{{short description|American healthcare company}} {{Redirect|Wellpoint||Amerigroup}} {{Undue weight|date=May 2025|reason=Excessive focus on minor acquisitions, subsidiaries, and controversies.}} {{use American English|date=September 2022}} {{use mdy dates|date=September 2022}} {{Infobox company | name = Elevance Health, Inc. | logo = Elevance Health logo.svg | trade_name = Elevance Health<ref name=justia/> | image = | image_size = | image_caption = | former_name = Anthem, Inc. (2014–2022) | type = Public | traded_as = {{ubl|{{NYSE|ELV}}|S&P 500 component}} | founded = * {{Start date and age|1946}} (mutual Hospital Insurance Inc. and Mutual Medical Insurance Inc.) * {{Start date and age|2004}} (from Anthem and WellPoint Health Networks merger) | hq_location = Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. | key_people = {{Unbulleted list | Ramey Peru (chairman) | Gail Koziara Boudreaux (president & CEO)}} | industry = {{ubl|Managed healthcare|Insurance}} | products = {{ubl|Healthcare services|Health insurance|Health care provider|Pharmacy benefit manager}} | revenue = {{increase}} {{US$|197.6 billion|link=yes}} | revenue_year = 2025 | operating_income = {{decrease}} {{US$|7.703 billion}} | income_year = 2024 | net_income = {{decrease}} {{US$|5.980 billion}} | net_income_year = 2024 | assets = {{increase}} {{US$|116.9 billion}} | assets_year = 2024 | equity = {{increase}} {{US$|41.43 billion}} | equity_year = 2024 | num_employees = 104,200 | num_employees_year = 2024 | subsid = {{plainlist| * [https://www.anthem.com/ Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Affiliated Health Plans] * [https://www.wellpoint.com/ Wellpoint] * [https://www.carelon.com/ Carelon] * Carelon Global Solutions (BPO/Shared Services subsidiary) * Amerigroup * UniCare * National Government Services }} | website = {{URL|elevancehealth.com}} | footnotes = <ref name=FY2024>{{cite web|url=https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001156039/000115603925000010/elv-20241231.htm|title=Elevance Health, Inc. 2024 Annual Report (Form 10-K) |publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission |date=February 20, 2025}}</ref> }} thumb|The logo of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
'''Elevance Health, Inc.'''<ref name=justia>{{Cite web|url=https://trademarks.justia.com/979/75/elevance-97975247.html|title=Elevance Health - Trademark Details|website=Justia Trademarks|access-date=February 17, 2026}}</ref> is an American health insurance company. Prior to June 2022, Elevance Health was named '''Anthem, Inc'''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1156039/000119312522154417/d349212d8k.htm|publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission |date=May 18, 2022 |accessdate=June 28, 2022 |title=Form 8-K for Anthem Inc filed 05/18/2022}}</ref> The company is the world's seventh largest healthcare company based on revenue. Its services include medical, pharmaceutical, dental, behavioral health, long-term care, and disability plans through affiliated companies such as Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Anthem Blue Cross in California,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.anthem.com/anthem-health-plans|publisher=Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc.|accessdate=June 28, 2022|title=Anthem Health Plans}}</ref> Wellpoint, and Carelon.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/1939948/anthem-antm-unveils-two-brands-to-boost-whole-person-health|publisher=zacks.com|date=June 16, 2022|accessdate=June 28, 2022|title=Anthem (ANTM) Unveils Two Brands to Boost Whole Person Health}}</ref> It is the largest for-profit managed health care company in the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. As of 2022, the company had 46.8 million members within its affiliated companies' health plans.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Transcribing |first=Motley Fool |date=April 20, 2022 |title=Anthem (ANTM) Q1 2022 Earnings Call Transcript |url=https://www.fool.com/earnings/call-transcripts/2022/04/20/anthem-antm-q1-2022-earnings-call-transcript/ |access-date=2026-03-03 |website=The Motley Fool |language=en}}</ref>
Based on its 2021 revenues, the company ranked 20th on the 2022 ''Fortune'' 500.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fortune.com/company/elevance-health/fortune500 |title=Fortune 500 |publisher=Fortune.com |accessdate=June 24, 2022}}</ref> In 2023, the company's seat in Forbes Global 2000 rankings was 78.<ref>{{Cite web|language=en|url=https://www.forbes.com/lists/global2000/?sh=51d599675ac0|title=The Global 2000 2023|website=Forbes|access-date=2024-02-07|archive-date=2024-01-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129031905/https://www.forbes.com/lists/global2000/?sh=4f5ab07e5ac0}}</ref> Carelon Global Solutions, Elevance Health's Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)/Shared Services subsidiary, serves the group's offshore and customer service management. It operates sites in India, Puerto Rico, Philippines, and the United States.
== History == === Anthem ===
In 1946, '''Anthem''' began in Indianapolis, Indiana, as Mutual Hospital Insurance Inc. and Mutual Medical Insurance Inc. The companies grew significantly, controlling 80% of the medical insurance market in Indiana by the 1970s.<ref name=directory>{{cite news | author1=Brennan, Gerald | author2=David E. Salamie | title=WellPoint, Inc. | publisher=International Directory of Company Histories| editor=Jay P. Pederson | volume=103 | date=2009 | pages=505–514}}</ref>
In 1972, the two firms, then known as Blue Cross of Indiana and Blue Shield of Indiana, entered into a joint operating agreement.<ref>{{cite court |litigants=Blue Cross Blue Shield Antitrust Litigation (MDL No. 2406). Case has many plaintiffs and defendants|vol= |reporter=Case 2:12-cv-02532-RDP Document 263 |opinion=Master File No. 2:13-CV-20000-RDP |pinpoint=183-185 |court=U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama Southern Division |date=November 25, 2014 |url=https://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/providercomplaint.pdf |quote= |postscript=|via=WSJ }}</ref>
In 1985, the two companies merged into '''Associated Insurance Companies, Inc,''', later called, '''The Associated Group''', a holding company, but usage of the name "Anthem" persisted.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nj.gov/dobi/orders/ho051228.pdf | title=In the Matter of the Acquisition of Control of Wellchoice Insurance Hearing Officer's of New Jersey, Inc. by Wellpoint, Inc. Report and Wellpoint Holding Corp. | publisher=State of New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance}}</ref> In 1989, the company purchased American General Insurance Co. for $150 million and in 1991, it acquired The Shelby Insurance Co., based in Shelby, Ohio, for $125 million.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.ibj.com/articles/54164-from-the-archives-anthems-path-from-laggard-to-leader | title=FROM THE ARCHIVES: Anthem's path from laggard to leader | first=Greg | last=Andrews | work=American City Business Journals | date=July 24, 2015|access-date=2026-03-03}}</ref> In 1989, The Associated Group founded Acordia, a brokerage that sold and serviced insurance and employee benefit programs.<ref name="directory" />
In 1993, Acordia acquired American Business Insurance for $130 million<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/1997/02/17/story7.html | title=Acordia/Rauh placed on auction block for third time | first=Rajiv | last=Sekhri | work=American City Business Journals | date=February 17, 1997|access-date=2026-03-03}}</ref> and the Federal Kemper Insurance Company for $100 million.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/11/24/business/company-news-kemper-insurance-unit-to-be-sold-for-100-million.html | title=Company news; kemper insurance unit to be sold for $100 million | agency=Bloomberg News | work=The New York Times | date=November 24, 1993 | url-access=subscription}}</ref> The Associated Group merged with Southeastern Mutual Insurance Company, the operator of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kentucky.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1993/03/26/Indiana-Kentucky-Blues-to-merge/9128733122000/ | title=Indiana, Kentucky 'Blues' to merge | work=United Press International | date=March 26, 1993}}</ref> In 1994, it sold Raffensperger, Hughes & Co., Inc., Indiana's largest investment bank, to National City Corp.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/12/08/business/national-city-acquisition.html | title=National City Acquisition | agency=Reuters | work=The New York Times | date=December 8, 1994 | url-access=subscription}}</ref>
{{Anchor|Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield}}In 1995, The Associated Group acquired Community Mutual Insurance, a provider of Blue Cross and Blue Shield insurance plans in Ohio with over 1.9 million policy holders), then set up '''Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield'''.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/1998/11/09/story1.html | title=Anthem looking at mergers | first=Richard | last=Curtis | work=American City Business Journals | date=November 9, 1998|access-date=2026-03-03}}</ref><ref name="strategy">{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/05/30/business/anthem-s-strategy-bigger-the-better.html | title=Anthem's Strategy: Bigger the Better | first=Barnaby J. | last=Feder | work=The New York Times | date=May 30, 1996 | url-access=subscription|access-date=2026-03-03}}</ref> In 1996, The Associated Group changed its name to '''Anthem Insurance Company'''.<ref name="strategy" /> In August 1997, Anthem acquired Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Connecticut.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1997-08-02-9708020019-story.html | title=Blue Cross, Anthem Merge | first=Diane | last=Levick | work=Hartford Courant | date=August 2, 1997|access-date=2026-03-03}}</ref> It also sold Acordia to management.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Dow |date=August 5, 1997 |title=ACORDIA MANAGERS IN $330 MILLION DEAL TO BUY OUT FIRM |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/08/05/business/acordia-managers-in-330-million-deal-to-buy-out-firm.html |access-date=2026-03-03 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
In 1999, Anthem acquired Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Hampshire and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Colorado and Nevada, using debt financing. The acquisitions made since 1996 added 850,000 policy holders. Among its customer base were 2.4 million PPO and 964,000 HMO enrollees.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Press |first=The Associated |date=January 29, 1999 |title=Company News; Anthem Agrees to Buy Blue Cross of New Hampshire |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/01/29/business/company-news-anthem-agrees-to-buy-blue-cross-of-new-hampshire.html |access-date=2026-03-03 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
In 2000, Anthem acquired Blue Cross Blue Shield of Maine.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/stories/1999/07/12/daily7.html | title=Anthem to acquire Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Maine | work=American City Business Journals | date=July 13, 1999}}</ref> The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 made it possible for Anthem to undergo demutualization and become a public company via an initial public offering, which made it the fourth largest public managed health care company in the United States.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/stories/2001/11/05/story4.html | title=Anthem's IPO well received; stock trades heavily | first=Jennifer | last=Gordon | work=American City Business Journals | date=November 5, 2001|access-date=2026-03-03}}</ref>
In 2002, Anthem acquired Trigon Healthcare of Virginia, a Blue Cross and Blue Shield plan, the largest insurer in Virginia, for $4.04 billion. Anthem Insurance Company reached 11.9 million members.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2002/11/04/daily10.html | title=Trigon acquisition benefits Anthem | first=Jeff | last=Clabaugh | work=American City Business Journals | date=November 4, 2002|access-date=2026-03-03}}</ref>
=== Blue Cross of California ===
'''Blue Cross of California''' was the predecessor of '''WellPoint Health Network Inc'''.
In 1982, Blue Cross of California was founded with the consolidation of Blue Cross of Northern California (established in 1936) and Blue Cross of Southern California (established in 1937).<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-09-09-fi-7056-story.html | title=Merger Has Led to Strife at Blue Cross | first=JUBE | last=SHIVER Jr. | work=Los Angeles Times | date=September 9, 1985 | url-access=subscription|access-date=2026-03-03}}</ref>
In 1992, '''WellPoint''' was formed to operate Blue Cross of California's managed care business.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB106722987943779300 | title=Anthem to Acquire WellPoint Health | first1=Robin | last1=Sidel | first2=Rhonda | last2=Rundle | work=The Wall Street Journal | date=October 27, 2003 | url-access=subscription|access-date=2026-03-03}}</ref> In January 1993, Blue Cross of California spun off its managed care business into a publicly traded entity, '''WellPoint Health Networks Inc.''' Blue Cross of California retained an 80% interest and voting control.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our Companies {{!}} Elevance Health |url=https://www.elevancehealth.com/who-we-are/companies |access-date=2026-03-03 |website=www.elevancehealth.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1993/01/28/WellPoint-goes-public-investors-positive/3876728197200/ | title=WellPoint goes public, investors positive | work=United Press International | date=January 28, 1993}}</ref>
In 1996, Blue Cross of California restructured to a for-profit corporation, designating WellPoint Health Networks Inc. as the parent organization.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-blue-shield-california-20150318-story.html | title=With billions in the bank, Blue Shield of California loses its state tax-exempt status | first=Chad | last=Terhune | work=Los Angeles Times | date=March 18, 2015 | url-access=subscription|access-date=2026-03-03}}</ref> In April 1996, WellPoint completed its acquisition of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company's group life and health insurance subsidiaries for approximately $380 million, making it the second largest publicly held managed health company in the U.S. with 4 million policyholders.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1996-01-10-9601100015-story.html | title=MassMutual to Sell Group Life, Health Unit | work=Hartford Courant | date=January 10, 1996}}</ref>
In March 1997, WellPoint acquired the group health and life businesses of John Hancock Financial for $86.7 million. With this acquisition, WellPoint expanded its presence into Michigan, Texas, and the mid-Atlantic, and gained a unit that concentrated on serving the needs of large employers.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-10-11-fi-52706-story.html | title=WellPoint Buys Unit of John Hancock | first=David R. | last=Olmos | work=Los Angeles Times | date=October 11, 1996 | url-access=subscription|access-date=2026-03-03}}</ref>
In 2000, WellPoint acquired PrecisionRx, a mail service pharmacy fulfillment center in Texas.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=Barbara |date=October 17, 2000 |title=WellPoint to Acquire Pharmaceutical Facility |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-oct-17-me-37825-story.html |access-date=2026-03-03 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> In March 2000, WellPoint acquired Rush Prudential Health Plans, a Chicago provider, for $204 million.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=Barbara |date=March 14, 2000 |title=WellPoint Health Acquires Rush Presidential Health |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-mar-14-me-8586-story.html |access-date=2026-03-03 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> In March 2001, WellPoint acquired Cerulean Companies, the parent company of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2001/01/01/daily6.html | title=WellPoint set to buy Cerulean by March 31 | work=American City Business Journals | date=January 3, 2001}}</ref> In 2001, WellPoint offered to acquire CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield for $1.37 billion, including $119 million in bonuses to Carefirst executives.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2001/11/19/daily22.html | title=WellPoint to acquire CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield | first=Scott | last=Graham | work=American City Business Journals | date=November 21, 2001|access-date=2026-03-03}}</ref> In 2003, the offer was rejected by the Maryland insurance commissioner.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20030306/MODERNPHYSICIAN/303060313/maryland-insurance-commissioner-rejects-wellpoint-acquisition-of-carefirst | title=Maryland insurance commissioner rejects WellPoint acquisition of CareFirst | first=Leigh | last=Page | work=Modern Healthcare | date=March 6, 2003|access-date=2026-03-03}}</ref>
In 2002, WellPoint acquired RightChoice Managed Care, a Missouri-based company that ran Blue Cross and Blue Shield for part of the state, for $1.5 billion.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2001/12/24/focus6.html | title=RightChoice Managed Care Inc. acquired by L.A.-based WellPoint | first=Rick | last=Desloge | work=American City Business Journals | date=December 23, 2001|access-date=2026-03-03}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reliasmedia.com/articles/45058-missouri-blue-cross-health-care-foundation-is-held-out-as-national-model-for-conversions|title=Missouri Blue Cross health care foundation is held out as national...|website=Relias Media|access-date=2026-03-03}}</ref> RightChoice also owned provider network company HealthLink.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB1003423203547476240|title=WellPoint Agrees to Buy RightChoice For Cash, Stock Totaling $1.3 Billion - WSJ|first=Rhonda L. Rundle Staff Reporter of The Wall Street|last=Journal|work=Wall Street Journal |date=October 19, 2001 |access-date=2026-03-03}}</ref> WellPoint also acquired MethodistCare of Houston, Texas<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.chron.com/business/article/WellPoint-to-acquire-MethodistCare-2061616.php | title=WellPoint to acquire MethodistCare | first=Susan | last=Kreimer | work=Houston Chronicle | date=January 25, 2002|access-date=2026-03-03}}</ref> and HealthLink. In 2003, WellPoint acquired Golden West Dental and Vision of Camarillo, California, and Cobalt, including Blue Cross and Blue Shield United of Wisconsin.<ref>{{cite press release | url=https://ir.antheminc.com/news-releases/news-release-details/wellpoint-completes-acquisition-golden-west-dental-vision | title=WellPoint Completes Acquisition of Golden West Dental & Vision; Strengthens Commitment to Growth in the Dental Arena | publisher=Business Wire | date=June 30, 2003 | access-date=June 24, 2019 | archive-date=June 17, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617215612/https://ir.antheminc.com/news-releases/news-release-details/wellpoint-completes-acquisition-golden-west-dental-vision | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/04/business/wellpoint-in-deal-to-acquire-health-insurer-in-wisconsin.html | title=WellPoint in Deal to Acquire Health Insurer in Wisconsin | work=The New York Times | date=June 4, 2003 | last1=Sorkin | first1=Andrew Ross | last2=Freudenheim | first2=Milt |access-date=2020-03-02}}</ref>
In November 2004, '''Wellpoint, Inc.''' was formed by the merger of Anthem Insurance Company and WellPoint Health Networks Inc. The merger was structured as Anthem acquiring WellPoint Health Networks and renaming itself WellPoint, Inc. WellPoint continued to use 'Anthem' as the brand name under which it operated. It sold its Blue Cross and Blue Shield products in 11 states.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/stories/2004/11/29/daily17.html | title=WellPoint, Anthem complete merger | work=American City Business Journals | date=December 1, 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna6628263 | title=Anthem, Wellpoint complete $16.5 billion merger | agency=Associated Press | work=NBC News | date=December 1, 2004}}</ref>
In 2005, WellPoint acquired Alexandria, Virginia–based Lumenos, a provider of consumer-driven health care, for $185 million.<ref>{{cite news | title=WellPoint Acquires Health Plan Provider | date=June 10, 2005 | work=Best's Insurance News}}</ref> Lumenos was the pioneer and market leader in consumer-driven health plans. In December, WellPoint acquired WellChoice, a New York City-based Blue Cross Blue Shield provider, for approximately $6.5 billion,<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB113656268095439794 | title=Corporate Debt Offerings Boom As Buybacks, Deals Are Planned | first1=Christine | last1=Richard | first2=Tom | last2=Sullivan | work=The Wall Street Journal | date=January 7, 2006 | url-access=subscription|access-date=2020-03-02}}</ref> making New York the 14th state in which WellPoint is a Blue Cross Blue Shield licensee.
In 2007, WellPoint acquired Chicago-based American Imaging Management, a radiology benefit management company that creates software to help physicians choose cost-effective locations for their patients to receive medical imaging tests.<ref>{{cite press release | url=https://news.thomasnet.com/companystory/wellpoint-completes-acquisition-of-american-imaging-management-527136 | title=WellPoint Completes Acquisition of American Imaging Management | publisher=Thomas Register | date=August 9, 2007}}</ref> WellPoint also acquired Chicago-based American Imaging Management (AIM), the leading radiology benefit management company.
In January 2008, Leslie Margolin became the president of California operations. She resigned in July 2010.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://insurancenewsnet.com/oarticle/President-of-WellPoints-Anthem-Blue-in-California-Leaves-Post-a-209285 | title=President of WellPoint's Anthem Blue in California Leaves Post | work=Insurance Journal | date=July 21, 2010}}</ref> In 2008, WellPoint acquired Resolution Health, a firm that analyzes patient history for potential medical problems such as adverse drug interactions.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20080417/NEWS/777969519/wellpoint-purchases-data-firm-resolution-health | title=WellPoint purchases data firm Resolution Health | first=Jean | last=DerGurahian | work=Modern Healthcare | date=April 17, 2008|access-date=2020-03-02}}</ref> In 2009, WellPoint acquired DeCare Dental, a dental insurance firm.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/2009/04/20/daily26.html | title=WellPoint completes DeCare Dental acquisition | first=Chris | last=Newmarker | work=American City Business Journals | date=April 22, 2009|access-date=2020-03-02}}</ref>
In 2011, WellPoint acquired CareMore, a Cerritos, California-based provider of insurance and care centers for elderly patients.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2011/11/the-quiet-health-care-revolution/308667/ | title=The Quiet Health-Care Revolution| first1=Tom | last1=Main | first2=Adrian | last2=Slywotzky | work=The Atlantic | date=October 3, 2011|access-date=2020-03-02}}</ref> In 2012, WellPoint acquired Amerigroup for $4.9 billion, anticipating significant growth due to Medicaid expansion under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303343404577516393834465420 | title=WellPoint's Medicaid Bet | first1=Anna Wilde | last1=Mathews | first2=Jon | last2=Kamp | work=The Wall Street Journal | date=July 9, 2012 | url-access=subscription|access-date=2020-03-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/morning_call/2012/12/wellpoint-inc-acquires-amerigroup.html | title=WellPoint, Inc. acquires Amerigroup Corp. | first=Carla | last=Caldwell | work=American City Business Journals | date=December 25, 2012|access-date=2020-03-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/aroy/2012/07/11/wellpoint-buys-amerigroup-bets-big-on-medicaid-expansion-but-will-states-and-voters-cooperate/ | title=WellPoint Buys Amerigroup, Bets Big on Medicaid Expansion: But Will States and Voters Cooperate? | first=Avik | last=Roy | work=Forbes | date=July 11, 2012|access-date=2020-03-02}}</ref> In August 2012, CEO Angela Braly resigned due to pressure from investors.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20120828/NEWS/308289937/angela-braly-resigns-as-president-and-ceo-of-wellpoint | title=Angela Braly resigns as president and CEO of WellPoint | first=Andis | last=Robeznieks | work=Modern Healthcare | date=August 28, 2012|access-date=2020-03-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-xpm-2012-aug-29-la-fi-wellpoint-ceo-out-20120829-story.html | title=WellPoint CEO Angela Braly quits, bowing to investor pressure | first=Chad | last=Terhune | work=Los Angeles Times | date=August 28, 2012 | url-access=subscription|access-date=2020-03-02}}</ref>
On August 13, 2014, WellPoint announced it intended to change its name to '''Anthem, Inc.''', effective in December.<ref name="changes">{{cite news | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/wellpoint-changes-its-name-to-anthem-1407877202 | title=WellPoint Changes Its Name to Anthem | last=Matthews | first=Anna Wilde | work=The Wall Street Journal | date=August 12, 2014 | url-access=subscription|access-date=2020-03-02}}</ref>
=== Anthem, Inc. === In February 2015, the company acquired Simply Healthcare Holdings, a Medicaid and Medicare managed care company based in Florida.<ref>{{cite press release | url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150218005093/en/Anthem-Completes-Acquisition-Simply-Healthcare-Holdings | title=Anthem, Inc. Completes Acquisition of Simply Healthcare Holdings, Inc. | publisher=Business Wire | date=February 18, 2015}}</ref> In June 2015, Anthem made an offer to acquire Cigna for more than $54 billion in cash and stock.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cane |first=Jeffrey |last2=Abelson |first2=Reed |date=June 20, 2015 |title=Anthem Makes $47 Billion Offer for Rival Cigna |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/21/business/dealbook/anthem-makes-47-billion-offer-for-rival-cigna.html |access-date=2026-03-05 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cigna-m-a-anthem/anthem-to-buy-cigna-creating-biggest-u-s-health-insurer-idUSKCN0PY12B20150724 | title=Anthem to buy Cigna to create biggest U.S. health insurer | first1=Ankur | last1=Banerjee | first2=Ransdell | last2=Pierson | work=Reuters | date=July 24, 2015|access-date=2020-03-02}}</ref> In February 2017, United States district court Judge Amy Berman Jackson blocked the Cigna merger on grounds of anti-competitive practices.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/federal-judge-blocks-anthems-planned-acquisition-of-cigna-1486599640 | title=Federal Judge Blocks Anthem's Planned Acquisition of Cigna | last1=Wilde Mathews | first1=Anna | last2=Kendall | first2=Brent | work=The Wall Street Journal | date=February 9, 2017 | url-access=subscription|access-date=2020-03-02}}</ref> On February 14, Cigna called off its merger agreement with Anthem.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mathews |first=Anna Wilde |last2=Kendall |first2=Brent |date=February 14, 2017 |title=Antitrust Rulings Put Chill on Health-Insurance Mergers |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/cigna-calls-off-merger-with-anthem-1487104016 |access-date=2026-03-05 |work=Wall Street Journal |language=en-US |issn=0099-9660}}</ref>
In October 2017, Anthem announced that it would not renew its pharmacy benefit management (PBM) relationship with Express Scripts saying it had been overcharged $3 billion and that instead, Anthem would eventually handle the PBM process itself through its new IngenioRx unit. Anthem announced that it would enter a 5-year contract with CVS Health.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-18/anthem-breaking-with-express-scripts-plans-own-benefits-firm | title=Anthem Breaks With Express Scripts, Will Start Own Drug Plan | first1=Cristin | last1=Flanagan | first2=Natasha | last2=Rausch | work=Bloomberg News | date=October 18, 2017|access-date=2020-03-02}}</ref> Cigna then announced plans in March 2018 to acquire Express Scripts for $58 billion.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Thomas |first=Katie |last2=Abelson |first2=Reed |last3=Bray |first3=Chad |date=March 8, 2018 |title=Cigna to Buy Express Scripts in $52 Billion Health Care Deal |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/08/business/dealbook/cigna-express-scripts.html |access-date=2026-03-05 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> On November 6, 2017, Gail Koziara Boudreaux was named CEO.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/06/anthem-names-industry-veteran-gail-boudreaux-as-new-ceo.html | title=Anthem names industry veteran Gail Boudreaux as new CEO | agency=Reuters | publisher=CNBC | date=November 6, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Leonardo |first=Spinazzola |date=December 8, 2023 |title=gg777 |url=https://gg777.bid |access-date=2026-03-05 |website=gg777.bid |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2018, the company announced a $20 million expansion of its headquarters and the signing of a lease in Atlanta for its technology center.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2018/05/22/anthem-blue-cross-blue-shield-expand-downtown-indianapolis-headquarters/631894002/ | title=Anthem is not only staying but expanding in Downtown Indianapolis | first=Vic | last=Ryckaert | work=USA Today | date=May 22, 2018 |access-date=2020-03-02}}</ref> In March 2020, Anthem announced the acquisition of Beacon Health Options, and independently held behavioral health organization.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200302005275/en/Anthem-Completes-Acquisition-Beacon-Health-Options|title=Anthem, Inc. Completes Acquisition of Beacon Health Options|date=March 2, 2020|website=www.businesswire.com|language=en|access-date=2020-03-03}}</ref>
On February 2, 2021, Anthem announced the acquisition of InnovaCare Health's Puerto Rico subsidiaries including MMM Holdings, LLC ("MMM") and its Medicare Advantage (MA) plan MMM Healthcare, LLC as well as affiliated companies and Medicaid plan.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucejapsen/2021/02/02/anthem-to-buy-puerto-rico-health-plans-medicare-and-medicaid-business |title=Anthem To Buy Puerto Rico Medicare And Medicaid Plans |date=February 2, 2021 |website=Forbes.com |language=en |access-date=2020-02-02}}</ref> In November 2021, Anthem announced the acquisition of Integra Managed Care in New York.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/anthem-buy-integra-managed-care-new-york/609805/ |title=Anthem plans to buy Integra Managed Care in New York |publisher=healthcaredive.com |accessdate=December 5, 2021}}</ref> The acquisition of the New York-based international health insurance company was completed on May 5, 2022.<ref>{{cite journal|date=May 5, 2022|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/anthem-inc-completes-acquisition-integra-114800417.html|title=Anthem, Inc. Completes Acquisition of Integra Managed Care|journal=Yahoo Finance|access-date=May 5, 2022}}</ref>
On June 28, 2022, Anthem announced a change of its corporate name to '''Elevance Health, Inc.''' and also changed its stock ticker symbol from "ANTM" to "ELV".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.elevancehealth.com/faq-anthem-to-elevance-health|title=FAQ Anthem Inc. to Elevance Health|date=June 28, 2022|website=ElevanceHealth.com|language=en|access-date=2022-06-28}}</ref>
=== Elevance Health ===
On January 23, 2023, Elevance announced that it entered a definitive agreement to acquire Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, increasing Elevance's footprint to 15 states and adding 1.9 million new members.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Elevance Health to Acquire Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana {{!}} Elevance Health |url=https://www.elevancehealth.com/newsroom/elevance-health-to-acquire-blue-cross-and-blue-shield-of-louisiana |access-date=2024-02-05 |website=www.elevancehealth.com |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2023, Elevance announced that it would rebrand its Amerigroup business as Wellpoint starting in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/elevance-health-rebrand-amerigroup-plans-wellpoint-6-states|title=Elevance to rebrand Amerigroup plans as Wellpoint in 6 states|date=July 31, 2023 }}</ref>
As of 2025, Elevance subsidiaries Carelon Behavioral Health and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield are the subject of three lawsuits in New York and Connecticut alleging that they operate ghost networks.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hollowell |first=Ashleigh |date=July 15, 2025 |title=Carelon, Elevance and Anthem Hit With Another Ghost Network Lawsuit |url=https://bhbusiness.com/2025/07/15/carelon-elevance-and-anthem-hit-with-another-ghost-network-lawsuit/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250918195307/https://bhbusiness.com/2025/07/15/carelon-elevance-and-anthem-hit-with-another-ghost-network-lawsuit/ |archive-date=2025-09-18 |access-date=2025-11-12 |website=Behavioral Health Business |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Clason |first=Lauren |date=July 15, 2025 |title=Anthem Hit With Third Class Action on Alleged 'Ghost Networks' |url=https://news.bloomberglaw.com/health-law-and-business/anthem-hit-with-third-class-action-on-alleged-ghost-networks |work=Bloomberg Law}}</ref>
== Subsidiaries == Elevance Health includes the following subsidiaries:<ref name="ldi">{{Cite web |title=Exhibit 3: Pre-Acquisition Organizational Chart for Acquirors and their Affiliates |url=https://ldi.la.gov/docs/default-source/doments/legaldocs/public-comments-dec23/bcbsla-coc/exhibcuit-3---elevance-health-pre-closing-org-chart.pdf?sfvrsn=f6354652_6 |access-date=November 9, 2025 |website=ldi.la.gov}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.elevancehealth.com/who-we-are/companies | title=Our Companies | Elevance Health |access-date=2020-03-02}}</ref> * Amerigroup ** District of Columbia (Medicaid) ** Georgia (Medicaid) ** New Mexico (Medicare Advantage) * Anthem Blue Cross ** California *** Blue Cross of California Partnership Plan (Medicaid) ** New York (upstate) * Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield ** Colorado ** Connecticut ** Georgia ** Indiana (includes Medicaid) ** Kentucky *** Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medicaid ** Maine ** Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area) ** Nevada *** Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Healthcare Solutions (Medicaid) ** New Hampshire ** New York (downstate) *** HealthPlus (Medicaid) ** Ohio ** Virginia (excluding Alexandria City, Arlington County, Falls Church City, and parts of Fairfax County) *** HealthKeepers (Medicaid) ** Wisconsin * Carelon Behavioral Health ** Carelon Behavioral Health of California ** Carelon Behavioral Health of Kansas ** Carelon Health of Pennsylvania * Carelon Global Solutions (Business Process Outsourcing/Shared Services) * Freedom Health ** Florida * Golden West Dental & Vision ** California * HealthSun ** Florida * MMM ** Puerto Rico * Optimum Healthcare ** Florida * Simply Healthcare ** Florida * UniCare ** West Virginia * WellPoint ** Arizona (Medicare Advantage) ** Iowa (Medicaid and Medicare Advantage) ** Maryland (Medicaid) ** Massachusetts (government employees) ** New Jersey (Medicaid and Medicare Advantage) ** Tennessee (Medicaid and Medicare Advantage) ** Texas (Medicaid and Medicare Advantage) ** Washington (Medicaid and Medicare Advantage)
=== Joint ventures === Elevance Health operates joint ventures including:<ref name="ldi"/> * Anthem | MaineHealth (with MaineHealth) ** Maine * Blue Medicare Advantage (with Independence Blue Cross) ** Pennsylvania * Colorado Community Health Alliance (with Centura Health, Physician Health Partners and Primary Physician Partners) ** Colorado * Healthy Blue Kansas (with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City) ** Kansas * Healthy Blue Louisiana (with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana) ** Louisiana * Summit Community Care ** Arkansas * Centers Plan for Healthy Living ** New York, Florida
== Quality of care == In 2011, in the category of "Meeting National Standards of Care," California's state patient advocacy office gave Anthem a rating of 2 out of 4 stars.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://reportcard.opa.ca.gov/rc2012/medicalgroupabout.aspx | title=About the Medical Group Ratings | publisher=Government of California|access-date=2020-03-02}}</ref> In 2014, it received 3 out of 4 stars in the same category.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-health-ratings-20140129-story.html | title=Report criticizes California health plans for treatment of chronic ailments | first=Chad | last=Terhune | work=Los Angeles Times | date=January 28, 2014 | url-access=subscription|access-date=2020-03-02}}</ref> In 2022, twenty-one of Elevance Health's affiliated Medicaid plans earned accreditation for health equity from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.healthleadersmedia.com/payer/elevance-health-medicaid-plans-earn-ncqa-health-equity-accreditation |title=Elevance Health Medicaid Plans Earn NCQA Health Equity Accreditation |publisher=HealthLeaders |author=Jay Asser |date=November 30, 2022 |access-date=March 2, 2023}}</ref>
== Controversies == {{Criticism section|date=June 2025}}
=== Charitable donations === In 2007, WellPoint pledged to spend $30 million over three years, through the company's charitable foundation, to help the uninsured. In March 2010, the ''Los Angeles Times'' reported that WellPoint's tax records and website showed that the company had given only $6.2 million by 2009. The company said that the foundation had indeed fulfilled its $30-million commitment by mid-2009, but refused to provide any financial details to support its claim.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-mar-18-la-fi-wellpoint18-2010mar18-story.html | work=Los Angeles Times | title=WellPoint's giving for uninsured falls short, records show | first=Noam | last=Levey | date=March 18, 2010 | url-access=subscription|access-date=2020-03-02}}</ref>
=== 2007 DMHC investigation === In 2007, the California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) investigated Anthem's policies for revoking (rescinding) health care insurance policies. The DMHC randomly selected 90 instances where Anthem canceled the insurance of policy holders who had been diagnosed with costly or life-threatening illnesses, to find how many of these cancellations were legal. The agency concluded that all these cancellations were illegal.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-insurers/insurer-targeted-hiv-patients-to-drop-coverage-idUSTRE62G2DO20100317 |title=Insurer targeted HIV patients to drop coverage | first=Murray | last=Waas | work=Reuters | date=March 18, 2010|access-date=2020-03-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2010/04/24-1 | title=WellPoint Routinely Targets Breast Cancer Patients | publisher=Common Dreams | date=April 24, 2000}}</ref>
In July 2008, Anthem Blue Cross agreed to a settlement with the California Department of Managed Health Care; however in doing so, WellPoint did not officially admit liability. To resolve allegations of improper policy rescissions (cancellations), WellPoint paid $10 million and reinstated plans for 1,770 policy-holders who were affected by cancelled policies. The company also agreed to provide compensation for any medical debts incurred by these policy-holders.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2008/07/17/health-insurers-to-pay-state-regulators/ | title=Health insurers to pay state regulators | agency=Associated Press | publisher=East Bay Times | date=July 17, 2008}}</ref>
=== 2010 Reuters exposé === In April 2010, Reuters alleged that Wellpoint "using a computer algorithm, identified women recently diagnosed with breast cancer and then singled them out for cancellation of their policies."<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-wellpoint-breastcancer1/corrected-wellpoint-routinely-targets-breast-cancer-patients-idUSTRE63M5D420100423 | title=WellPoint routinely targets breast cancer patients | first=Murray | last=Waas | work=Reuters | date=April 23, 2010|access-date=2020-03-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Waas |first=Murray |date=April 24, 2010 |title=WellPoint routinely targets breast cancer patients |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/wellpoint-routinely-targets-breast-cancer-patients-idUSTRE63M5D4/ |access-date=August 6, 2024 |website=Reuters}}</ref> The software used immediately triggered fraud investigation for those recently diagnosed with the disease as the company searched for some pretext to drop their policies.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 23, 2010 |title=Corrected: WellPoint routinely targets breast cancer patients |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-wellpoint-breastcancer1-idUSTRE63M5D420100423 |access-date=2023-10-05}}</ref> Wellpoint argued that its algorithm was scanning for diagnostic codes for conditions that patients might have known about during the insurance application.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 23, 2010 |title=U.S. to WellPoint: Stop dropping breast cancer patients |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-wellpoint-idUSTRE63M2YM20100423 |access-date=2023-10-05}}</ref> The story not only caused considerable public outrage, but it also led Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, and President Barack Obama, to call on WellPoint to end the practice.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2010/05/how-wellpoint-s-bad-behavior-advances-health-care-reform.html | title=How WellPoint's bad behavior advances health care reform. | first=Timothy | last=Noah | work=Slate | date=May 10, 2010|access-date=2020-03-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=April 23, 2010 |title=U.S. tells insurer: Quit dropping cancer patients |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna36738112 |access-date=August 6, 2024 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref>
In 2011, Anthem began cancelling policies of members who had been paying premiums with credit cards, sometimes without calling or emailing the member ahead of time.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-xpm-2011-sep-20-la-fi-lazarus-20110920-story.html | title=Using plastic to pay Anthem bill? Prepare to lose your coverage | first=David | last=Lazarus | author-link=David Lazarus | work=Los Angeles Times | date=September 20, 2011 | url-access=subscription |access-date=2020-03-02}}</ref>
=== Opposition to healthcare reform === In August 2009, Anthem, the largest for-profit insurer in California, contacted its employees and urged them to get involved to oppose healthcare reforms proposed during the Obama administration. Consumer Watchdog, a nonprofit watchdog organization in Santa Monica, asked California Attorney General Jerry Brown to investigate its claim that WellPoint had illegally pushed workers to write to their elected officials, attend town hall meetings and enlist family and friends to ensure an overhaul that would match the firm's interests. According to Consumer Watchdog, California's labor code directly prohibits coercive communications, including forbidding employers from controlling, coercing or influencing employees' political activities or affiliations. WellPoint had not been contacted by the California attorney general and had not seen any complaint.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-sep-03-fi-insurers-reform3-story.html | first=Carol J. | last=Williams | work=Los Angeles Times | title=2 giant health insurers accused of illegal steps to thwart change | date=September 3, 2009 | url-access=subscription|access-date=2020-03-02}}</ref>
Through 2010 and into 2011, WellPoint senior executives met monthly with executives of other major health insurers to blunt the effect of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.<ref>{{cite news | title=UnitedHealth Joins WellPoint to hone Health Law Lobby | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2011-01-31/unitedhealth-joins-wellpoint-in-alliance-aiming-to-hone-health-law-lobby | first=Drew | last=Armstrong | work=Bloomberg News | date=January 31, 2011|access-date=2020-03-02}}</ref>
=== Premium increases in Maine === In 2009, Anthem Health Plans of Maine, a WellPoint subsidiary, sued the state of Maine for the right to increase premiums further.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://seminal.firedoglake.com/diary/8735 | title=WellPoint Sues Maine To Raise Premiums 18.5% - MyFDL | work=firedoglake.com | access-date=October 6, 2009 | archive-date=January 5, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100105004043/http://seminal.firedoglake.com/diary/8735 | url-status=dead }}</ref> Since Maine licenses insurance companies through its Bureau of Insurance, Anthem needed the state's permission to raise rates.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/wellpoint-subsidiary-figh_n_309529 | work=HuffPost | first=Arthur | last=Delaney | title=WellPoint Subsidiary Fights Maine Over Big Rate Hike (VIDEO) | date=October 5, 2009|access-date=2020-03-02}}</ref> The Court disagreed with Anthem and found that, unlike with other forms of insurance, the Maine Insurance Code does not require the Superintendent to consider profits.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://mainecahc.org/wp-content/uploads/Anthem_summary.pdf | title=Summary of Key Points of Anthem Health Plans of Maine, Inc. v. Superintendent of Insurance, Maine Attorney General, and Consumers for Affordable Health Care | access-date=June 23, 2019 | archive-date=January 16, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220116010157/https://mainecahc.org/wp-content/uploads/Anthem_summary.pdf | url-status=dead }}</ref>
=== Rate increases in California === In February 2010, WellPoint announced that rates would increase on some Anthem Blue Cross individual policies in California by as high as 39%. The announcement resulted in an investigation by regulators from the Federal and California governments.<ref name=raises/> Anthem Blue Cross gained worldwide media attention and became a poster child for the problem of rising cost of health care in the U.S.<ref name=raises/> The rate increase came one year after Anthem had raised rates 68% on individual policy holders.<ref name="raises">{{cite news | url=https://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Anthem-Blue-Cross-raises-premiums-3273960.php | title=Anthem blue cross raises premiums | work=San Francisco Chronicle | first=Victoria | last=Colliver | date=February 6, 2010|access-date=2020-03-02}}</ref>
To explain the rate increases, some which were four times the rate of medical inflation, Anthem said the company had experienced a death spiral: the company claimed that with increased unemployment and declining wages, healthy customers dropped their insurance policies. Consequently, the remaining risk pool became sicker and thus more expensive to insure; and, in turn, prices were forced up and pushed more people out of the market.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/16/health/policy/16anthem.html | title=In California, Exhibit A in Debate on Insurance | first=Kevin | last=Sack | work=The New York Times | date=February 16, 2010 | url-access=subscription|access-date=2020-03-02}}</ref>
In response to the outrage from politicians and consumers, Anthem postponed the rate increase until May 1, 2010.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newsday.com/business/anthem-to-delay-insurance-rate-hike-amid-criticism-c78870 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190805132437/https://www.newsday.com/business/anthem-to-delay-insurance-rate-hike-amid-criticism-1.1758715 | url-status=live | archive-date=August 5, 2019 | title=Anthem to delay insurance rate hike amid criticism | agency=Associated Press | publisher=Newsday | date=February 14, 2010}}</ref>
Senator Dianne Feinstein of California proposed giving the Federal government of the United States authority to block insurance premium hikes that it considers to be "unjustified".<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2010/02/19/feinstein-takes-on-anthem-blue-cross-over-premium-hikes/ | title=Feinstein takes on anthem blue cross | first=Mike | last=Zapler | work=San Jose Mercury News | date=February 19, 2010|access-date=2020-03-02}}</ref>
=== WellPoint cost reclassification === On March 17, 2010, WellPoint announced it was reclassifying some of its administrative costs as medical care costs in order to meet loss ratio requirements under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which requires insurers to spend at least 80% or 85% of customer premiums on health care services, depending on the type of plan.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://thinkprogress.org/wellpoint-reclassifies-costs-as-medical-care-to-meet-reform-s-medical-loss-ratio-requirement-e571747d68f4/ | title=WellPoint Reclassifies Costs As 'Medical Care' To Meet Reform's Medical Loss Ratio Requirement | first=Igor | last=Volsky | work=Think Progress | date=March 31, 2010|access-date=2020-03-02}}</ref>
=== 2009–2010 data breach === In June 2010, Anthem sent letters to 230,000 customers in California warning them that their personal data might have been accessed online via a data breach. After a routine upgrade in October 2009, a third-party vendor stated that all security measures had been properly reinstated, when in fact they had not. As a result, personal information of thousands of coverage applicants who were under the age of 65 was exposed in the open. After a Los Angeles-area woman found that her application for coverage was publicly available, she filed a class action lawsuit against Anthem. While gathering evidence for the proceeding, the woman's lawyers downloaded some confidential customer information from Anthem's website and alerted Anthem about the breach. According to the lawyers, confidential information had remained exposed for five months.<ref>{{cite news | last=Perkes | first=Courtney | url=https://www.ocregister.com/2010/06/24/personal-data-accessed-on-blue-cross-website/ | title=Personal data accessed on insurer Web site | work=Orange County Register | date=October 23, 2010|access-date=2020-03-02}}</ref> Greg Zoeller, Indiana's Attorney General, filed a lawsuit against the company seeking $300,000 in civil penalties for the company alleged failure to notify its consumers about the breach.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 8, 2010 |title=Indiana AG sues WellPoint over timing of breach notifications |url=https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/it/indiana-ag-sues-wellpoint-over-timing-breach-notifications |access-date=October 6, 2023 |website=Fierce Healthcare}}</ref>
=== Denial of benefits for cancer treatment === In May 2014, Anthem Blue Cross refused to pay for the hospitalization of a Sonoma County, California man for stage four cancers, although he had paid Anthem over $100,000 in premiums.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2014/05/28/health-insurance-provider-denies-cancer-treatment-premium-mri-scan-tumor-sonoma-county-man-battling-cancer-denied-coverage-by-anthem-blue-cross-after-paying-100k-in-premiums/ | title=Sonoma County Man Battling Cancer Denied Coverage By Anthem Blue Cross After Paying $100K In Premiums | first=Andria | last=Borba | work=KPIX-TV | date=May 28, 2014}} includes video and transcript of coverage.</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://zoekeating.tumblr.com/post/86148140639/unbelievable | title=Unbelievable | publisher=tumblr.com | date=May 18, 2014}}</ref> Anthem ended up paying for coverage following public outcry.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2014/05/30/anthem-blue-cross-to-cover-sonoma-county-cancer-patient-after-kpix-5-report-health-insurance-provider-denies-treatment-premium-mri-scan-tumor-paying-100k-in-premiums-jeffrey-rusch-zoe-keating/ | title=Anthem Blue Cross To Cover Sonoma County Cancer Patient After KPIX 5 Report | work=cbslocal.com| date=May 30, 2014 }}</ref>
=== 2015 data breach === {{main|Anthem medical data breach}}
On February 4, 2015, Anthem, Inc. disclosed that criminal hackers had broken into its servers and potentially stolen over 37.5 million records that contain personally identifiable information from its servers. According to Anthem, Inc., the data breach extended into multiple brands Anthem, Inc. uses to market its healthcare plans, including, Anthem Blue Cross, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia, Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Amerigroup, Caremore, and UniCare.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://krebsonsecurity.com/2015/02/data-breach-at-health-insurer-anthem-could-impact-millions/ | title=Data Breach at Health Insurer Anthem Could Impact Millions | work=Brian Krebs | date=February 4, 2015}}</ref> Healthlink was also victimized. Anthem says the medical information and financial data was not compromised. Anthem has offered free credit monitoring in the wake of the breach.<ref>{{cite news | last=Pepitone | first=Julianne | title=Anthem Hack: Credit Monitoring Won't Catch Medical Identity Theft | url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/anthem-hack-credit-monitoring-wont-catch-medical-identity-theft-n300836 | work=NBC News| date=February 5, 2015|access-date=2020-03-02}}</ref> According to Bloomberg News, China may be responsible for this data breach. Michael Daniel, chief adviser on cybersecurity for President Barack Obama, said he would be changing his own password.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-05/signs-of-china-sponsored-hackers-seen-in-anthem-attack | title=Chinese State-Sponsored Hackers Suspected in Anthem Attack | first=Michael A. | last=Riley| work=Bloomberg News | date=February 5, 2015|access-date=2020-03-02}}</ref> About 80 million company records were hacked, stoking fears that the stolen data could be used for identity theft.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/06/business/experts-suspect-lax-security-left-anthem-vulnerable-to-hackers.html | title=Anthem Hacking Points to Security Vulnerability of Health Care Industry | first1=Reed | last1=Abelson | first2=Matthew | last2=Goldstein | work=The New York Times | date=February 5, 2015 | url-access=subscription}}</ref> The compromised information contained names, birthdays, medical IDs, social security numbers, street addresses, e-mail addresses, employment information and income data.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/02/04/health-care-anthem-hacked/22900925/ | title=Massive breach at health care company Anthem Inc. | first=Elizabeth | last=Weise | work=USA Today | date=February 4, 2015}}</ref> In June 2017, Anthem agreed to spend $115M to settle allegations that it failed to adequately protect the data of its clients, the sum was to be spent on two years of services to protect victims from identity theft.<ref>{{Cite news|date=June 23, 2017|title=Anthem to pay record $115 million to settle U.S. lawsuits over data breach|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-anthem-cyber-settlement-idUSKBN19E2ML|access-date=2022-02-23}}</ref> In 2019, two Chinese nationals were indicted for the breach.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/05/09/chinese-hackers-anthem-data-breach-1421341 | title=Chinese nationals charged for Anthem hack, 'one of the worst data breaches in history' | first=Eric | last=Geller | work=Politico | date=May 9, 2019|access-date=2020-03-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://thehill.com/homenews/443028-chinese-nationals-indicted-for-anthem-data-breach-other-cyber-intrusions-into-us | title=Chinese nationals indicted for Anthem data breach, other cyber intrusions into U.S. companies | first=Maggie | last=Miller | work=The Hill | date=May 9, 2019|access-date=2020-03-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/09/technology/anthem-hack-indicted-breach.html | title=Two From China Are Charged in 2014 Anthem Data Breach | first=Nicole | last=Perlroth | work=The New York Times | date=May 9, 2019 | url-access=subscription|access-date=2020-03-02}}</ref>
=== "Avoidable ER program" === Beginning in 2015, Anthem has been implementing and expanding its "avoidable ER program<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Raphelson|first=Samantha|date=May 23, 2018|title=Anthem Policy Discouraging 'Avoidable' Emergency Room Visits Faces Criticism|language=en|work=NPR|url=https://www.npr.org/2018/05/23/613649094/anthem-policy-discouraging-avoidable-emergency-room-visits-faces-criticism|access-date=2022-02-23}}</ref>" which means not reimbursing ER visits when the cause is not covered by the company. A few patients found out that they had been stuck with bills of over $10,000 that Anthem refused to reimburse.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=November 8, 2018|title=Column: Anthem's effort to punish patients for 'unnecessary' ER visits has been a bust--but still burdens patients|url=https://www.latimes.com/business/hiltzik/la-fi-hiltzik-anthem-20181107-story.html|access-date=2022-02-23|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref> According to a 2013 report by the Journal of the American Medical Association, 87 percent of patients initially triaged as non-urgent ended up with a diagnosis that constituted an emergency.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=March 20, 2014|title=Comparison of presenting complaint vs. discharge diagnosis for identifying "non-emergency" emergency department visits|pmc=3711676 |language=en-US|last1=Raven |first1=M. |last2=Lowe |first2=R. A. |last3=Maselli |first3=J. |last4=Hsia |first4=R. Y. |journal=Journal of the American Medical Association |volume=309 |issue=11 |pages=1145–1153 |doi=10.1001/jama.2013.1948 |pmid=23512061 }}</ref> Critics derided the scheme, citing that it was unlawful by federal law to cover a person based on diagnosis, not symptoms.<ref name=":0" /> It was also considered unsafe, as it pressured patients to diagnose themselves before going to the ER.<ref name=":1" />
=== Neglecting complaints === In 2017, the California Department of Managed Health Care fined the company $5 million for untimely response to consumer complaints.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/01/30/689543362/patients-suffer-as-insurers-and-big-health-systems-spar-for-market-share | title=Patients Suffer As Insurers And Big Health Systems Spar For Market Share | first=Barbara Feder | last=Ostrov | work=NPR | date=January 30, 2019|access-date=2020-03-02}}</ref> In 2019, this was settled at $2.8 million.<ref>{{Cite news| url=https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/health-and-medicine/article231285913.ece | title=Anthem to pay 'very large fine,' correct how it handles California patients' complaints | first=Cathie | last=Anderson | work=The Sacramento Bee | date=June 7, 2019 | issn=0890-5738|access-date=2020-03-02}}</ref>
=== 2019 lawsuit for coercive direct payments === In 2019, Sovereign Health pressed charges against Anthem, alleging that it was using direct payments to compel them to join Anthem's network under unfavorable terms.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Wayne Drash|title=Insurer skips doctors and sends massive checks to patients, prompting million-dollar lawsuit|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/01/health/anthem-insurance-payments-patients-eprise/index.html|access-date=2022-02-23|website=CNN|date=March 2019 }}</ref> Sovereign owns facilities that treat people with addiction and mental health problems.
=== Diagnostics fraud === In March 2020, Anthem was sued by the Department of Justice. The lawsuit alleges that Anthem had submitted inaccurate diagnostics data in order to obtain increased Medicare reimbursements.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Reuter|first=Elise|date=March 28, 2020|title=Justice Department accuses Anthem of Medicare fraud|url=https://medcitynews.com/2020/03/justice-department-accuses-anthem-of-medicare-advantage-fraud/|access-date=2022-02-23|website=MedCity News|language=en-US}}</ref> In October 2022, a judge ordered Anthem to face the lawsuit.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stempel |first=Jonathan |date=October 3, 2022 |title=Anthem must face U.S. government lawsuit alleging Medicare Advantage fraud |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/anthem-must-face-us-government-lawsuit-alleging-medicare-advantage-fraud-2022-10-03/ |access-date=August 6, 2024 |website=Reuters}}</ref>
=== Medicare Advantage star rating === In January 2024, Elevance Health filed a lawsuit with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) challenging changes in the Medicare Advantage star rating methodology. Star ratings are tied to key bonus payouts, and due to the new rating system in 2024 ratings have significantly decreased.<ref>{{Cite web|language=en|url=https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/elevance-health-sues-feds-challenging-changes-ma-star-ratings-methodology|title=Elevance Health sues feds, challenging changes to MA star ratings methodology|website=Fierce Healthcare|date=January 5, 2024 |access-date=2024-02-27|archive-date=2024-02-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228032342/https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/elevance-health-sues-feds-challenging-changes-ma-star-ratings-methodology}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|language=en|url=https://healthpayerintelligence.com/news/elevance-health-lawsuit-slams-medicare-advantage-star-ratings-calculation|title=Elevance Health Lawsuit Slams Medicare Advantage Star Ratings Calculation|website=Health Payer Intelligence|access-date=2024-02-27|archive-date=2024-02-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240210132339/https://healthpayerintelligence.com/news/elevance-health-lawsuit-slams-medicare-advantage-star-ratings-calculation}}</ref>
== Finances == For the fiscal year 2017, Anthem reported earnings of US$3.843 billion, with an annual revenue of US$90.039 billion, an increase of 6.1% over the previous fiscal cycle. Anthem's shares traded at over $183 per share, and its market capitalization was valued at over US$69.1 billion in October 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/ANTM/anthem/revenue|title=Anthem Revenue 2006-2018 {{!}} ANTM|website=www.macrotrends.net|access-date=2018-10-31}}</ref> {| class="wikitable float-left" style="text-align: right;" !Year !Revenue<br />in mil. US$ !Net income<br />in mil. US$ !Total assets<br />in mil. US$ !Price per share<br />in US$ !Employees |- |2005 |44,614 |2,464 |51,287 |60.61 | |- |2006 |57,058 |3,095 |51,575 |66.39 | |- |2007 |61,168 |3,345 |52,060 |71.13 | |- |2008 |61,251 |2,491 |48,403 |46.09 | |- |2009 |64,940 | 4,746 |52,125 |41.67 | |- |2010 |58,699 | 2,887 |50,167 |50.00 | |- |2011 |60,711 |2,647 |52,163 |60.91 | |- |2012 |61,497 |2,656 |58,955 |57.16 | |- |2013 |71,024 |2,490 |59,575 |72.27 |48,000 |- |2014 |73,874 |2,570 |61,676 |101.39 |51,000 |- |2015 |79,157 | 2,560 |61,718 |140.42 |53,000 |- |2016 |84,863 |2,470 |65,083 |129.28 |53,000 |- |2017 |90,040 |3,843 |70,540 |183.12 |56,000 |- |2018<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.annualreports.com/HostedData/AnnualReportArchive/a/NYSE_ANTM_2018.pdf |title=Anthem's 2018 Annual Report |publisher=annualreports.com |accessdate=March 10, 2022}}</ref> |92,105 |3,750 |71,571 |248.34 |63,900 |- |2019<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.annualreports.com/HostedData/AnnualReportArchive/a/NYSE_ANTM_2019.pdf |title=Form 10-K Anthem, Inc. |publisher=annualreports.com |accessdate=March 10, 2022}}</ref> |104,213 |4,807 |77,473 |268.65 |70,600 |- |2020<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.antheminc.com/annual-report/2020/financials.html |title=Financial Highlights |publisher=antheminc.com |accessdate=March 10, 2022}}</ref> |121,867 |4,572 |86,615 | | |- |2021<ref name=FY2021>{{cite web|url=https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1156039/000115603922000009/antm-20211231.htm|title=Anthem, Inc. 2021 Annual Report (Form 10-K) |publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission |date=February 16, 2022}}</ref> |138,639 |6,104 |97,460 | |98,200 |- |2022<ref name=FY2022>{{cite web|url=https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1156039/000115603923000007/elv-20221231.htm|title=Elevance Health, Inc. 2022 Annual Report (Form 10-K) |publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission |date=February 15, 2023}}</ref> |156,595 |6,025 |102,772 | |102,300 |}
== Recognition == The company was featured on the S&P Dow Jones Sustainability Index from 2018 to 2022,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.beckerspayer.com/payer/4-payers-named-corporate-sustainability-leaders-per-s-p-dow-jones.html |title=4 payers named corporate sustainability leaders, per S&P Dow Jones |author=Jakob Emerson |date=December 19, 2022 |website=Becker's Payer Issues|access-date=March 2, 2023}}</ref> was named by ''Fortune'' as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fortune.com/company/elevance-health/best-companies/ |title=100 Best Companies to Work For Elevance Health |work=Forbes |access-date=March 2, 2023}}</ref> and was included on the Corporate Equality Index's list of Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality from 2015 to 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.beckerspayer.com/payer/4-payers-named-corporate-sustainability-leaders-per-s-p-dow-jones.html|title=21 payers named best places to work for LGBTQ+ equality |date=October 26, 2022 |website=Becker's Payer Issues|access-date=March 2, 2023}}</ref>
== See also == * List of United States insurance companies
== References == {{reflist|30em}}
== External links == * {{Official website|https://www.elevancehealth.com}} {{Finance links | name = Elevance Health, Inc. | symbol = ELV | google = ELV:NYSE | yahoo = ELV | reuters = ELV.N | bloomberg = ELV:US | sec_cik = 1156039 }}
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