UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

 

Form 10-K

 

 

 

 

 

Commission file no. 001-14953

 

 

 

 

HealthMarkets, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

 

 

9151 Boulevard 26, North Richland Hills, Texas 76180
(Address of principal executive offices, zip code)

 

(817) 255-5200
(Registrant’s phone number, including area code)

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

None

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

 

Class A-2 common stock

(Title of Class)

 

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes o     No þ

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes o     No þ

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes þ     No o

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K þ

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  Yes o     No þ

 

Effective April 5, 2006, all of the registrant’s Class A-1 common stock (representing approximately 88.62% of its common equity at March 10, 2007) is owned by three private investor groups and members of management. The registrant’s Class A-2 common stock is owned by its independent insurance agents and is subject to transfer restrictions. Neither the Class-A-1 common stock nor the Class A-2 common stock is listed or traded on any exchange or market. Accordingly, as of June 29, 2007, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, the aggregate market value of shares of Class A-1 and Class A-2 common stock held by non-affiliates was $-0-. As of March 11, 2008, there were 26,899,056.0416 outstanding shares of Class A-1 common stock and 3,998,738.0000 outstanding shares of Class A-2 common stock.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Portions of the annual information statement for the annual meeting of stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III.

 

 

HEALTHMARKETS, INC.
and Subsidiaries

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

This report and other documents or oral presentations prepared or delivered by and on behalf of the Company contain or may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements based upon management’s expectations at the time such statements are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in the statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. When used in written documents or oral presentations, the terms “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “may,” “objective,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “project,” “will” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In addition to the assumptions and other factors referred to specifically in connection with such statements, factors that could impact the Company’s business and financial prospects include, but are not limited to, those discussed under the caption “Item 1 Business”, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Item 7 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and those discussed from time to time in the Company’s various filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission or in other publicly disseminated written documents.

PART I

 

 

Introduction

 

HealthMarkets, Inc. and its subsidiaries are collectively referred to throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K as the “Company” or “HealthMarkets” and may also be referred to as “we,” “us” or “our.”

 

We offer insurance (primarily health and life) to niche consumer and institutional markets. Through our subsidiaries we issue primarily health insurance policies, covering individuals and families, to the self-employed, association groups and small businesses.

 

HealthMarkets, Inc., a Delaware corporation incorporated in 1984, is a holding company, and we conduct our insurance businesses through our indirect, wholly-owned insurance company subsidiaries, The MEGA Life and Health Insurance Company (“MEGA”), Mid-West National Life Insurance Company of Tennessee (“Mid-West”), and The Chesapeake Life Insurance Company (“Chesapeake”). MEGA is an insurance company domiciled in Oklahoma and is licensed to issue health, life and annuity insurance policies in all states except New York. Mid-West is an insurance company domiciled in Texas and is licensed to issue health, life and annuity insurance policies in Puerto Rico and all states except Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont. Chesapeake is an insurance company domiciled in Oklahoma and is licensed to issue health and life insurance policies in all states except New Jersey, New York and Vermont. Effective December 1, 2007, the Company acquired Fidelity Life Insurance Company, an insurance company domiciled in Pennsylvania and licensed to issue health and life insurance policies.

 

On April 5, 2006, we completed a merger (the “Merger”) providing for the acquisition of the Company by affiliates of a group of private equity investors, including affiliates of The Blackstone Group, Goldman Sachs Capital Partners and DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (the “Private Equity Investors”). As a result of the Merger, holders of our common stock received $37.00 in cash per share. In the transaction, HealthMarkets’ public shareholders received aggregate consideration of $1.6 billion, of which $985.0 million was contributed as equity by the private equity investors. The balance of the Merger consideration was financed with the proceeds of a $500.0 million term loan facility, the proceeds of $100.0 million of trust preferred securities issued in a private placement, and Company cash on hand of $42.8 million. See Note 13 of Notes to Financial Statements.

 

On July 11, 2006 and December 1, 2006 we sold our former Star HRG Division and Student Insurance Division, respectively, resulting in total pre-tax gains of $201.7 million. We sold these businesses because they were not part of the fundamental long term focus of the Company. We are now generally focused on business opportunities that allow us to maximize the value of our dedicated agency sales force. See Note 2 of Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

Our principal executive offices are located at 9151 Boulevard 26, North Richland Hills, Texas 76180-5605, and our telephone number is (817) 255-5200.

 

As of March 12, 2008, approximately 86% of our common equity securities are held by affiliates of three private equity investors, and as such, we remain subject to the periodic reporting and other requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Our periodic SEC filings, including our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and if applicable, amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are available through our web site at www.healthmarkets.com free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC.

 

Overview

 

Through our Self-Employed Agency (“SEA”) Division, we offer a broad range of health insurance products for self-employed individuals and individuals who work for small businesses. Our basic hospital-medical and catastrophic hospital expense plans are designed to accommodate individual needs and include traditional fee-for-service indemnity plans and preferred provider organization (“PPO”) plans, as well as other supplemental types of coverage. Commencing in 2006, we began to offer on a selective state-by-state basis a new suite of health

insurance products to the self-employed and individual market, including a basic medical-surgical expense plan, catastrophic expense PPO plans and catastrophic expense consumer guided health plans.

 

We market these products to the self-employed and individual markets through independent contractor agents associated with UGA-Association Field Services (“UGA”) and Cornerstone America (“Cornerstone”),which are our “dedicated” agency sales forces that primarily sell the Company’s products. We believe that we have the largest direct selling organization in the health insurance field, with approximately 1,900 independent writing agents per week in the field selling health insurance to the self employed market in 44 states.

 

Through our Life Insurance Division, we also issue universal life, whole life and term life insurance products to individuals in four markets that we believe are underserved: the self-employed market, the middle income market, the Hispanic market and the senior market. We distribute these products directly to individual customers through our UGA and Cornerstone agents and other independent agents contracted through two key unaffiliated marketing companies. These two marketing companies, in turn, distribute our life products through managing general agent (MGA) networks.

 

ZON Re-USA, LLC (“ZON Re”) (an 82.5%-owned subsidiary) underwrites, administers and issues accidental death, accidental death and dismemberment (“AD&D”), accident medical, and accident disability insurance products, both on a primary and on a reinsurance basis. We distribute these products through professional reinsurance intermediaries and a network of independent commercial insurance agents, brokers and third party administrators (“TPAs”).

 

In 2007, we initiated efforts to expand into the Medicare market by establishing a Medicare Division. In the fourth quarter of 2007, we began offering a new portfolio of Medicare Advantage Private-Fee-for-Service Plans (“Medicare Advantage PFFS”) — called HealthMarkets Care Assured Plans^sm (“HMCA Plans”) — in selected markets in 29 states with coverage effective for January 1, 2008. Policies are issued by our Chesapeake subsidiary, under a contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”).

 

Our HMCA Plans are offered to Medicare eligible beneficiaries as a replacement for original Medicare and Medigap (Supplement) policies. They provide enrollees with the benefits they would receive under original Medicare, as well as certain additional benefits or benefit options, such as preventive care, pharmacy benefits and certain vision, dental and hearing services. Enrollees can obtain services from any Medicare-eligible provider who agrees to accept the HMCA Plan’s terms and conditions. Enrollees generally pay a premium in addition to the premium payable for original Medicare. The amount of the additional premium varies, based on the level of benefits and coverage. Our initial plan offerings include the HealthMarkets Care Assured Value Plan, which has a $3,500 annual maximum out-of-pocket for covered expenses, and the HealthMarkets Care Assured Premier Plan, which has a $1,500 annual maximum out-of-pocket for covered expenses. Each plan can be purchased with Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage as an optional benefit. Coinsurance and copayment requirements vary by plan and service received. Covered expenses are not subject to a deductible.

 

Our operating segments for financial reporting purposes include (a) the Insurance segment, which includes the businesses of the Company’s Self-Employed Agency Division, the Life Insurance Division and Other Insurance, (b) the Other Key Factors segment, which includes investment income not otherwise allocated to the Insurance segment, realized gains and losses on sale of investments, interest expense on corporate debt, variable stock-based compensation, costs associated with the Company’s Medicare Advantage PFFS market initiative, general expenses relating to corporate operations and, in 2006, the incremental costs associated with the acquisition of the Company by a group of private equity, and (c) the Disposed Operations segment, which includes the Company’s former Star HRG Division and former Student Insurance Division (which operations were sold on July 11, 2006 and December 1, 2006, respectively). See Note 19 of Notes to Financial Statements for financial information regarding our segments.

Ratings

 

Our principal insurance subsidiaries are rated by A.M. Best Company (“A.M. Best”), Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”) and Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”). Set forth below are financial strength ratings of the principal insurance subsidiaries.

 

 

In the table above, the A.M. Best and S&P ratings carry a “negative” outlook and the Fitch and S&P ratings carry a “stable” outlook.

 

In evaluating a company, independent rating agencies review such factors as the company’s capital adequacy, profitability, leverage and liquidity, book of business, quality and estimated market value of assets, adequacy of policy liabilities, experience and competency of management, and operating profile. A.M. Best’s ratings currently range from “A++ (Superior)” to “F (Liquidation).” A.M. Best’s ratings are based upon factors relevant to policyholders, agents, insurance brokers and intermediaries and are not directed to the protection of investors. Fitch’s ratings provide an overall assessment of an insurance company’s financial strength and security, and the ratings are used to support insurance carrier selection and placement decisions. Fitch’s ratings range from “AAA” (Exceptionally Strong) to “C” (Very Weak). S&P’s financial strength rating is a current opinion of the financial security characteristics of an insurance organization with respect to its ability to pay under its insurance policies and contracts in accordance with their terms. S&P’s financial strength ratings range from “AAA” (Extremely Strong) to “CC” (Extremely Weak).

 

A.M. Best has assigned to HealthMarkets, Inc. an issuer credit rating of “bbb-” (Good) with a “watch negative” outlook. A.M. Best’s issuer credit rating is a current opinion of an obligor’s ability to meet its senior obligations. A.M. Best’s issuer credit ratings range from “aaa” (Exceptional) to “d” (In Default).

 

Fitch has assigned to HealthMarkets, Inc. a long term issuer default rating of “BBB” (Good) with a “stable” outlook. Fitch’s long term issuer default rating is a current opinion of an obligor’s ability to meet all of its most senior financial obligations on a timely basis over the term of the obligation. Fitch’s long term issuer default ratings range from “AAA” (Exceptionally Strong) to “D” (Default).

 

S&P’s Rating Services has assigned to HealthMarkets, Inc. a counterparty credit rating of “BB+” (Less Vulnerable) with a “stable” outlook. S&P’s counterparty credit rating is a current opinion of an obligor’s overall financial capacity to pay its financial obligations. S&P’s counterparty credit ratings range from “AAA” (Extremely Strong) to “D” (Default).

 

Insurance Segment

 

Self-Employed Agency Division

 

Through our Self-Employed Agency Division, we offer a broad range of health insurance products for the individual and self-employed market (i.e., self-employed individuals and individuals who work for small businesses). These products are issued by our subsidiaries, MEGA and Mid-West, and are distributed by independent agents associated with MEGA’s and Mid-West’s marketing divisions. The Self-Employed Agency Division generated revenues of $1.418 billion, $1.462 billion and $1.526 billion, representing 89%, 68% and 72% of our total revenue in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. We currently have approximately 612,000 members insured or reinsured by the Company.

We offer a broad range of health insurance products for self-employed individuals and individuals who work for small businesses:

 

Our CareOne Product Suite

 

In the first quarter of 2006, the Company introduced and began offering its new CareOne product portfolio to the self-employed and individual market. In the 36 states where CareOne products have been introduced, they have replaced the Company’s traditional health insurance product offerings as the focus of new product sales.

 

The CareOne product portfolio includes a Basic Medical/Surgical Expense Plan, two versions of a Catastrophic Expense PPO Plan and two versions of a Catastrophic Expense Consumer Guided Health Plan:

 

 

In the second quarter of 2007, we began to offer HSA-compatible versions of our CareOne products. These plans — known as “high deductible health plans” — can be used with tax-advantaged health savings accounts for healthcare expenses. As of January 1, 2008, our HSA-compatible plans had been approved for issuance in 23 states.

 

Our Traditional Health Products

 

Our traditional health insurance plan offerings for the self-employed market have included the following:

 

 

Each of our traditional health insurance products is available with a “menu” of various options (including various deductible levels, coinsurance percentages and limited riders that cover particular events such as outpatient, accidents, and doctors’ visits), enabling the insurance product to be tailored to meet the insurance needs and the budgetary constraints of the policyholder. We offer as an optional benefit the Accumulated Covered Expense (“ACE”) rider that provides for catastrophic coverage on our Scheduled/Basic plans for covered expenses under the contract that generally exceed $100,000 or, in certain cases, $75,000. The rider pays benefits at 100% after the stop loss amount is reached, up to the aggregate maximum amount of the contract for expenses covered by the rider.

 

The Company has substantially ceased selling these traditional health insurance products although policy renewals continue. The Company intends over time to replace its traditional health insurance products with the CareOne products or other new products that the Company may introduce from time to time.

 

2008 New Product Introductions

 

In the first half of calendar 2008, the Company intends to introduce a new calendar year deductible-based PPO product called MEGA CareChoice^sm. The MEGA CareChoice product contains many of the same features as our CareOne and CareOne Plus Plans, but will eliminate many of the internal benefit limits that are associated with such plans.

 

Subject to receipt of applicable regulatory approvals, the Company anticipates that these products will be issued by our subsidiaries, MEGA, Mid-West and Fidelity Life, and will be distributed by independent agents associated with MEGA’s and Mid-West’s marketing divisions.

The Company evaluates new product offerings on an ongoing basis. In the future, we may offer new product lines, including product lines focused on markets not traditionally served by the Company.

 

Ancillary Products

 

We have also developed and offer ancillary product lines that provide protection against short-term disability, as well as a combination product that provides benefits for life, disability and critical illness. These products have been designed to further protect against risks to which our core customer is typically exposed.

 

In the third quarter of 2008, the Company intends to introduce a new suite of dental products that will offer more varied benefit options than the dental products they will replace. These products are intended to be sold both to purchasers of the Company’s health insurance products and on a stand-alone basis.

 

Third Party Product Distribution Arrangements

 

Our subsidiaries, MEGA and Mid-West, have entered into agreements to distribute health insurance products underwritten by other third-party insurance companies. The products sold under these arrangements focus on markets not traditionally served by the Company, including high risk customers. These products are distributed by independent insurance agents associated with MEGA’s and Mid-West’s marketing divisions. The Company evaluates new distribution arrangements on an ongoing basis and may, in the future, offer new third party products.

 

Marketing and Sales

 

Substantially all of the health insurance products issued by our insurance company subsidiaries are sold through independent contractor agents. We believe that we have the largest direct selling organization in the health insurance field, with approximately 1,900 independent writing agents per week in the field selling health insurance to the individual and self employed market.

 

Our agents are independent contractors, and all compensation that agents receive from us for the sale of insurance is based upon the agents’ levels of sales production. UGA — Association Field Services and Cornerstone America (the principal marketing divisions of MEGA and Mid-West) are each organized into geographical regions, with each geographical region having a regional director, two additional levels of field leaders and writing agents (i.e., the agents that are not involved in leadership of other agents).

 

UGA and Cornerstone are each responsible for the recruitment and training of their field leaders and writing agents. UGA and Cornerstone generally seek persons with previous sales experience. The process of recruiting agents is extremely competitive. We believe that the primary factors in successfully recruiting and retaining effective agents and field leaders are our practices regarding advances on commissions, the quality of the sales leads provided to agents, the availability and accessibility of equity ownership plans, the quality of the products offered, proper training and agent incentives and support. Classroom and field training with respect to product content is required and made available to the agents under the direction of our regulated insurance subsidiaries.

 

We provide health insurance products to consumers in the individual and self-employed market in 44 states. As is the case with many of our competitors in this market, a substantial portion of our products is issued to members of various independent membership associations that act as the master policyholder for such products. The two principal membership associations in the self-employed market that make available to their members our health insurance products are the National Association for the Self-Employed and the Alliance for Affordable Services. The associations provide their membership access to a number of benefits and products, including health insurance underwritten by us. Subject to applicable state law, individuals generally may not obtain insurance under an association’s master policy unless they are also members of the association. The agreements with these associations, requiring the associations to continue as the master policyholder for our policies and to make our products available to their respective members, are terminable by us and the associations upon not less than one year’s advance notice to the other party. While we believe that we are providing association group coverage in full compliance with applicable law, changes in our relationship with the membership associations and/or changes in the laws and regulations governing so-called “association group” insurance (particularly changes that would subject the issuance

of policies to prior premium rate approval and/or require the issuance of policies on a “guaranteed issue” basis) could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operations and/or business.

 

UGA agents and Cornerstone agents also act as field service representatives (“FSRs”) for the associations. In this capacity the FSRs enroll new association members and provide membership retention services. For such services, we and the FSRs receive compensation. One of our subsidiaries, HealthMarkets Lead Marketing Group Inc. (“LMG”), serves as our direct marketing group and generates new membership sales prospect leads for both UGA and Cornerstone for use by the FSRs (agents). LMG also provides video and print services to the associations. In addition to health insurance premiums derived from the sale of health insurance, we receive fee income from the associations, including fees associated with enrollment and member retention services, fees for association membership marketing and administrative services and fees for certain association member benefits.

 

LMG generates sales prospect leads for UGA and Cornerstone for use by their agents. LMG administers a call center (located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) staffing approximately 55 tele-service representatives. Leads are also obtained from third party sources. LMG has developed a marketing pool of approximately fifteen million prospects from various data sources. Prospects initially identified by LMG that are self-employed, small business owners or individuals may become a “qualified lead” by responding through one of LMG’s lead channels and by expressing an interest in learning more about health insurance. We believe that UGA and Cornerstone agents, possessing the qualified leads’ contact information, are able to achieve a higher “close” rate than is the case with unqualified prospects.

 

Policy Design and Claims Management

 

Our traditional health insurance products are principally designed to limit coverages to the occurrence of significant events that require hospitalization. This policy design, which includes high deductibles, reduces the number of covered claims requiring processing, thereby serving as a control on administrative expenses. We seek to price our products in a manner that accurately reflects our underwriting assumptions and targeted margins, and we rely on the marketing capabilities of our dedicated agency sales forces to sell these products at prices consistent with these objectives.

 

We maintain administrative centers with full underwriting, claims management and administrative capabilities. We believe that by processing our own claims we can better assure that claims are properly processed and can utilize the claims information to periodically modify the benefits and coverages afforded under our policies.

 

We have also developed an actuarial data warehouse, which is a critical risk management tool that provides our actuaries with rapid access to detailed exposure, claim and premium data. This analysis tool enhances the actuaries’ ability to design, monitor and adequately price the Self-Employed Agency Division’s insurance products.

 

Provider Network Arrangements and Cost Management Measures

 

The Company utilizes a number of cost management programs to help it and its customers control medical costs. These measures include maintaining contracts with selected PPO provider networks through which our customers may obtain discounts on hospital and physician services that would otherwise not be available. Provider networks are made available on a regional basis, based on the coverage and discounts available within a particular geographic region. In situations where a customer does not obtain services from a contracted provider, the Company applies various usual and customary fees, which limit the amount paid to providers within specific geographic areas. We believe that access to provider network contracts is a critical factor in controlling medical costs, since there is often a significant difference between a network-negotiated rate and the non-discounted rate.

 

The Company utilizes other means to control medical costs, including providing customers with access to “supplemental” network discounts if savings are not obtained through a primary provider network contract; use of pre- and post-payment fee negotiation services; and use of code editing programs that evaluate claims prior to adjudication for inappropriate billing.

 

In 2007, approximately 90% of submitted medical claims were impacted by these programs, with an average discount received of 31%.

In addition, to control prescription drug costs, the Company maintains a contract with a pharmacy benefits management company that has approximately 60,000 participating pharmacies nationwide. We also utilize co-payments, coinsurance, deductibles and annual limits to manage prescription drug costs.

 

Life Insurance Division

 

Our Life Insurance Division offers life insurance products to individuals. At December 31, 2007, the Life Insurance Division (which is based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) had over $6.8 billion of net life insurance in force and over 270,000 individual policyholders. The Life Insurance Division generated revenues of $92.0 million, $87.8 million and $83.0 million (representing 6%, 4% and 4% of our total revenue) in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

 

Markets Served

 

The Life Insurance Division offers its life insurance products to demographically growing market segments that we have identified as underserved, including the self-employed market, the middle-income market, the Hispanic market and the senior market.

 

Products

 

The Life Insurance Division’s products are tailored to meet the specific needs of customers in each of its targeted markets. We offer universal life insurance and term life insurance products to individuals in the self-employed market. We offer two other universal life insurance products and other term life insurance products to meet the needs of individuals in the middle-income and the Hispanic markets. We also offer whole life insurance products (level, graded and modified) to assist seniors in meeting their needs to cover final expenses.

 

Distribution

 

The Life Insurance Division distributes its insurance products primarily through internal and external distribution channels. Commencing in the second quarter of 2002, our UGA and Cornerstone agents began to market our universal life insurance and term life insurance products to individuals in the self-employed market. In 2003, the Life Insurance Division also entered into new marketing relationships with two independent marketing companies to distribute our universal life insurance, term life insurance and whole life insurance products through networks of managing general agents (MGAs). One marketing company offers universal life insurance and term life insurance products to middle-income buyers and through agencies that specialize in sales to Hispanic buyers. The second marketing company offers our whole life insurance product line exclusively to seniors. At year-end 2007, these two marketing organizations had contracted over 13,000 independent agents to distribute our products.

 

Marketing and Sales

 

With the help of agents associated with UGA and Cornerstone, the Life Insurance Division seeks to leverage our significant health insurance customer base by positioning itself to offer those customers (self-employed individuals) universal life insurance and term life insurance products designed to fit their changing needs. The two independent marketing companies that we have contracted with offer universal life insurance and term life insurance product lines through their agents to cover the needs of the middle-income market, the Hispanic market and the senior market. The Life Insurance Division has also developed a needs analysis software selling system, “Blueprint for Life^®.” This selling tool allows the agent to accurately and quickly identify the amount of insurance that should be carried by an individual. We believe that the “Blueprint for Life^®” provides a valuable service to the middle-income buyer, who has often been overlooked or underserved by other distributors of life insurance products.

 

Other Insurance

 

Through our 82.5%-owned subsidiary, ZON Re, we underwrite, administer and issue accidental death, AD&D, accident medical and accident disability insurance products, both on a primary and on a reinsurance basis. In the year ended December 31, 2007, ZON Re generated revenues of $31.9 million and operating income of $7.9 million.

ZON Re underwrites and manages a portfolio of personal accident reinsurance programs on behalf of MEGA for primary life, accident and health and property and casualty insurers that wish to transfer risks associated with certain types of primary personal accident insurance programs. Accident reinsurance provides reimbursement to primary insurance carriers for covered losses resulting from accidental bodily injury or accidental death. For its reinsurance clients, ZON Re targets national, regional and middle market insurers in the United States and select international markets. ZON Re distributes accident reinsurance products through a network of professional reinsurance intermediaries. ZON Re underwrites both treaty and facultative accident reinsurance programs, which may be offered on either a quota share or excess of loss basis. The Company has determined, as a matter of policy, that MEGA’s exposure on any single reinsurance contract issued by it and underwritten by ZON Re will not exceed $1.0 million per person and $10.0 million per event.

 

ZON Re also underwrites and distributes a limited portfolio of primary accident insurance products issued by Chesapeake. These products are designed for direct purchase by banks, associations, employers and affinity groups and are distributed through a national network of independent commercial insurance agents, brokers and third party administrators. The Company has determined, as a matter of policy, that Chesapeake’s maximum exposure on any single primary insurance contract issued by it and underwritten by ZON Re will not exceed $1.0 million per person.

 

Ceded Reinsurance

 

Our insurance subsidiaries reinsure portions of the coverages provided by their insurance products with other insurance companies on both an excess-of-loss and coinsurance basis. The maximum retention by us on one individual in the case of life insurance is $200,000 for MEGA, Mid-West and Chesapeake. We use reinsurance for our health insurance business solely for limited purposes. Reinsurance agreements are intended to limit an insurer’s maximum loss.

 

Competition

 

In each of our lines of business, we compete with other insurance companies or service providers, depending on the line and product, although we have no single competitor who competes against us in all of the business lines in which we operate. With respect to the business of our Self-Employed Agency Division, the market is characterized by many competitors, and our main competitors include health insurance companies, health maintenance organizations and the Blue Cross/Blue Shield plans in the states in which we write business. While we are among the largest competitors in terms of market share in some of our business lines, in some cases there are one or more major market players in a particular line of business.

 

Competition in our businesses is based on many factors, including quality of service, product features, price, scope of distribution, scale, financial strength ratings and name recognition. We compete, and will continue to compete, for customers and distributors with many insurance companies and other financial services companies. We compete not only for business and individual customers, employer and other group customers, but also for agents and distribution relationships. Some of our competitors may offer a broader array of products than our specific subsidiaries with which they compete in particular markets, may have a greater diversity of distribution resources, may have better brand recognition, may, from time to time, have more competitive pricing, may have lower cost structures or, with respect to insurers, may have higher financial strength or claims paying ratings. Organizations with sizable market share or provider-owned plans may be able to obtain favorable financial arrangements from healthcare providers that are not available to us. Some may also have greater financial resources with which to compete. In addition, from time to time, companies enter and exit the markets in which we operate, thereby increasing competition at times when there are new entrants. For example, several large insurance companies have recently entered the market for individual health insurance products and/or consumer guided health plans. We may lose business to competitors offering competitive products at lower prices, or for other reasons, which could materially adversely affect our future results of operations and financial condition.

Regulatory and Legislative Matters

 

Insurance Regulation

 

State Regulation — General

 

Our insurance subsidiaries are subject to extensive regulation in their states of domicile and the other states in which they do business under statutes that typically delegate broad regulatory, supervisory and administrative powers to insurance departments. The method of regulation varies, but the subject matter of such regulation covers, among other things, the amount of dividends and other distributions that can be paid by the insurance subsidiaries without prior approval or notification; the granting and revoking of licenses to transact business; trade practices, including with respect to the protection of consumers; disclosure requirements; privacy standards; minimum loss ratios; premium rate regulation; underwriting standards; approval of policy forms; claims payment; licensing of insurance agents and the regulation of their conduct; the amount and type of investments that the insurance subsidiaries may hold, minimum reserve and surplus requirements; risk-based capital requirements; and compelled participation in, and assessments in connection with, risk sharing pools and guaranty funds. Such regulation is intended to protect policyholders rather than investors.

 

State regulation of health insurance products varies from state to state, although all states regulate premium rates, policy forms and underwriting and claims practices to one degree or another. Most states have special rules for health insurance sold to individuals and small groups. Every state has also adopted legislation that would make health insurance available to all small employer groups by requiring coverage of all employees and their dependents, by limiting the applicability of pre-existing conditions exclusions, by requiring insurers to offer a basic plan exempt from certain benefits as well as a standard plan, or by establishing a mechanism to spread the risk of high risk employees to all small group insurers.

 

Various states have, from time to time, proposed and/or enacted changes to the healthcare system that could affect the relationship between health insurers and their customers. For example, effective July 1, 2007, Massachusetts law requires all residents to obtain minimum levels of health insurance and requires employers with 11 or more full time employees to pay an assessment if they do not offer health insurance to these employees. Other states have adopted or are considering the adoption of laws intended to require minimum levels of health insurance for previously uninsured residents, including “play or pay” laws requiring that employers either offer health insurance or pay a tax to cover the costs of public healthcare insurance. We cannot predict with certainty the effect that the Massachusetts law, or proposed legislation in other states, if adopted, could have on our insurance businesses and operations.

 

A number of states have enacted other new health insurance legislation over the past several years. These laws, among other things, mandate benefits with respect to certain diseases or medical procedures, require health insurers to offer an independent external review of certain coverage decisions and establish health insurer liability. There has also been an increase in legislation regarding, among other things, prompt payment of claims, privacy of personal health information, health insurer liability, prohibition against insurers including discretionary clauses in their policy forms and relationships between health insurers and providers. We expect that this trend of increased legislation will continue. These laws may have the effect of increasing our costs and expenses.

 

We provide health insurance products to consumers in the individual and self-employed market. As is the case with many of our competitors in this market, a substantial portion of our products are issued to members of various independent membership associations that act as the master policyholder for such products. During 2004, we, and our insurance company subsidiaries, resolved a nationwide class action lawsuit challenging the nature of the relationship between our insurance companies and the membership associations that make available to their members our insurance companies’ health insurance products. A number of additional lawsuits challenging the nature of the relationship between our insurance companies and such membership associations are ongoing. See Note 17 of Notes to Financial Statements. While we believe that we are providing association group coverage in full compliance with applicable law, changes in our relationship with the membership associations and/or changes in the laws and regulations governing association group insurance (particularly changes that would subject the issuance of policies to prior premium rate approval and/or require the issuance of policies on a “guaranteed issue” basis) could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operations and/or business.

Many states have also enacted insurance holding company laws that require registration and periodic reporting by insurance companies controlled by other corporations. Such laws vary from state to state, but typically require periodic disclosure concerning the corporation that controls the controlled insurer and prior notice to, or approval by, the applicable regulator of inter-corporate transfers of assets and other transactions (including payments of dividends in excess of specified amounts by the controlled insurer) within the holding company system. Such laws often also require the prior approval for the acquisition of a significant ownership interest (i.e., 10% or more) in the insurance holding company. HealthMarkets (the holding company) and our insurance subsidiaries are subject to such laws, and we believe that we and such subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with all applicable insurance holding company laws and regulations.

 

Under the risk-based capital initiatives adopted in 1992 by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”), insurance companies must calculate and report information under a risk-based capital formula. Risk-based capital formulas are intended to evaluate risks associated with asset quality, adverse insurance experience, losses from asset and liability mismatching, and general business hazards. This information is intended to permit regulators to identify and require remedial action for inadequately capitalized insurance companies, but it is not designed to rank adequately capitalized companies. At December 31, 2007, the risk-based capital ratio of each of our domestic insurance subsidiaries significantly exceeded the ratio for which regulatory corrective action would be required.

 

The states in which our insurance subsidiaries are licensed have the authority to change the minimum mandated statutory loss ratios to which they are subject, the manner in which these ratios are computed and the manner in which compliance with these ratios is measured and enforced. Loss ratios are commonly defined as incurred claims as a percentage of earned premiums. Most states in which our insurance subsidiaries write insurance have adopted the minimum loss ratios recommended by the NAIC, but frequently the loss ratio regulations do not apply to the types of health insurance issued by our subsidiaries. A number of states are considering the adoption of, or have adopted, laws that would mandate minimum statutory loss ratios, or increase existing minimum statutory loss ratios, for the products we offer. For example, on July 1, 2007, California regulations became effective that will require a minimum medical loss ratio of 70% for health insurance issued after that date, as well as business issued prior to that date if it is subject to a rate revision. We are unable to predict the impact of (i) any changes in the mandatory statutory loss ratios for individual or group policies to which we may become subject, or (ii) any change in the manner in which these minimums are computed or enforced in the future. Such changes could result in a narrowing of profit margins and adversely affect our business and results of operations. We have filed new products intended to address the California minimum medical loss ratio requirements that became effective on July 1, 2007. Our ability to offer these products is subject to receipt of applicable regulatory approvals, and there can be no assurance that approvals will be received. In the event that we are not in compliance with minimum statutory loss ratios mandated by regulatory authorities with respect to certain policies, we may be required to reduce or refund premiums, which could have a material adverse effect upon our business and results of operations.

 

The NAIC and state insurance departments are continually reexamining existing laws and regulations, including those related to reducing the risk of insolvency and related accreditation standards. To date, the increase in solvency-related oversight has not had a significant impact on our insurance business.

 

State Regulation — Financial and Market Conduct Examinations

 

Our insurance subsidiaries are required to file detailed annual statements with the state insurance regulatory departments and are subject to periodic financial and market conduct examinations by such departments. The Oklahoma Insurance Department (the regulator of MEGA’s and Chesapeake’s domicile state) and the Texas Department of Insurance (the regulator of Mid-West’s state of domicile) are currently performing the regularly scheduled tri-annual financial exams for the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

State insurance departments have also periodically conducted and continue to conduct market conduct examinations of HealthMarkets’ insurance subsidiaries. In March 2005, HealthMarkets received notification that the Market Analysis Working Group of the NAIC had chosen the states of Washington and Alaska to lead a multi-state market conduct examination of HealthMarkets’ principal insurance subsidiaries (the “Insurance Subsidiaries”) for the examination period January 1, 2000 through December 31, 2005. Thirty-six states have elected to

participate in the examination. The examiners have completed the onsite phases of the examination and issued a final examination report on December 20, 2007. See Note 17 of Notes to Financial Statements.

 

The findings of the final examination report cite deficiencies in five major areas of operation: (i) insufficient training of agents and lack of oversight of agent activities, (ii) deficient claims handling practices, (iii) insufficient disclosure of the relationship with affiliates and the membership associations, (iv) deficient handling of complaints and grievances, and (v) failure to maintain a formal corporate compliance plan and centralized corporate compliance department.

 

In connection with the issuance of the final examination report, the Washington Office of Insurance Commissioner issued an order adopting the findings of the final examination report and ordering the Insurance Subsidiaries to comply with certain required actions set forth in the report. The order requires the Insurance Subsidiaries to file a detailed report specifying how they have addressed each of the requirements of the order and another report outlining, by examination area, all business reforms, improvements and changes to policies and procedures.

 

During 2004, in response to state specific examination findings, the Insurance Subsidiaries began making significant changes to their structure and operational processes. These changes included the enhancement of agent training and oversight programs, the reorganization and consolidation of the Company’s compliance department, the adoption of additional methods to monitor agent sales activities, the implementation of a benefits confirmation telephone call program to obtain further assurances that customers understand their health insurance coverage and the creation of a Regulatory Advisory Panel consisting of former regulators to provide objective advice to the Board and management. We believe our insurance subsidiaries have effectively addressed or are in the process of addressing many of the findings identified in the final examination report. Many of these enhancements occurred after the examination period and are therefore not reflected in the examination report findings.

 

Following the issuance of the final examination report, the multi-state market conduct examination entered the “settlement” phase, during which the states participating in this phase are developing a settlement proposal to close out the examination. Such a settlement could potentially include, among other things, substantial monetary assessments (portions of which may be contingent), and a requirement that the Insurance Subsidiaries take certain actions, subject to monitoring by certain states participating in the examination. There can be no assurance that a settlement of this matter will be achieved or that, if achieved, all states participating in the examination would approve the terms of such a settlement. Based on initial preliminary communications with the states participating in the settlement phase, the Company has recorded an expense of $20 million as of December 31, 2007. Depending on the final outcome of the settlement phase, including the ultimate disposition of any contingent portion of a final monetary assessment, the actual amount incurred by the Company could vary from this current provision in an amount that is material to the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

 

MEGA was named as a defendant in an action filed on November 15, 2007 by the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Maine Bureau of Insurance (In Re: MEGA Life and Health Insurance Company Rates For Individual Plans) pending before the Superintendent of the Maine Bureau of Insurance, Docket No. Ins-07-1010. The Maine Attorney General moved to intervene and was granted status as a party to the action. The action was initiated to determine whether MEGA is in compliance with Maine’s requirement that rates for health insurance not be excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory as set forth in 24-A M.R.S.A § 2736-C(5) and Maine Rule Ch. 940, § 8(A). On March 21, 2008, MEGA, the Maine Bureau of Insurance and the Attorney General agreed on a preliminary basis to settle the action on terms that would not have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations and would not require MEGA to admit wrongdoing, liability or violation of law. The settlement is not final and discovery is ongoing.

 

On December 6, 2006, MEGA, Mid-West and Chesapeake entered into a settlement agreement with the Massachusetts Division of Insurance (MA DOI) upon the conclusion of a market conduct examination by the MA DOI. The examination consisted of a review of the operations of MEGA, Mid-West and Chesapeake for small group health insurance issued to Massachusetts certificate holders for the period January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2004. The settlement agreement provides, among other things, for changes in certain Company operations and procedures, including those related to claims handling, complaints and grievances, marketing and sales and underwriting. In addition, MEGA, Mid-West and Chesapeake agreed to conduct a claims reassessment process, pursuant to which

the companies are contacting certain Massachusetts claimants and offering to reassess certain denied claims based on specific codes identified by the MA DOI. The reassessment covers claims for the period January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2004, as well as claims on certificates issued through April 30, 2005 or renewed through July 31, 2005 to the date of their first renewal or lapse. The claims reassessment is ongoing and the MA DOI continues to evaluate the Company’s compliance with the terms of the settlement agreement. In entering the settlement, the Company did not admit, deny or concede any actual or potential fault, wrongdoing, liability or violation of law. The MA DOI will not impose fines or take other action against the Company unless the Company fails to complete the required actions set forth in the settlement agreement or unless additional material information related to the required actions becomes available to the MA DOI. The Company believes that the terms of the settlement will not have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s consolidated financial condition or result of operations.

 

In addition to the multi-state and Massachusetts market conduct examinations, MEGA, Mid-West and/or Chesapeake are subject to various other pending market conduct and other regulatory examinations, inquiries or proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. State insurance regulatory agencies have authority to levy monetary fines and penalties resulting from findings made during the course of such matters. Historically, our insurance subsidiaries have, from time to time, been subject to such fines and penalties, none of which, individually or in the aggregate, have had a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. However, the multi-state examination and other regulatory examinations, inquiries or proceedings could result in, among other things, changes in business practices that require the Company to incur substantial costs. Such results, singly or in combination, could injure our reputation, cause negative publicity, adversely affect our debt and financial strength ratings, place us at a competitive disadvantage in marketing or administering our products, or impair our ability to sell or retain insurance policies, thereby adversely affecting our business, and potentially materially adversely affecting the results of operations in a period, depending on the results of operations for the particular period. Determination by regulatory authorities that we have engaged in improper conduct could also adversely affect our defense of various lawsuits.

 

Federal Regulation

 

In 1945, the U.S. Congress enacted the McCarran-Ferguson Act, which declared the regulation of insurance to be primarily the responsibility of the individual states. Although repeal of McCarran-Ferguson is debated in the U.S. Congress from time to time, the federal government generally does not directly regulate the insurance business. However, federal legislation and administrative policies in several areas, including healthcare (including Medicare), pension regulation, age and sex discrimination, financial services regulation, securities regulation, privacy laws, terrorism and federal taxation, do affect the insurance business.

 

Privacy Regulations

 

The use, disclosure and secure handling of individually identifiable health information by our business is subject to federal regulations, including the privacy provisions of the federal Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and the privacy and security regulations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”). In addition, our privacy and security practices are subject to various state law and regulations.

 

HIPAA includes requirements for maintaining the confidentiality and security of individually identifiable health information and new standards for electronic healthcare transactions. The Department of Health and Human Services promulgated final HIPAA regulations in 2002. The privacy regulations required compliance by April 2003, the electronic transactions regulations by October 2003, and the security regulations by April 2005. As have other entities in the healthcare industry, we have incurred substantial costs in meeting the requirements of these HIPAA regulations and expect to continue to incur costs to maintain compliance. We have worked diligently to comply with these regulations within the time periods required and believe that we have complied.

 

HIPAA also requires certain guaranteed issuance and renewability of health insurance coverage for individuals and small employer groups (generally 50 or fewer employees) and limits exclusions based on pre-existing conditions.

 

HIPAA and other federal and state privacy regulations continue to evolve as a result of new legislation, regulations and judicial and administrative interpretations. Consequently, our efforts to measure, monitor and adjust

our business practices to comply with these requirements are ongoing. Failure to comply could result in regulatory fines and civil lawsuits. Knowing and intentional violations of these rules may also result in federal criminal penalties.

 

CAN SPAM Act and Do Not Call Regulations

 

From time to time, the Company utilizes, either directly or through third party vendors, e-mail and telephone calls to identify prospective sales leads for use by our agents. The federal CAN SPAM Act, which became effective January 1, 2004 and is administered and enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, establishes national standards for sending bulk, unsolicited commercial e-mail. While targeting and prohibiting e-marketers to send unsolicited commercial e-mail with falsified headers, the CAN SPAM Act permits the use of unsolicited commercial e-mail if and as long as the message contains an opt-out mechanism, a functioning return e-mail address, a valid subject line indicating the e-mail is an advertisement and the legitimate physical address of the mailer. The Company is also required to comply with federal “Do Not Call” regulations, which require insurance companies to develop their own “do not call” lists and reference state and federal “do not call” registries before making calls to market insurance products.

 

While the Company has taken what it believes are reasonable steps to ensure that it, and the various third party vendors with which it does business, are in full compliance with these requirements, failure to comply could result in regulatory fines and civil lawsuits.

 

USA PATRIOT Act

 

On October 26, 2001, the International Money Laundering Abatement and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act of 2001 was enacted into law as part of the USA PATRIOT Act. The law requires, among other things, that financial institutions adopt anti-money laundering programs that include policies, procedures and controls to detect and prevent money laundering, designate a compliance officer to oversee the program and provide for employee training, and periodic audits in accordance with regulations proposed by the U.S. Treasury Department. Treasury regulations governing portions of our life insurance business require that we maintain procedures designed to detect and prevent money laundering and terrorist financing. We remain subject to U.S. regulations that prohibit business dealings with entities identified as threats to national security. We have licensed software to enable us to detect and prevent such activities in compliance with existing regulations and we continually evaluate our policies and procedures to comply with these regulations.

 

Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974

 

The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA), regulates how goods and services are provided to or through certain types of employer-sponsored health benefit plans. ERISA is a set of laws and regulations subject to periodic interpretation by the United Stated Department of Labor (DOL) as well as the federal courts. ERISA places controls on how our insurance subsidiaries may do business with employers who sponsor employee health benefit plans. We believe that many of our products are not subject to ERISA because they are offered to and used by individuals, self-employed persons or employers with less than two participants who are employees as of the start of any plan year. However, some of our products or services may be subject to the ERISA regulations. During 2005 and 2006, we received inquiries from the Boston and Dallas offices of the DOL that alleged, among other things, that certain policy forms in use by our insurance subsidiaries are not ERISA compliant. We are addressing this matter with the DOL and do not believe that its resolution will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. See Note 17 of Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Medicare

 

We are subject to federal regulations as a result of our initiative to expand into the Medicare market. Medicare is a complex and highly regulated federal program that provides eligible persons age 65 and over and some disabled persons a variety of hospital and medical insurance benefits. Our Chesapeake subsidiary provides services to Medicare beneficiaries under a contract with CMS. CMS performs audits of each health plan operating under a Medicare contract to determine the plan’s compliance with federal regulations and contractual obligations. These

audits include review of the plan’s administration and management, including marketing, enrollment and disenrollment activities, claims processing and complaint systems and management information and data collection systems. CMS regulations also require submission of annual financial statements. Failure to comply with the Medicare regulations could subject us to significant penalties and could affect our ability to operate under the Medicare program.

 

Legislative Developments

 

Legislation has been introduced in the U.S. Congress which would allow residents of any state to purchase health insurance approved by the regulators in any other state. Such legislation would allow persons to avoid certain mandates or other requirements of their state of residence in favor of less expensive policies in another state. We do not believe that such legislation will be enacted during the current Congressional term.

 

Numerous proposals to reform the current healthcare system have been introduced in the U.S. Congress and in various state legislatures. Proposals have included, among other things, modifications to the existing employer-based insurance system, a quasi-regulated system of “managed competition” among health insurers and a single-payer, public program. Changes in healthcare policy could significantly affect our business. For example, federally mandated, comprehensive major medical insurance, if proposed and implemented, could partially or fully replace some of our current products. Furthermore, legislation has been introduced from time to time in the U.S. Congress that could result in the federal government assuming a more direct role in regulating insurance companies.

 

There is also legislation pending in the U.S. Congress and in various states designed to provide additional privacy protections to customers of financial institutions. These statutes and similar legislation and regulations in the United States or other jurisdictions could affect our ability to market our products or otherwise limit the nature or scope of our insurance operations.

 

The NAIC and individual states have been studying small face amount life insurance in recent years. Some initiatives that have been raised at the NAIC include further disclosure for small face amount policies and restrictions on premium to benefit ratios. The NAIC is also studying other issues such as “suitability” of insurance products for certain customers. This may have an effect on our pre-funded funeral insurance business. Suitability requirements such as a customer assets and needs worksheet could extend and complicate the sale of pre-funded funeral insurance products. Individual states are also considering changes to minimum loss ratios which could alter policy forms and rates and/or distribution systems.

 

We are unable to evaluate new legislation that may be proposed and when or whether any such legislation will be enacted and implemented. However, many of the proposals, if adopted, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, cash flows or results of operations, while others, if adopted, could potentially benefit our business.

 

Employees

 

We had approximately 2,000 employees at December 31, 2007. We consider our employee relations to be good. Agents associated with MEGA’s UGA and Mid-West’s Cornerstone field forces are independent contractors and are not employees of the Company.

 

Executive Officers of the Company

 

The Chairman of the Company is elected, and all other executive officers listed below are appointed, by the Board of Directors of the Company at its Annual Meeting each year or by the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors to hold office until the next Annual Meeting or until their successors are elected or appointed. None of these officers have family relationships with any other executive officer or director.

 

 

 

The following factors could impact our business and financial prospects:

 

We may lose business to competitors offering competitive products at lower prices.

 

We compete, and will continue to compete, for customers and distributors with many insurance companies and other financial services companies. We compete not only for business and individual customers, employer and other group customers, but also for agents and distribution relationships. Our competitors may offer a broader array of products than we do, have a greater diversity of distribution resources, have better brand recognition, have more competitive pricing or have higher financial strength or claims paying ratings. Competitors with sizable market share or provider-owned plans may be able to obtain favorable financial arrangements from healthcare providers that are not available to us.

 

Failure to accurately estimate medical claims and healthcare costs may have a significant impact on our business and results of operation.

 

If we are unable to accurately estimate medical claims and control healthcare costs, our results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. We estimate the cost of future medical claims and other expenses using actuarial methods based upon historical data, medical inflation, product mix, seasonality, utilization of healthcare services and other relevant factors. We establish premiums based on these methods. The premiums we charge our customers generally are fixed for six-month or one-year periods, and costs we incur in excess of our medical claim projections generally are not recovered in the contract year through higher premiums.

 

Failure of our insurance subsidiaries to maintain their current insurance ratings could materially adversely affect our business and results of operations.

 

Our principal insurance subsidiaries are currently rated by A.M. Best, Fitch and S&P. If our insurance subsidiaries are not able to maintain their current rating by A.M. Best, Fitch and/or S&P, our results of operations could be materially adversely affected. Decreases in operating performance and other financial measures may result in a downward adjustment of the rating of our insurance subsidiaries assigned by A.M. Best, Fitch or S&P. Other factors beyond our control, such as general downward economic cycles and changes implemented by the rating agencies, including changes in the criteria for the underwriting or the capital adequacy model, may also result in a decrease in the rating. A downward adjustment in rating by A.M. Best, Fitch and/or S&P of our insurance subsidiaries could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

 

Changes in our relationship with membership associations that make available to their members our health insurance products and/or changes in the laws and regulations governing so-called “association group” insurance could materially adversely affect our business and results of operations.

 

As is the case with many of our competitors in the self-employed market, a substantial portion of our health insurance products are issued to members of various independent membership associations that act as the master policyholder for such products. The two principal membership associations in the self-employed market that make available to their members our health insurance products are the National Association for the Self-Employed and the Alliance for Affordable Services. The associations provide their members access to a number of benefits and products, including health insurance underwritten by us. Subject to applicable state law, individuals generally may not obtain insurance under an association’s master policy unless they are also members of the association. The

agreements with these associations requiring the associations to continue as the master policyholder for our policies and to make our products available to their respective members are terminable by us or the association upon not less than one year’s advance notice to the other party.

 

MEGA’s UGA agents and Mid-West’s Cornerstone America agents also act as field service representatives (FSRs) for the associations. In this capacity, the FSRs enroll new association members and provide membership retention services. For such services, we and the FSRs receive compensation. One of our subsidiaries, HealthMarkets Lead Marketing Group, Inc., serves as our direct marketing group and generates new membership sales prospect leads for both UGA and Cornerstone for use by the FSRs. HealthMarkets Lead Marketing Group also provides video and print services to the associations. In addition to health insurance premiums derived from the sale of health insurance, we receive fee income from the associations, including fees associated with enrollment and member retention services, fees for association membership marketing and administrative services and fees for certain association member benefits.

 

While we believe that we are providing association group coverage in full compliance with applicable law, changes in our relationship with the membership associations and/or changes in the laws and regulations governing so-called “association group” insurance, particularly changes that would subject the issuance of policies to prior premium rate approval and/or require the issuance of policies on a “guaranteed issue” basis, could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operations and/or business.

 

Our domestic insurance subsidiaries are currently the subject of a multi-state market conduct examination, and an adverse finding or outcome from that examination could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

 

In March 2005, we received notification that the Market Analysis Working Group of the NAIC had chosen the states of Washington and Alaska to lead a multi-state market conduct examination of our principal insurance subsidiaries, The MEGA Life and Health Insurance Company, Mid-West National Life Insurance Company of Tennessee and The Chesapeake Life Insurance Company. The examiners completed the onsite phases of the examination and issued a final examination report on December 20, 2007. See Note 17 of Notes to Financial Statements.

 

The Company’s insurance subsidiaries are subject to various other pending market conduct and other regulatory examinations, inquiries or proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. State insurance regulatory agencies have authority to levy significant fines and penalties and require remedial action resulting from findings made during the course of such matters. Historically, our insurance subsidiaries have from time to time been subject to such fines and penalties, none of which individually or in the aggregate have had a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. However, the multi-state examination and other regulatory examinations, inquiries or proceedings could result in, among other things, changes in business practices that require the Company to incur substantial costs. Such results, singly or in combination, could injure our reputation, cause negative publicity, adversely affect our debt and financial strength ratings, place us at a competitive disadvantage in marketing or administering our products, or impair our ability to sell or retain insurance policies, thereby adversely affecting our business, and potentially materially adversely affecting the results of operations in a period, depending on the results of operations for the particular period. Determination by regulatory authorities that we have engaged in improper conduct could also adversely affect our defense of various lawsuits.

 

Negative publicity regarding our business practices and about the health insurance industry in general may harm our business and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

 

The health and life insurance industry and related products and services we provide attracts negative publicity from consumer advocate groups and the media. Negative publicity regarding the industry generally or our Company in particular may result in increased regulation and legislative scrutiny as well as increased litigation, which may further increase our costs of doing business and adversely affect our profitability by impeding our ability to market our products and services, requiring us to change our products or services or increasing the regulatory burdens under which we operate.

Our failure to secure and enhance cost-effective healthcare provider network contracts may result in a loss of insureds and/or higher medical costs and adversely affect our results of operations.

 

Our results of operations and competitive position could be adversely affected by our inability to enter into or maintain satisfactory relationships with networks of hospitals, physicians, dentists, pharmacies and other healthcare providers. The failure to secure cost-effective healthcare provider network contracts or the inability to maintain “rental” access to health care provider networks may result in a loss of insureds or higher medical costs. In addition, the inability to contract with provider networks, the inability to terminate contracts with existing provider networks and enter into arrangements with new provider networks to serve the same market, and/or the inability of providers to provide adequate care, could adversely affect our results of operations.

 

HealthMarkets’ inability to obtain funds from its insurance subsidiaries may cause it to experience reduced cash flow, which could affect the Company’s ability to pay its obligations to creditors as they become due.

 

We are a holding company, and our principal assets are our investments in our separate operating subsidiaries, including our regulated insurance subsidiaries. Our ability to fund our cash requirements is largely dependent upon our ability to access cash from our subsidiaries. Our insurance subsidiaries are subject to regulations that limit their ability to transfer funds to us. We have a significant amount of debt outstanding that contains restrictive covenants. If we are unable to obtain funds from our insurance subsidiaries, we will experience reduced cash flow, which could affect our ability to pay our obligations to creditors as they become due.

 

A failure of our information systems to provide timely and accurate information could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

 

Information processing is critical to our business, and a failure of our information systems to provide timely and accurate information could adversely affect our business and results of operations. The failure to maintain an effective and efficient information system or disruptions in our information system could cause disruptions in our business operations, including (a) failure to comply with prompt pay laws; (b) loss of existing insureds; (c) difficulty in attracting new insureds; (d) disputes with insureds, providers and agents; (e) regulatory problems; (f) increases in administrative expenses; and (g) other adverse consequences.

 

Changes in government regulation could increase the costs of compliance or cause us to discontinue marketing our products in certain states.

 

We conduct business in a heavily regulated industry, and changes in government regulation could increase the costs of compliance or cause us to discontinue marketing our products in certain states. Some of the federal and state regulations promulgated under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or HIPAA, for example required us to implement changes in our programs and systems in order to maintain compliance. We have incurred significant expenditures as a result of HIPAA regulations and expect to continue to incur expenditures as various regulations become effective.

 

We may not have enough statutory capital and surplus to continue to write business.

 

Our continued ability to write business is dependent on maintaining adequate levels of statutory capital and surplus to support the policies we write. Our new business writing typically results in net losses on a statutory basis during the early years of a policy. The resulting reduction in statutory surplus, or surplus strain, limits our ability to seek new business due to statutory restrictions on premium to surplus ratios and statutory surplus requirements. If we cannot generate sufficient statutory surplus to maintain minimum statutory requirements through increased statutory profitability, reinsurance or other capital generating alternatives, we will be limited in our ability to realize additional premium revenue from new business writing, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations or, in the event that our statutory surplus is not sufficient to meet minimum premium to surplus and risk-based capital ratios in any state, we could be prohibited from writing new policies in such state.

Our reserves for current and future claims may be inadequate and any increase to such reserves could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

We calculate and maintain reserves for current and future claims using assumptions about numerous variables, including our estimate of the probability of a policyholder making a claim, the severity and duration of such claim, the mortality rate of our policyholders, the persistency or renewal of our policies in force and the amount of interest we expect to earn from the investment of premiums. The adequacy of our reserves depends on the accuracy of our assumptions. We cannot assure you that our actual experience will not differ from the assumptions used in the establishment of reserves. Any variance from these assumptions could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and/or results of operations.

 

Litigation may result in financial losses or harm our reputation and may divert management resources.

 

Current and future litigation may result in financial losses, harm our reputation and require the dedication of significant management resources. We are regularly involved in litigation. The litigation naming us as a defendant ordinarily involves our activities as an insurer. In recent years, many insurance companies, including us, have been named as defendants in class actions relating to market conduct or sales practices.

 

For our general claim litigation, we maintain reserves based on experience to satisfy judgments and settlements in the normal course. Management expects that the ultimate liability, if any, with respect to general claim litigation, after consideration of the reserves maintained, will not be material to the consolidated financial condition of the Company. Nevertheless, given the inherent unpredictability of litigation, it is possible that an adverse outcome in certain claim litigation involving punitive damages could, from time to time, have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations in a period, depending on the results of our operations for the particular period.

 

If we fail to comply with extensive state and federal regulations, we will be subject to penalties, which may include fines and suspension and which may adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

 

We are subject to extensive governmental regulation and supervision. Most insurance regulations are designed to protect the interests of policyholders rather than stockholders and other investors. This regulation, generally administered by a department of insurance in each state in which we do business, relates to, among other things:

 

 

State insurance departments also conduct periodic examinations of the affairs of insurance companies and require the filing of annual and other reports relating to the financial condition of insurance companies, holding company issues and other matters.

There is also substantial federal regulation of our business. Laws and regulations adopted by the federal government, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Medicare Modernization Act of 2003, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, HIPAA, the USA PATRIOT Act and Do Not Call regulations, establish administrative and compliance requirements applicable to the Company.

 

Our business depends on compliance with applicable laws and regulations and our ability to maintain valid licenses and approvals for our operations. Regulatory authorities have broad discretion to grant, renew or revoke licenses and approvals. Regulatory authorities may deny or revoke licenses for various reasons, including the violation of regulations. In some instances, we follow practices based on our interpretations of regulations, or those that we believe to be generally followed by the industry, which may be different from the requirements or interpretations of regulatory authorities. If we do not have the requisite licenses and approvals and do not comply with applicable regulatory requirements, the insurance regulatory authorities could preclude or temporarily suspend us from carrying on some or all of our activities or otherwise penalize us. That type of action could have a material adverse effect on our business. Our failure to comply with new or existing government regulation could subject us to significant fines and penalties. Our efforts to measure, monitor and adjust our business practices to comply with current laws are ongoing. Failure to comply with enacted regulations could result in significant fines, penalties or the loss of one or more of our licenses. As governmental regulation changes, the costs of compliance may cause us to change our operations significantly, or adversely impact the healthcare provider networks with which we do business, which may adversely affect our business and results of operations. In addition, changes in the level of regulation of the insurance industry (whether federal, state or foreign), or changes in laws or regulations themselves or interpretations by regulatory authorities, could have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

 

None

 

 

We currently own and occupy our executive offices located at 9151 Boulevard 26, North Richland Hills, Texas 76180-5605 and 8825 Bud Jensen Drive, North Richland Hills, Texas 76180-5605 comprising in the aggregate approximately 281,000 and 30,000 square feet, respectively, of office and warehouse space. In addition, we lease office space at various locations.

 

 

See Note 17 of Notes to Financial Statements, the terms of which are incorporated by reference herein.

 

 

None.

 

 

The Company’s shares were traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “UCI” until April 5, 2006, the date of the Merger. The table below sets forth on a per share basis, for the periods indicated, the high and low closing sales prices of the Common Stock on the NYSE.

 

 

Upon completion of the Merger on April 5, 2006, between the Company and affiliates of The Blackstone Group, Goldman Sachs Capital Partners and DLJ Merchant Banking Partners, shares of the Company’s Common Stock were delisted from trading on the New York Stock Exchange. Subsequent to such delisting, there has been no established public trading market in our shares.

 

As of March 6, 2008, there were approximately 30 holders of record of Class A-1 Common Stock and 1,371 holders of record of Class A-2 Common Stock.

 

On May 3, 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors declared an extraordinary cash dividend in the amount of $10.51 per share for Class A-1 and Class A-2 common stock to holders of record as of close of business on May 9, 2007, payable on May 14, 2007. In connection with the extraordinary cash dividend, the Company paid dividends to stockholders in the aggregate amount of $317.0 million. The Company did not declare or pay dividends on shares of its common stock in 2006.

 

In addition, dividends paid by the Company’s domestic insurance subsidiaries to the Company out of earned surplus in any year that are in excess of limits set by the laws of the state of domicile require prior approval of state regulatory authorities in that state.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company issued an aggregate of 33,000 unregistered shares of its Class A-1 common stock for an aggregate consideration of $1.5 million. During the year ended December 31, 2006, the Company issued an aggregate of 74,365 unregistered shares of its Class A-1 common stock for an aggregate consideration of $2.8 million. All such sales of securities were made to certain newly-appointed executive officers and directors of the Company and in reliance upon the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder) for transactions by an issuer not involving a public offering. The proceeds of such sales were used for general corporate purposes.

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

Set forth below is a summary of the Company’s purchases of shares of HealthMarkets, Inc. Class A-1 common stock during each of the months in the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2007.

 

 

 

 

Set forth below is a summary of the Company’s purchases of shares of HealthMarkets, Inc. Class A-2 common stock during each of the months in the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2007, pursuant to the terms of the Company’s agent stock accumulation plans established for the benefit of the Company’s agents (See Note 14 of the Notes to Financial Statements):

 

 

 

 

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

 

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to shares of the Company’s Class A-1 and Class A-2 common stock that may be issued under HealthMarkets’ equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2007:

 

 

 

 

 

The following selected consolidated financial data as of and for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2007 has been derived from the audited Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company. The following data should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included herein.

 

 

Loss ratio.  The loss ratio is defined as benefits, claims and settlement expenses as a percentage of earned premiums (excludes Life Insurance Division).

Expense ratio.  The expense ratio is defined as underwriting, policy acquisition costs and insurance expenses as a percentage of earned premiums (excludes Life Insurance Division).

 

 

Overview

 

We offer insurance (primarily health and life) to niche consumer and institutional markets. Through our subsidiaries we issue primarily health insurance policies, covering individuals and families, to the self-employed, association groups and small businesses, and life insurance policies to markets that we believe are underserved. We believe we have one of the largest direct selling organizations in the health insurance field, with approximately 1,900 independent writing agents per week in the field selling health insurance to the self employed market in 44 states.

 

Our revenues consist primarily of premiums derived from sales of our indemnity, PPO and voluntary employer group health plans and from life insurance policies. Premiums on health insurance contracts are recognized as earned over the period of coverage on a pro rata basis. Premiums on traditional life insurance are recognized as revenue when due. Revenues also include investment income derived from our investment portfolio and other income, which consists primarily of income derived by the Self-Employed Agency Division from ancillary services and membership marketing and administrative services provided to the membership associations that make available to their members the Company’s health insurance products.

 

The table below sets forth premium by insurance division for each of the three most recent fiscal years (excluding for all periods presented premium associated with our former Star HRG Division and Student Insurance Division, which we disposed of in July and December 2006, respectively):

 

 

The Company’s expenses consist primarily of insurance claims expense and expenses associated with the underwriting and acquisition of insurance policies. Claims expenses consist primarily of payments to physicians, hospitals and other healthcare providers under health policies and include an estimated amount for incurred but not reported and unpaid claims. Underwriting, policy acquisition costs and insurance expenses consist of direct expenses incurred across all insurance lines in connection with issuance, maintenance and administration of in-force insurance policies, including amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs, commissions paid to agents, administrative expenses and premium taxes. The Company also incurs other direct expenses in connection with generating income derived by the Self-Employed Agency Division from ancillary services and membership marketing and administrative services provided to the membership associations that make available to their members the Company’s health insurance products.

 

The Company establishes liabilities for benefit claims that have been reported but not paid and claims that have been incurred but not reported under health and life insurance contracts. These claim liabilities are developed using actuarial principles and assumptions. See discussion below under the caption “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates — Claims Liabilities” and Note 6 of Notes to Financial Statements.

 

In connection with various stock-based compensation plans that we maintain for the benefit of our independent agents, we record non-cash variable stock-based compensation expense in amounts that depend and fluctuate based upon the fair value (as determined by the Company’s Board of Directors since the Merger) of the Company’s common stock. See discussion below under the caption “Variable Stock-Based Compensation” and Note 14 of Notes to Financial Statements.

The Company’s business segments for financial reporting purposes include (i) the Insurance segment, which includes the businesses of the Company’s Self-Employed Agency Division, the Life Insurance Division and Other Insurance; (ii) the Other Key Factors segment, which includes investment income not otherwise allocated to the Insurance segment, realized gains and losses on sale of investments, interest expense on corporate debt, variable stock-based compensation, pre-operational costs associated with the Company’s Medicare Advantage PFFS market initiative, general expenses relating to corporate operations and in 2006, the incremental costs associated with the acquisition of the Company by a group of private equity investors, and (iii) the Disposed Operations segment, which includes the Company’s former Star HRG Division and former Student Insurance Division.

 

2006 Sales of Student Insurance Division and Star HRG Division

 

In July 2006 and December 2006, in two separate transactions, we sold the assets comprising our former Star HRG Division and our former Student Insurance Division. In connection with these sales, we recorded an aggregate pre-tax gain in the amount of $201.7 million, of which $101.5 million was attributable to the Star HRG transaction and $100.2 million was attributable to the Student Insurance transaction.

 

As part of the sale transactions, insurance subsidiaries of the Company entered into 100% coinsurance arrangements with each of the purchasers, pursuant to which (a) the purchasers agreed to assume liability for all future claims associated policies in force as of the respective closing dates and (b) the Company’s insurance subsidiaries transferred to the purchasers cash in an amount equal to the actuarial estimate of those future claims. While under the terms of the coinsurance agreements the Company’s insurance subsidiaries have ceded liability for all future claims made on the insurance policies in force at the closing date, the insurance subsidiaries remain primarily liable on those policies. Accordingly, at December 31, 2006 and 2007 the Company continues to report the policy liabilities ceded to and assumed by the purchasers under the coinsurance agreements as “Policy liabilities”, with a corresponding “Reinsurance receivable” asset on its Consolidated Balance Sheet. In addition, the Company will continue to report in future periods the residual results of operations of these businesses (anticipated to consist solely of residual wind-down expenses and any true-up provision associated with the sales, primarily of the Student Insurance Division) in continuing operations and classified to the Company’s Disposed Operations business segment.

 

See Note 2 of Notes to Financial Statements for additional information regarding the terms of the sales of the Star HRG Division and Student Insurance Division assets.

 

2006 Change in Accounting Policy

 

Effective December 31, 2006, the Company changed its accounting policy with respect to the amortization of a portion of deferred acquisition costs associated with commissions paid to agents.

 

The Company formerly capitalized commissions and premium taxes associated with its SEA Division business (classified as “deferred acquisition costs” (“DAC”)) and amortized all of these costs over the period (and in proportion to the amount) that the associated unearned premium was earned. The Company utilized this accounting methodology in preparing its reported 2006 interim financial statements.

 

Following adoption of SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108 (SAB 108), Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in the Current Year Financial Statements, the Company performed an analysis to determine the appropriate portion of commissions to be deferred over the lives of the underlying policies. Generally, first year and second year commission rates are higher than the renewal year commission rates, and the Company has determined that the preferred approach is to capitalize the excess commissions associated with those earlier years and amortize the capitalized costs ratably over the estimated life of the policy. Accordingly, effective January 1, 2006, the Company has elected to change its accounting methodology by amortizing the first and second year excess commissions ratably over the average life of the policy which approximates a two year period .

 

The Company has elected to utilize the one time special transition provisions of SAB 108 and recorded an adjustment to retained earnings effective January 1, 2006 to reflect this change in accounting policy with respect to the capitalization and amortization of deferred acquisition costs associated with excess first and second year

commissions. As of January 1, 2006, the change in accounting policy resulted in an increase in the Company’s capitalized DAC of $77.6 million, a related increase to its deferred tax liability by $27.1 million, and a net increase to shareholders’ equity of $50.5 million. The adoption of this new accounting policy had the effect of increasing reported underwriting, policy acquisition costs and insurance expenses (classified to its SEA Division) in 2006 by $15.5 million and, correspondingly, reducing after-tax net income by $10.1 million.

 

Results of Operations

 

The table below sets forth certain summary information about our consolidated operating results for each of the three most recent fiscal years:

 

The table below sets forth certain summary information about our consolidated operating results for each of the three most recent fiscal years. For purposes of this presentation, we have reclassified and netted the operating revenues and expenses attributable to our former Star HRG Division and Student Insurance Division (which we disposed of in July and December 2006, respectively) to the line item “Income (loss) from Student Insurance operations and Star HRG Division (net of income tax)”:

 

Revenues and income from continuing operations before federal income taxes (“operating income”) for each of the Company’s business segments and divisions in 2007, 2006 and 2005 was as follows:

 

2007 Compared to 2006

 

In 2007, the Company reported consolidated revenues and income from continuing operations of $1.6 billion and $69.4 million, respectively, compared to revenues and income from continuing operations in 2006 of $2.147 billion and $216.6 million, respectively. Reflecting results from discontinued operations, the Company reported overall 2007 net income of $70.2 million compared to 2006 net income of $237.7 million.

 

The following comparative discussion of results of operations is by segment and division, including our disposed operations consisting of the Student Insurance Division and the Star HRG Division.

 

The Company operates three business segments, the Insurance segment, the Other Key Factors and Disposed Operations. The Insurance segment includes the Company’s Self-Employed Agency Division, the Life Insurance Division and Other Insurance Division. The Other Key Factors segment includes investment income not otherwise allocated to the Insurance segment, realized gains and losses on sale of investments, interest expense on corporate debt, variable stock-based compensation, pre-operational costs associated with the Company’s Medicare Advantage PFFS market initiative, general expenses relating to corporate operations and in 2006, the incremental costs associated with the acquisition of the Company. The Disposed Operations segment includes the Company’s former Star HRG Division and former Student Insurance Division. Investment income and certain other expenses are allocated to the divisions in the Insurance segment based on a variety of assumptions and estimates.

 

Self-Employed Agency Division

 

Set forth below is certain summary financial and operating data for the Company’s Self-Employed Agency Division for each of the three most recent fiscal years:

 

 

Loss Ratio.  The Loss ratio is defined as Benefits expense as a percentage of Earned premium revenue.

Expense Ratio.  The Expense ratio is defined as Underwriting and acquisition expenses as a percentage of Earned premium revenue.

 

Operating Margin.  Operating margin is defined as Operating income as a percentage of Earned premium revenue.

 

Submitted Annualized Volume.  Submitted annualized premium volume in any period is the aggregate annualized premium amount associated with health insurance applications submitted by the Company’s agents in such period for underwriting by the Company.

 

For 2007, the SEA Division reported operating income of $150.4 million compared to $236.5 million in 2006, a decrease of $86.0 million or 36%. Operating margin in 2007 was 13.3% compared to 11.7% in 2006. Operating income for the SEA Division in 2007 was negatively impacted by a decrease in earned premium revenue, an increase in the loss ratio (benefits as a percentage of earned premium), and an increase in underwriting, policy acquisition costs and insurance expenses.

 

Earned premium revenue at the SEA Division decreased to $1.282 billion in 2007 compared to $1.330 billion in 2006, a decrease of $48.0 million or 4%. This decrease in earned premium revenue was primarily attributable to a slight increase in policy lapse rates, a decline in submitted annualized premium volume, and a decrease in the conversion rate of submitted policies to issue policies. The period over period decrease in submitted annualized premium volume was due to a decrease in the average number of writing agents in the field from 2,143 during 2006 to 1,874 during 2007 and a 6% decrease in the productivity per agent based on the average number of weekly applications submitted per writing agent. The decrease in conversion experience on submitted policies was at least partly expected as it reflects the implementation of more rigorous underwriting procedures.

 

Benefits expense increased in 2007 compared to 2006 as reflected in the loss ratio of 57.4% versus 54.3%, respectively. The increase in the loss ratio reflects an ongoing gradual shift in product mix to the Company’s CareOne product suite and other PPO products which are designed to provide a higher proportion of premium dollars as benefits. The amount of benefit expenses reported each year is impacted by the estimate of claim liabilities. See discussion below in “Critical Accounting Policies” in the sections titled “Estimates of Claim Liabilities” and “Changes in SEA Claim Liability Estimates.”

 

Underwriting, policy acquisition costs and insurance expenses increased to $478.1 million in 2007 from $444.0 million in 2006, an increase of $34.1 million or 8%. In 2007, the Company recognized a $20.0 million expense associated with the potential settlement of the multi-state market conduct examination; see Note 17 of Notes to Financial Statements. This increase also resulted from an $8.0 million asset impairment charge in 2007 associated with two technology assets that we determined were no longer of value to the Company and additional consulting and professional fees incurred for various operational and technology focused initiatives.

Life Insurance Division

 

Set forth below is certain summary financial and operating data for the Company’s Life Insurance Division for each of the three most recent fiscal years:

 

 

The Life Insurance Division reported operating income in 2007 of $2.6 million compared to operating income of $5.3 million in 2006, a decrease of $2.7 million. This decrease was largely attributable to a $9.6 million increase in benefits expenses partially offset by a $4.2 million increase in premium and a $2.6 million decrease in underwriting and acquisition expenses.

 

Earned premium revenue at the Life Insurance Division increased to $69.9 million in 2007 compared to $65.7 million in 2006, an increase of $4.2 million or 6%. This increase reflects a greater level of renewal premiums from sales that originated in 2006 and prior years through our relationships with two independent marketing companies. The number of policies in force grew during 2007 as new sales exceeded the deterioration in existing blocks of business of older products.

 

Benefits expenses increased substantially in 2007 to $54.0 million from $44.5 million in 2006. This $9.6 million or 22% increase resulted from unusually adverse mortality experience. Underwriting, policy acquisition costs and insurance expenses decreased in 2007 to $35.4 million from $38.1 million in 2006, a decrease of $2.7 million or 7%. This reduction in expenses reflects a decrease in new sales and a decrease in the amortization of deferred acquisition costs based on more current actuarial assumptions.

 

In 2007, the Company’s Life Insurance Division generated annualized paid premium volume (i.e., the aggregate annualized life premium amount associated with new life insurance policies issued by the company) in the amount of $18.4 million compared to $20.0 million in 2006.

Other Insurance

 

Set forth below is certain summary financial and operating data for the Company’s Other Insurance Division for each of the three most recent fiscal years: