Triple-S Management Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter 2010 Results

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Feb. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Triple-S Management Corporation (NYSE: GTS), one of the leading managed care companies in Puerto Rico, today announced consolidated revenues of $431.6 million and operating income of $21.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010.  Net income of $20.0 million, or $0.69 per diluted share, includes an after tax net gain of $6.5 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, related to net realized and unrealized gains on investments and derivatives.  Pro forma net income was $13.5 million, or $0.47 per diluted share.

Fourth-Quarter Consolidated Highlights

• Total consolidated operating revenues were $423.6 million;
• Operating income was $21.7 million;
• Excluding net realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments and derivatives, net income was $13.5 million, or $0.47 per diluted share;
• Consolidated loss ratio was 79.6% and the medical loss ratio (MLR) was 84.0%;
• Commercial fully-insured member month enrollment rose 1.2%.

"The period's results were in line with expectations, including a 4.6% increase in our Commercial premiums and lower adjusted MLR," said Ramon M. Ruiz-Comas, President and Chief Executive Officer.  "Our results for this quarter demonstrate the stability of our continuing businesses despite losing the Medicaid revenue stream. Since August, we have moved quickly to identify opportunities to grow our business and absorb the G&A impact of closing this business.  Our capital resources are being redeployed into our Medicare and Commercial businesses, which we believe have the most significant potential going forward."

Ruiz-Comas continued, "The recently completed acquisition of American Health reflects our ongoing commitment to identify strategically appropriate acquisition opportunities within Puerto Rico where we can capitalize on the strength of our physician networks, brand leadership, and ability to grow market share.  This transaction, which will be immediately accretive, positions us for continued expansion in the Medicare Advantage segment.  We also anticipate that the premium revenue and efficiencies associated with this acquisition will compensate for the impact of future CMS rate adjustments."

"As we enter 2011, we are excited about our growth prospects.  We are pleased with our steadily improving corporate performance, our disciplined operating cost management, the success of our medical management initiatives, and our diversified and growing business base.  Our strategic focus on Medicare Advantage and our well established presence in the Commercial market, along with improving cash flow and greater corporate efficiencies, should position us well for the remainder of this year and beyond," concluded Ruiz-Comas.

Selected Quarterly Details

• Pro Forma Net Income was $13.5 million, or $0.47 Per Diluted Share.  Weighted average shares outstanding were 29.1 million.  This compares with pro forma net income of $24.4 million, or $0.83 per diluted share, in the corresponding quarter of 2009, based on weighted average shares outstanding of 29.3 million.
• Consolidated Premiums Fell 14.8% to $407.6 million.  The decline is principally due to the termination of the Medicaid contracts.  Consolidated premiums, excluding Medicaid, posted a 2.1% year-over-year increase, largely the result of higher rates and increased Commercial member month enrollment.  
• Consolidated Administrative Service Fees Declined 74.7% to $4.7 million.  The significant decrease primarily reflects the termination of the Medicaid contracts and a performance incentive recorded in the 2009 period as the result of the savings achieved in the Metro-North region.
• Managed Care Membership.  Fully insured Commercial membership was 484,163, up 0.7% from last year.  Medicare membership declined 8.7%, to 63,553, mostly in the dual-eligible product.  Medicaid fully insured membership was 340,453 at the end of 2009.
• Consolidated Loss Ratio Fell By 500 Basis Points.  Consolidated claims incurred were $324.6 million, 19.8% below a year ago, principally due to the termination of the Medicaid contracts.  The lower consolidated loss ratio reflects the lost Medicaid business, which had an MLR of 97.2% in 2009.
• Managed Care MLR Declined By 470 Basis Points to 84.0%.  Excluding the effect of the lost Medicaid contracts, the ratio increased 100 basis points, reflecting a higher Medicare Advantage MLR offset by a 40-basis-point reduction in the Commercial MLR.
• Consolidated Operating Expense Ratio Was 18.7%.  The consolidated operating expense ratio rose 440 basis points from the prior year mainly due to the termination of the Medicaid contracts.  Consolidated operating expenses increased by $6.0 million, or 8.4%, from a year ago, primarily attributable to increased IT costs related to our new managed care electronic data processing system, higher intangible asset amortization, and marketing and advertising expenses.
• Consolidated Operating Income Declined 36.5% to $21.7 Million.  The decrease reflects the termination of the Medicaid contracts, higher consolidated operating expenses and a higher performance incentive recorded in the 2009 period.
• Consolidated Operating Income Margin Was 5.1%. The consolidated operating margin narrowed by 160 basis points year-over -year due to lower revenue and increased operating expenses.
• Parent Company Information.  As of December 31, 2010, Triple-S Management had $62.8 million in parent company cash, cash equivalents, and investments.

Year-End Recap

For the year ended December 31, 2010, consolidated operating revenues rose 1.0%, to $1.99 billion, primarily reflecting growth in the Managed Care segment.  Consolidated claims incurred were $1.60 billion, down 0.6% year-over- year.  The consolidated loss ratio and MLR for the year ended December 31, 2010 decreased 190 basis points and 180 basis points, respectively.  Accounting for reserve developments, loss adjustment expenses associated with exiting the Medicaid business, and premium adjustments, the MLR decreased 100 basis points.  The MLR improvement in the year is mostly the result of the new risk-sharing agreement with our providers in the Medicare Advantage dual eligible product and lower Commercial utilization trends.  Consolidated operating expenses for the twelve months ended December 31, 2010, were $305.0 million and the operating expense ratio was 15.7%.  Pro forma net income for the year ended December 31, 2010, was $60.8 million, or $2.08 per diluted share, based on weighted average shares outstanding of 29.2 million, compared with $59.4 million, or $2.01 per diluted share, based on weighted average shares outstanding of 29.6 million at the same time last year.

Segment Performance

Triple-S Management operates in three segments: 1) Managed Care, 2) Life Insurance, and 3) Property and Casualty Insurance.  Management evaluates performance based primarily on the operating revenues and operating income of each segment.  Operating revenues include premiums earned, net administrative service fees and net investment income.  Operating costs include claims incurred and operating expenses.  The Company calculates operating income or loss as operating revenues minus operating expenses.  Operating margin is defined as operating gain or loss divided by operating revenues.

2011 Guidance

Ruiz-Comas said, "Entering 2011, we have remained focused on driving organic growth with new marketing initiatives and our expanded agent network, as well as reducing our MLR, which will further boost margins. Our guidance for this year includes the recent acquisition of American Health."

Conference Call and Webcast

Management will host a conference call and webcast Wednesday, February 9 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2010, as well as expectations for future earnings.  To participate, callers within the U.S. and Canada should dial 1-877-941-2928, and international callers should dial 1-480-629-9725 about five minutes before the presentation.  

To listen to the webcast, participants should visit the "Investor Relations" section of the Company's Web site at www.triplesmanagement.com several minutes before the event is broadcast and follow the instructions provided to ensure they have the necessary audio application downloaded and installed.  This program is provided at no charge to the user.  An archived version of the call, also located on the "Investor Relations" section of Triple-S Management's Web site, will be available about two hours after the call ends and for at least the following two weeks.  This news release, along with other information relating to the call, will be available on the "Investor Relations" section of the Web site.

About Triple-S Management Corporation

Triple-S Management Corporation is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.  It is one of the leading players in the managed care industry in Puerto Rico.  Triple-S Management also has the exclusive right to use the Blue Cross Blue Shield name and mark throughout Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  With more than 50 years of experience in the industry, Triple-S Management offers a broad portfolio of managed care and related products in the Commercial and Medicare Advantage markets under the Blue Cross Blue Shield brand through its subsidiary Triple-S Salud, Inc. and effective February 2011, also offer non-branded Medicare products through American Health Inc.  In addition to its managed care business, Triple-S Management provides non-Blue Cross Blue Shield branded life and property and casualty insurance in Puerto Rico.

For more information about Triple-S Management, visit www.triplesmanagement.com or contact [email protected].

Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains forward-looking statements, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future sales, results of operations, developments, regulatory approvals or other circumstances.  Sentences that include "believe", "expect", "plan", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "project", "may", "will", "shall", "should" and similar expressions, whether in the positive or negative, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

All forward-looking statements in this news release reflect management's current views about future events and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties.  Consequently, actual results may differ materially from those expressed here as a result of various factors, including all the risks discussed and identified in public filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

In addition, the Company operates in a highly competitive, constantly changing environment, influenced by very large organizations that have resulted from business combinations, aggressive marketing and pricing practices of competitors, and regulatory oversight.  The following factors, if markedly different from the Company's planning assumptions (either individually or in combination), could cause Triple-S Management's results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements shared here:

• Trends in health care costs and utilization rates

• Ability to secure sufficient premium rate increases

• Competitor pricing below market trends of increasing costs

• Re-estimates of policy and contract liabilities

• Changes in government laws and regulations of managed care, life insurance or property and casualty insurance

• Significant acquisitions or divestitures by major competitors

• Introduction and use of new prescription drugs and technologies

• A downgrade in the Company's financial strength ratings

• Litigation or legislation targeted at managed care, life insurance or property and casualty insurance companies

• Ability to contract with providers consistent with past practice

• Ability to successfully implement the Company's disease management and utilization management programs

• Volatility in the securities markets and investment losses and defaults

• General economic downturns, major disasters, and epidemics

This list is not exhaustive.  Management believes the forward-looking statements in this release are reasonable.  However, there is no assurance that the actions, events or results anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if any of them do, what impact they will have on the Company's results of operations or financial condition.  In view of these uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which are based on current expectations.  In addition, forward-looking statements are based on information available the day they are made, and (other than as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States) the Company does not intend to update or revise any of them in light of new information or future events.

Readers are advised to carefully review and consider the various disclosures in the Company's SEC reports.

-FINANCIAL TABLES ATTACHED-

SOURCE Triple-S Management Corporation