Is HealthStream (HSTM) a Better Healthcare Bet Than Humana (HUM) Right Now?

Is HealthStream (HSTM) a Better Healthcare Bet Than Humana (HUM) Right Now?

Wed, September 9, 2026 at 11:40 PM GMT+3 4 min read

• HUM +0.18%
• HSTM +0.73%

On August 11, Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM) announced that its Medicaid plan, Humana Healthy Horizons in Indiana, is collaborating with HealthStream, Inc. (NASDAQ:HSTM). The partnership expands access to workforce training for caregivers, aiming to recruit and retain talent in rural and underserved communities. While one provides healthcare coverage and the other builds the software to train healthcare workers, both companies are capitalizing on the industry's critical focus: solving caregiving shortages and optimizing healthcare delivery.

Financial Comparison: Who Is Performing Better?

HealthStream emerges as the operationally cleaner, higher-growth performer, while Humana continues to navigate a more complex transition marked by regulatory and profitability pressures. Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM) reported Q2 2026 GAAP EPS of $5.73 and adjusted EPS of $7.61, with an Insurance segment GAAP benefit ratio of 91.2%. The company reaffirmed its full-year adjusted EPS guidance of at least $9.00 but lowered its FY 2026 GAAP EPS forecast to at least $6.52 from $8.36, reflecting non-cash adjustments and value creation charges. Although individual Medicare Advantage membership is expected to grow approximately 25% in 2026, lower Star Ratings remain a significant drag on profitability.

HealthStream, Inc. (NASDAQ:HSTM), meanwhile, delivered record Q2 2026 results, with revenue rising 12.5% year over year to $83.7 million. Operating income increased 41.4% to $8.3 million, while net income climbed 23.8% to $6.7 million, or $0.23 per diluted share. Adjusted EBITDA also increased 16.9% to $20.6 million. The company's debt-free balance sheet, supported by $66.7 million in cash and cash equivalents, further strengthens its financial flexibility. While Humana operates at substantially greater scale, HealthStream is demonstrating stronger operational leverage, margin expansion, and balance sheet flexibility.

Bull and Bear Cases

Humana's bull case is supported by strong Medicare Advantage membership growth, with the company targeting a 25% increase in 2026, alongside strategic expansion of its CenterWell primary care business and state Medicaid footprint, including its recent Illinois win. These initiatives could strengthen its long-term recovery and expand its addressable market. However, the bear case centers on elevated medical benefit ratios, which reached 91.2% in Q2, as well as regulatory pressures in Medicaid and continued Medicare Star Ratings headwinds. These factors could further squeeze margins and weigh on net earnings.

HealthStream's bull case is supported by strong recurring subscription revenue, which increased 11.2% in Q2, a debt-free balance sheet, and strategic acquisitions such as Virsys12 and MissionCare Collective. These assets position the company to capture additional market share as health systems continue investing in workforce retention, training, and compliance solutions. On the downside, HealthStream's small-cap profile leaves it more exposed to customer concentration, while integrating acquisitions could create execution risks. Tight hospital capital expenditure budgets could also limit the pace of growth and reduce near-term upside.

Insider Monkey Hedge Fund Data

Hedge fund positioning in Q1 2026 shows increasing institutional participation in both Humana and HealthStream, although the scale of conviction differs. Humana was held by 61 hedge funds in Q1 2026, up from 53 in Q4 2025. Pzena Investment Management, led by Richard S. Pzena, held 4,403,136 shares valued at approximately $1.75 billion, representing 5.13% of its portfolio despite reducing its position by 20%. Eagle Capital Management, led by Boykin Curry, held 3,846,762 shares worth approximately $1.53 billion, increasing its position by 30% and allocating 4.67% of its portfolio to the stock.

HealthStream was held by 20 hedge funds in Q1 2026, up from 17 in Q4 2025. First Eagle Investment Management, led by Jean-Marie Eveillard, held 591,898 shares valued at approximately $16.1 million, increasing its position by 40%. Arrowstreet Capital, led by Peter Rathjens, Bruce Clarke, and John Campbell, held 433,651 shares worth approximately $11.8 million, with activity increasing 15%.

Conclusion: What Investors Should Watch Next

The contrast between Humana and HealthStream illustrates the difference between managing medical care costs and selling software solutions to the healthcare system. Moving forward, investors in Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM) should watch whether medical cost ratios stabilize and if management can mitigate the Star Ratings earnings drag in 2027. For HealthStream, Inc. (NASDAQ:HSTM), investors should track organic subscription growth, successful integration of recent M&A, and sustained margin expansion from its SaaS model.

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