Health insurers rise as US temporarily eases Medicaid work-rule enforcement

** Shares of health insurers Centene CNC.N rise 2.5% to $73.05 and Molina Healthcare MOH.N rise 2.6% to $215 in extended trading

** Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services offers states an optional transition period through June 30, 2027, for implementing new Medicaid work rules

** During the period, states will assess whether people meet the rules or qualify for exclusions, but will not deny applications or disenroll otherwise eligible people solely for failing to meet the requirements

** New requirements take effect on Jan. 1, 2027, for certain Medicaid applicants and beneficiaries aged 19 to 64, unless excluded

** As of last close, CNC up 73.2% and MOH up 20.7% YTD