Aetna Boosts 2014 Revenue View on Medicare Gains

Aetna (NYSE:AET) raised its revenue view for 2014 by $1 billion, as Medicare membership gains topped the health insurance provider’s expectations.

The company’s new full-year revenue projection of $54 billion was announced ahead of a healthcare conference Wednesday organized by JPMorgan (NYSE:JPM).

Hartford, Conn.-based Aetna also reaffirmed its outlook for 2013 operating earnings of at least $6.25 a share.

First-quarter membership in Aetna’s Medicare Advantage program is expected to be “meaningfully better” than previously projected, the company said.

Aetna also reaffirmed its 2013 guidance. It’s scheduled to report fourth-quarter earnings on Feb. 6.

Shares neared another record high in early morning trading. Aetna’s stock, which set an all-time high of $72.06 on Friday, rose 45 cents to $71.93.