INDIANAPOLIS
,
October 18, 2023
(press release)
–
“Elevance Health delivered another quarter of solid performance reflecting the strength and balance of our diversified portfolio of businesses, our continued investments in innovation and growth, and our relentless focus on affordability, simplicity, and customer experience,” said Gail K. Boudreaux, President and CEO. “With affordability a paramount concern for all payors and a more uncertain forward-looking operating environment, we took action during the third quarter that will enhance our ability to act nimbly and operate efficiently. Along with the earnings power of our Health Benefits and Carelon businesses, we are well-positioned to meet our commitments to all of our stakeholders while continuing to advance our whole health strategy.” As a result of outperformance year-to-date, the Company now expects GAAP net income to be greater than $26.40 per share in 2023, and adjusted net income to be greater than $33.00 per share. *Refer to GAAP reconciliation tables. Consolidated Highlights Earnings Per Share: GAAP net income was $5.45 per share in the third quarter, including net negative adjustment items of $3.54 per share. Adjusted net income was $8.99* per share. *Please refer to the GAAP reconciliation tables. Membership: Medical membership totaled approximately 47.3 million as of September 30, 2023, an increase of 42 thousand, or 0.1 percent year-over-year, driven primarily by growth in BlueCard, Affordable Care Act health plans, and Medicare Advantage membership, partially offset by attrition in Medicaid due to the resumption of eligibility redeterminations and a new entrant into one of our state Medicaid programs in the third quarter, as well as declines in our Employer Group risk-based business. During the third quarter of 2023, medical membership decreased by 664 thousand driven by attrition in Medicaid due to the aforementioned dynamics. Operating Revenue: Operating revenue was $42.5 billion in the third quarter of 2023, an increase of $2.9 billion, or 7.2 percent year-over-year. The increase was primarily driven by higher premium revenue in our Health Benefits business and growth in pharmacy product revenue in CarelonRx due to growth in external pharmacy members served and the acquisition of BioPlus in the first quarter of 2023. Benefit Expense Ratio: The benefit expense ratio was 86.8 percent in the third quarter, an improvement of 40 basis points year-over-year. The improvement was driven by premium rate adjustments in recognition of medical cost trend. Medical claims reserves established at December 31, 2022 developed within the range of the Company’s expectations as of the third quarter of 2023. Days in Claims Payable: Days in Claims Payable was 48.6 days as of September 30, 2023, an increase of 2.1 days from June 30, 2023 and an increase of 0.9 days compared to September 30, 2022. Operating Expense Ratio: The operating expense ratio was 12.9% in the third quarter of 2023, an increase of 150 basis points from 11.4% in the third quarter of 2022. The increase was due to a business optimization charge recognized in the quarter. In the third quarter, we completed a strategic review of our operations, assets, and investments to enhance operating efficiency, refine the focus of our investments in innovation and optimize our physical footprint. This resulted in a net charge of $697 million, comprised of the write-off of certain information technology assets and contract exit costs, a reduction in staff including the relocation of certain job functions, and the impairment of assets associated with the closure or partial closure of data centers and offices. Operating Cash Flow: Operating cash flow was approximately $2.6 billion, or 2.0 times net income in the third quarter of 2023, a decrease of $2.3 billion as compared to the prior year quarter. The year-on-year decrease was driven by the receipt of an additional month of CMS payments in the third quarter of 2022. Share Repurchase Program: During the third quarter of 2023, the Company repurchased 1.1 million shares of its common stock for $480 million, at a weighted average price of $451.68. Year-to-date, as of the end of the third quarter, the Company repurchased 3.8 million shares of its common stock for $1.7 billion, at a weighted average price of $462.42. As of September 30, 2023, the Company had approximately $5.1 billion of Board-approved share repurchase authorization remaining. Cash Dividend: During the third quarter of 2023, the Company paid a quarterly dividend of $1.48 per share, representing a distribution of cash totaling $348 million. On October 17, 2023, the Audit Committee of the Company's Board of Directors declared a fourth quarter 2023 dividend to shareholders of $1.48 per share. The fourth quarter dividend is payable on December 21, 2023, to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 6, 2023. Investment Portfolio & Capital Position: During the third quarter of 2023, the Company recorded net losses of $124 million. During the third quarter of 2022, the Company recorded net losses of $57 million. These amounts are excluded from adjusted earnings per share. As of September 30, 2023, the Company’s net unrealized loss position in the investment portfolio was $2.4 billion, consisting primarily of fixed maturity securities. As of September 30, 2023, cash and investments at the parent company totaled approximately $1.7 billion. Reportable Segments Elevance Health has four reportable segments: Health Benefits (comprised of Individual, Employer Group risk-based, Employer Group fee-based, BlueCard, Medicaid, Medicare, and Federal Health Products & Services businesses); CarelonRx; Carelon Services; and Corporate & Other (comprised of businesses that do not individually meet the quantitative thresholds for an operating division as well as corporate expenses not allocated to our other reportable segments). Health Benefits: Operating gain in the Health Benefits segment totaled $1.8 billion in the third quarter of 2023, an increase of $213 million from $1.6 billion in the third quarter of 2022, representing growth of 13.0%. The increase was primarily driven by premium rate adjustments to cover medical cost trend on higher levels of post-pandemic care. Carelon: Operating gain in the Carelon segment was $650 million in the third quarter of 2023, an increase of $9 million from $641 million in the third quarter of 2022. The increase was primarily driven by the continued expansion of our post-acute care services business, the acquisition of BioPlus in the first quarter of 2023, and improved performance in our Behavioral Health business, partially offset by the non-recurrence of out of period fee-based revenue recognized in the third quarter of 2022 in CarelonRx. Corporate & Other: The Company reported an operating loss of $741 million in the Corporate & Other segment for the third quarter of 2023, a decrease of $717 million from an operating loss of $24 million in the third quarter of 2022, driven by business optimization charges. 1. Operating revenue and operating gain/loss are the key measures used by management to evaluate performance in each of its reporting segments, allocate resources, set incentive compensation targets and to forecast future operating performance. Operating gain/loss is calculated as total operating revenue less benefit expense, cost of products sold and operating expense. It does not include net investment income, net gains/losses on financial instruments, interest expense, amortization of other intangible assets, gains/losses on extinguishment of debt or income taxes, as these items are managed in a corporate shared service environment and are not the responsibility of operating segment management. Refer to the GAAP reconciliation tables. 2. Operating margin is defined as operating gain divided by operating revenue. Management will host a conference call and webcast today at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (“EDT”) to discuss the company’s third quarter results and outlook. The conference call should be accessed at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call with the following numbers: The access code for today's conference call is 3972058. There is no access code for the replay. The replay will be available from 11:30 a.m. EDT today, until the end of the day on November 17, 2023. The call will also be available through a live webcast at www.elevancehealth.com under the “Investors” link. A webcast replay will be available following the call. Investor Relations: Media Contact: Elevance Health is a lifetime, trusted health partner fueled by its purpose to improve the health of humanity. The company supports consumers, families, and communities across the entire care journey – connecting them to the care, support, and resources they need to lead healthier lives. Elevance Health’s companies serve approximately 117 million people through a diverse portfolio of industry-leading medical, digital, pharmacy, behavioral, clinical, and complex care solutions. For more information, please visit www.elevancehealth.com or follow us @ElevanceHealth on Twitter and Elevance Health on LinkedIn. This document contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements reflect our views about future events and financial performance and are generally not historical facts. Words such as “expect,” “feel,” “believe,” “will,” “may,” “should,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “project,” “forecast,” “plan” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include, but are not limited to: financial projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions; statements regarding plans, objectives and expectations with respect to future operations, products and services; and statements regarding future performance. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond our control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date hereof. You are also urged to carefully review and consider the various risks and other disclosures discussed in our reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, which attempt to advise interested parties of the factors that affect our business. Except to the extent required by law, we do not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date hereof. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: trends in healthcare costs and utilization rates; reduced enrollment; our ability to secure and implement sufficient premium rates; the impact of large scale medical emergencies, such as public health epidemics and pandemics, including COVID-19, and other catastrophes; the impact of new or changes in existing federal, state and international laws or regulations, including healthcare laws and regulations, or their enforcement or application; the impact of cyber-attacks or other privacy or data security incidents or breaches or our failure to comply with any privacy or security laws or regulations, including any investigations, claims or litigation related thereto; information technology disruptions; changes in economic and market conditions, as well as regulations that may negatively affect our liquidity and investment portfolios; competitive pressures and our ability to adapt to changes in the industry and develop and implement strategic growth opportunities; risks and uncertainties regarding Medicare and Medicaid programs, including those related to non-compliance with the complex regulations imposed thereon; our ability to maintain and achieve improvement in Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Star ratings and other quality scores and funding risks with respect to revenue received from participation therein; a negative change in our healthcare product mix; costs and other liabilities associated with litigation, government investigations, audits or reviews; our ability to contract with providers on cost-effective and competitive terms; failure to effectively maintain and modernize our information systems; risks associated with providing pharmacy, healthcare and other diversified products and services, including medical malpractice or professional liability claims and non-compliance by any party with the pharmacy services agreement between us and CaremarkPCS Health, L.L.C.; risks associated with mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic alliances; possible impairment of the value of our intangible assets if future results do not adequately support goodwill and other intangible assets; possible restrictions in the payment of dividends from our subsidiaries and increases in required minimum levels of capital; our ability to repurchase shares of our common stock and pay dividends on our common stock due to the adequacy of our cash flow and earnings and other considerations; the potential negative effect from our substantial amount of outstanding indebtedness and the risk that increased interest rates or market volatility could impact our access to or further increase the cost of financing; a downgrade in our financial strength ratings; the effects of any negative publicity related to the health benefits industry in general or us in particular; events that may negatively affect our licenses with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association; intense competition to attract and retain employees; risks associated with our international operations; and various laws and provisions in our governing documents that may prevent or discourage takeovers and business combinations.
Basis of Presentation
Conference Call and Webcast
Elevance Health Contacts
Stephen Tanal
Stephen.Tanal@elevancehealth.com
Leslie Porras
Leslie.Porras@elevancehealth.comAbout Elevance Health, Inc.
Forward-Looking Statements
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