NU Online News Service, May 2, 2:36 p.m. – PacifiCare Health Systems Inc., Santa Ana, Calif., is reporting an $859 million net loss for the first quarter on $2.9 billion in revenue, compared with $13 million in net income on $3 billion in revenue for the first quarter of 2001.
Net results for the latest quarter include an $897 million, non-cash charge for reducing "goodwill," or the stated value of past acquisitions. If the accounting change were excluded, income would have increased to $38 million, from $13 million, PacifiCare says.
The managed care company provided or administered major medical coverage for 3.3 million people at the end of the quarter, down from 3.8 million people a year earlier.
