Positive Commercial Results Boost Elevance in Second Quarter

Elevance Health, Inc. reported positive second-quarter 2023 results, powered by solid commercial performance and promising returns from its Carelon health services division, which was launched last year.

The firm, which is the parent company of the Anthem and Wellpoint insurance brands, took in $43.4 billion of operating revenue in the quarter, up $4.9 billion or 12.7% year-over-year. Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) in the quarter were $9.04, beating the Wall Street consensus of $8.78 and representing a year-over-year increase of $1.07, or slightly more than 13%. The firm’s medical loss ratio (MLR) was 86.4%, down 70 basis points from the prior-year quarter — but it increased from the 85.8% figure.

An Elevance press release said the strong top-line revenue result was “primarily driven by premium rate increases in our Health Benefits business and higher premium revenue due to membership growth in Medicaid and Medicare. The increase in operating revenue was further attributable to growth in pharmacy product revenue within CarelonRx driven by growth in external pharmacy members served and the acquisition of BioPlus” — a specialty pharmacy firm — “in the first quarter of 2023.”