First few Article Sentences
Northwest health insurance companies continued their profitable ways in 2009 despite the region's difficult economic conditions. Year-end membership for the six largest companies decreased, and underwriting gains, the profit an insurance company makes on business aside from investments, income taxes and other non-operations related revenues and expenses, were lower at 19 of the 24 companies reviewed. Net income increased as investment gains offset the reduction in underwriting gains. Total adjusted capital, or net worth with adjustments for insurance industry accounting rules, increased considerably due mainly to investment gains. All figures reflected in this article are from reports filed with various insurance regulators and don't reflect self-insured membership.