Key Takeaways
- Oscar Health (OSCR) shares climbed approximately 11% on Wednesday following CEO Mark Bertolini’s acquisition of 1 million shares at $11.92 each.
- The $11.92M deal was structured as a private placement rather than a conventional open-market purchase, with newly issued shares going directly to the CEO.
- Bertolini’s holdings now total 10.2M shares, giving him a 10.87% ownership position in the healthcare company.
- The stock had already gained roughly 7% on Tuesday when federal officials announced a 2.5% Medicare Advantage payment increase for 2027.
- Despite reporting $443.2M in net losses for 2025, Oscar projects 60% revenue expansion in 2026, forecasting $18.7โ$19B in total revenue.
Oscar Health (OSCR) is currently trading at $14.43, reflecting a $2.21 gain (+15.29%) as of the market opening.
Oscar Health CEO Mark Bertolini captured investor attention this week by acquiring 1 million shares of OSCR at $11.92 per share โ an $11.92M commitment signaling confidence in the healthcare insurer’s future. Shares responded with an approximate 11% surge Wednesday morning.
Regulatory documents filed after Tuesday’s trading session revealed the transaction. Bertolini, who previously led Aetna as CEO, completed the purchase on Monday, April 6.
However, this wasn’t a standard market transaction. SEC Form 4 filings indicate the deal was executed as a private placement โ Oscar issued 1 million fresh shares directly to its chief executive at the $11.92 closing price, identical to the valuation used for tax withholding on recently vested performance-based equity.
The arrangement provided Oscar with $11.92M in new funding while expanding Bertolini’s position to 10.87% of outstanding shares, totaling 10,196,876 shares. The dilutive impact on existing shareholders remained relatively modest.
Financial Performance Breakdown
Oscar’s 2025 results showcase a business expanding rapidly while continuing to generate negative cash flow. Annual revenue reached $11.7B, representing growth from $9.18B in 2024. The company’s membership base hit an all-time high of 3.4 million individuals. Net losses totaled $443.2M for the year, accompanied by operating losses of $396.4M.
Looking toward 2026, management forecasts $18.7Bโ$19B in revenue โ representing approximately 60% annual growth โ while aiming for a medical-loss ratio between 82.4%โ83.4%. Wall Street analysts anticipate EPS of $0.77 for 2026, potentially marking the company’s shift into profitable territory.
That’s an ambitious objective. Bertolini’s substantial personal investment suggests he believes the company can achieve it.
For context, established competitors tell a different story: UnitedHealth Group reported $113.2B in Q4 2025 revenue, representing 12.3% year-over-year expansion. Centene and Molina Healthcare delivered single-digit growth rates. Oscar’s trajectory stands apart dramatically, even though profitability remains elusive.
Understanding the Transaction Type
It’s important to clarify what this transaction represents. A conventional open-market purchase โ where executives buy shares at prevailing market prices, accepting immediate execution risk and potential losses โ typically carries stronger conviction signals. That approach communicates: “I believe in this valuation right now.”
A private placement operates differently. Bertolini didn’t submit a market order at the ask price. He obtained shares at a predetermined fair market value, part of a structured transaction linked to equity vesting. Oscar received capital; Bertolini increased his holdings.
Nevertheless, Bertolini had the option to liquidate vested shares for tax obligations and pocket the proceeds. Instead, he opted for expanded ownership. At today’s trading levels, his position represents approximately $125M in Oscar equity.
OSCR shares had already appreciated roughly 7% on Tuesday following federal confirmation of a 2.5% Medicare Advantage rate adjustment for 2027 โ exceeding earlier proposals that suggested maintaining flat reimbursement rates.
Oscar’s first-quarter 2025 earnings release is scheduled for May 6 before market opening.





