsidising those with higher claims.
“Recent quarter-end claims data points to higher than expected industry claims and as the largest contributor to risk equalisation it means we’re shouldering much of the industry’s claims growth,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.
“This has resulted in our FY20 risk equalisation net contribution now expected to be around $250 million, up approximately $20 million or nine per cent on FY19,” he said.
Mr Fitzgibbon said some of NIB’s adjacent underwriting environments such as international students, workers and New Zealand operations were also seeing “experiencing claims headwind”.
“And while these businesses account for a relatively minor proportion of our group earnings, it’s likely to result in a drag on our FY20 earnings,” he said.
Mr Fitzgibbon told analysts the board would make a decision later on whether it would maintain the company’s dividend.