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    EHTH
    Earnings call· Jun 2026(Q2 FY26)

    eHealth Q2 FY26 earnings call EHTH

    Aug 4, 2026 Source

    Executive summary

    eHealth Q2 FY26 — Lifetime Advisory Model Launch and Cash Flow Improvement

    eHealth launched its lifetime advisory model in Q2 FY26, shifting focus to member engagement and retention, which led to a 45% revenue decline but also a significant $36.2 million improvement in operating cash flow. The company is on track for substantial cost savings and expects a return to sustainable revenue growth and improved cash flow profile in 2027, driven by this new model, ICHRA expansion, and AI initiatives.

    Highlights

    5
    • Non-GAAP operating expenses declined by $42 million in the first 6 months compared to prior year.

    • Annual variable cost savings projected at more than $60 million and fixed cost savings at approximately $30 million.

    • Second-quarter ancillary cross-sell rates doubled compared to a year ago.

    • AI-enabled call screening expected to replace the majority of manual screening processes for the upcoming AEP, with past AEP showing 80-85% of calls answered by AI screeners.

    • Operating cash flow was negative $5 million, a substantial year-over-year improvement from negative $41.2 million.

    Concerns

    5
    • Second quarter revenue was $33.6 million, down 45% year-over-year.

    • GAAP net loss was $23.6 million, compared to $17.4 million in the prior year.

    • Adjusted EBITDA was a negative $21.8 million, compared to negative $14.1 million in the prior year.

    • Non-commission revenue was $3.8 million, down 38% from the prior year, primarily due to lower sponsorship revenue.

    • Medicare submissions declined 44% during the quarter.

    Guidance & targets

    7
    CategoryTargetConfidence
    Annual variable cost savings
    more than $60 million
    medium materiality
    High
    Annual fixed cost savings
    approximately $30 million
    medium materiality
    High
    ICHRA revenue
    below $5 million
    low materiality
    Medium
    Net adjustment revenue
    $16 million to $20 million
    medium materiality
    High
    Operating cash flow
    positive
    high materiality
    High
    Sustainable revenue growth
    return to growth
    high materiality
    High
    EBITDA margin
    meaningful expansion
    high materiality
    High

    Segment performance

    2
    SegmentRevenueYoYQoQMargin
    Medicare
    Primarily reflecting lower Medicare Advantage approved member volume and lower tail revenue. Gross profit compared to $19.1 million in the prior year period.
    Submissions: declined 44%Variable marketing and advertising expense: declined 58%Customer care and enrollment expense: declined 21%Total acquisition cost per MA equivalent approved member: increased 16%Customer care and enrollment cost per MA equivalent approved member: increased 42%Variable marketing cost per MA equivalent approved member: declined 23%
    $31.8 million-45%$6 million gross profit
    Employer and Individual
    Compared to a loss of approximately $0.3 million in the prior year. Decline expected to be offset by growth in emerging ICHRA platform.
    $1.8 million-33.3%loss of $0.8 million

    Operational metrics

    27
    Total Revenue
    $33.6 milliondown 45% YoY
    Q2 FY26
    Total Commission Revenue
    $29.8 million
    Q2 FY26
    Net Adjustment/Tail Revenue
    $7.6 millionvs $17.8 million a year ago
    Q2 FY26

    Represents ongoing value from previously acquired members.

    Cumulative Tail Revenue
    $284 million
    since 2018
    Non-Commission Revenue
    $3.8 milliondown 38% YoY
    Q2 FY26

    Primarily driven by lower sponsorship revenue.

    GAAP Net Loss
    $23.6 millionvs $17.4 million prior year
    Q2 FY26
    Adjusted EBITDA Loss
    $21.8 millionvs $14.1 million prior year
    Q2 FY26
    Non-GAAP Operating Expenses
    $58.6 milliondeclined 25% YoY
    Q2 FY26
    Non-GAAP Operating Expenses Decline
    $42 millioncompared to prior year
    first 6 months FY26
    Non-GAAP Marketing and Advertising Expense
    declined 45%
    Q2 FY26
    Variable Marketing Costs Reduction
    56%
    Q2 FY26
    Non-GAAP Customer Care and Enrollment Expense
    declined 20%
    Q2 FY26
    Non-GAAP General and Administrative Expense
    declined 26%
    Q2 FY26
    Non-GAAP Technology and Content Expense
    relatively stable
    Q2 FY26

    As we continued to support key strategic initiatives.

    Cash Equivalents and Short-term Marketable Securities
    $101 million
    Q2 FY26
    Commission Receivables
    $1 billionvs $917 million as of June 30, 2025
    Q2 FY26

    Including both current and long-term balances.

    Medicare Advantage Enrollment
    more than 35.5 million
    current

    Market-wide enrollment.

    Medicare Advantage Penetration
    approximately 55%
    current

    Projected by the Congressional Budget Office.

    Ancillary Product Cross-sell Rates
    doubledcompared to a year ago
    Q2 FY26

    Advisor-assisted ancillary product applications submitted by customers aged 65+ in relation to advisor-assisted major medical Medicare product applications.

    AI Call Screening Coverage
    80% to 85%
    past AEP

    Percentage of incoming phone calls answered by AI screeners. Plan for upcoming AEP is 100%.

    Total Acquisition Cost per MA Equivalent Approved Member
    increased 16%
    Q2 FY26
    Customer Care and Enrollment Cost per MA Equivalent Approved Member
    increased 42%
    Q2 FY26
    Variable Marketing Cost per MA Equivalent Approved Member
    declined 23%
    Q2 FY26
    Lifetime Value (LTV)
    declined 1%
    Q2 FY26
    Lifetime Value (LTV)
    increased 16%
    Q2 FY26
    Lifetime Value (LTV)
    increased 52%
    Q2 FY26
    ICHRA Lives Covered
    approximately 5 million
    by 2029

    Industry forecast for ICHRA adoption.

    Industry KPIs

    2
    MetricValueDetails
    Retention persistencyin line with prior year
    Renewal rate change pricing4.5%%

    Product announcements

    1
    ProductTypeDetails
    Final Expenselaunch

    Deals & partnerships

    1
    H.I.G. Capital (HIG)Discussions regarding the converts from the balance sheet and ability to clean up the balance sheet.

    The strategy committee, which HIG is actively participating in, is continuing conversations to achieve a resolution that benefits all stakeholders regarding the April 2027 converts.

    Risks & headwinds

    5
    Moderated Medicare Advantage growthcurrent

    Carriers focusing more heavily on profitability

    Mitigation: eHealth's value proposition for targeted member acquisition and high-quality enrollments.

    Industry consolidation and rationalization in tele broker channelcurrent

    Participants adjusting to a new operating environment

    Mitigation: eHealth's value as a trusted adviser with extensive plan inventory.

    Lower sponsorship revenueQ2 FY26

    Non-commission revenue down 38% YoY to $3.8 million

    Mitigation: Expects sponsorship revenue to become a meaningful source of upside as industry growth normalizes.

    Potential for elevated churn/plan terminations in MAupcoming AEP

    Some carriers expect similar to slightly higher plan terms than prior year

    Mitigation: Proactive outreach to members in at-risk plans; strong brand and broad carrier mix to assist consumers.

    Midterm election impact on advertising spendQ4 FY26

    Potential for higher engagement on news stations

    Mitigation: Ability to mitigate rate spikes through media buying strategy; leaning into strong performing content/media.

    What to watch in Q3 FY26

    5

    Carrier commission strategies for AEP

    Q3 FY26
    CurrentCMS finalized 4.5% maximum increase for PY27; carrier approaches likely to vary
    TargetGreater visibility into carrier plans for AEP commissions, including non-commissionable plans

    Why it matters

    Carrier commission strategies directly impact eHealth's revenue and profitability for the upcoming AEP.

    We expect to gain greater visibility into carrier plans during the third quarter as AEP preparations accelerate.

    Q&A highlights

    7

    What are the expectations for carrier commission strategies and potential changes in non-commissionable plans for 2027 AEP?

    CMS finalized a 4.5% maximum broker commission increase. Carriers will likely have varied strategies by plan type and geography. No material change expected in non-commissionable plan opportunities, though carriers may use them to manage growth.

    As it relates to non-commissionable revenue, that was the second part of your question. As we discussed, in Q1, we still don't see any material change in non-commissionable revenue opportunities as we prepare for AEP.

    asked by Maxi Ma · answered by Derrick Duke

    2 min read5 chapters

    Detailed Narrative

    01

    Lifetime Advisory Model Launch & Early Validation

    eHealth launched its lifetime advisory model in Q2 FY26, shifting from one-time📎 enrollment to ongoing member engagement. This model aims to improve retention and increase member value through ancillary product cross-selling and referrals. Early indicators show positive consumer response and significant cross-selling opportunities, with Q2 ancillary cross-sell rates doubling year-over-year. The company is shifting KPIs to member-driven metrics like retention and member-based lifetime value.

    02

    AI Integration for Efficiency and Scalability

    The company is leveraging AI to enhance efficiency, scalability, and customer experience. AI is currently used for after-hours interactions, call screening, and customer service inquiries, with plans for AI-enabled call screening to handle 100% of calls for the upcoming AEP. AI also supports back-office functions like product management, software development, UX design, and carrier plan content ingestion, significantly reducing manual effort and improving accuracy.

    03

    ICHRA as a Growth Pillar

    eHealth is pursuing measured, profitable growth in the under-65 market, with ICHRA as a key component. Industry forecasts project ICHRA to cover approximately 5 million lives by 2029. The company's strategy focuses on building a scalable platform and ecosystem, establishing a foundation for future growth, even though ICHRA revenue is expected to remain below $5 million in FY26.

    04

    Medicare Advantage Market Dynamics

    The Medicare Advantage market, despite recent disruption, shows compelling long-term opportunity with enrollment exceeding 35.5 million beneficiaries and projected to reach 63% penetration by 2034. The industry is gradually moving towards stability, with CMS finalizing a 4.5% maximum broker commission increase for plan year 2027. The market is rewarding high-quality, retention-oriented distribution models, aligning with eHealth's strategy.

    05

    Strategic Priorities and 2027 Outlook

    eHealth's 2026 priorities include scaling the lifetime advisory model, improving cash flow towards break-even, and advancing diversification through ancillary products and ICHRA. The company anticipates a return to sustainable revenue growth in 2027, driven by the transition to relationship economics, ICHRA growth, and selective expansion of its Amplify business, alongside meaningful EBITDA margin expansion.

    AI-generated summary of the company’s earnings call. Not investment advice.