(Reuters) -Universal Health Services beat Wall Street estimates for third-quarter profit on Monday, driven by steady demand for medical care services at its hospitals, sending its shares surging 6% in extended trading.

Health insurers have flagged elevated demand and rising costs in individual Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, and Medicaid plans for low-income individuals, trends that are expected to benefit hospital operators.

For the quarter ended September 30, the King of Prussia, Pennsylvania-based hospital operator reported an adjusted profit of $5.69 per share, beating estimates of $4.84 per share, according to LSEG data.

Last week, larger peer HCA Healthcare also beat quarterly profit estimates, though it noted Medicaid volumes remained low and were offset by strength

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