Nearly Three-Quarters of Consumers in Anthem, Inc.-Affiliated 2022 Medicare Advantage Plans Will Be Enrolled in Plans That Are Highly Rated by CMS

Rhea-AI Summary

Anthem, Inc. (NYSE: ANTM) has announced that over 72% of Medicare Advantage members enrolled in its affiliated health plans for 2022 will be in plans rated four stars or higher. This increase is attributed to Anthem's ongoing investments in healthcare quality and access. The company aims to improve consumer experiences through collaborations with providers and digital service strategies. Notably, two Anthem-affiliated plans in Florida received five-star ratings for 2022, recognizing their consistent excellence amidst healthcare challenges, including those posed by COVID-19.

Positive

• Over 72% of Medicare Advantage consumers in four-star or higher plans for 2022.
• Two Anthem-affiliated plans received five-star ratings from CMS for 2022.
• Continued investments in digital-first strategies to improve healthcare access.

Negative

• None.

Results show impact of Anthem’s investments in its subsidiaries to improve consumer experience and clinical outcomes

INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Anthem, Inc. (NYSE: ANTM) announced today that, heading into 2022, more than 72 percent of Medicare Advantage consumers enrolled in Anthem’s affiliated health plans will be in plans rated four stars or better. This year’s ratings reflect Anthem’s long-term investments in enhancing consumers’ healthcare experience; collaborating with providers focused on delivering affordable, high-quality care; and increasing access to products and services that address consumers’ whole health.

“This increase in the percentage of members enrolled in highly rated plans is a result of our continued commitment to providing Medicare consumers access to high-quality, affordable healthcare services and experiences that meet their unique needs and help them improve their health and wellbeing,” said Felicia Norwood, Executive Vice President and President, Government Business Division, Anthem, Inc. “We will continue to create innovative products and services and forge collaborations in and outside of the industry to further increase the percentage of our consumers in highly rated Medicare Advantage plans in the future.”

Medicare Star Ratings are issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and rate health plans on a scale of 1-5 Stars (5 Stars = Excellent). Star Ratings are derived as a composite of dozens of measures that gauge areas such as health plan members’ rating of service and care, how well provider partners detect illness and keep members healthy, and how well plans help members use recommended and safe prescription medications.

During 2020, the measurement year on which these 2022 CMS ratings are based, COVID-19 presented Medicare consumers with significant challenges in accessing care as well as achieving and maintaining good health. Anthem-affiliated Medicare health plans quickly adjusted to this unique situation and provided consumers access to healthcare in different ways, including virtual care options. The health plans also reached out to members at higher risk for situations like food insecurity and loneliness to support them with additional services during those difficult times.

Anthem will continue to invest in its digital-first strategy, which will help consumers receive healthcare services where, when, and how they want them. Anthem’s affiliated Medicare plans are also committed to taking a whole-health approach in developing their product portfolios, which includes increasing access to services that address social drivers of health that significantly contribute to an individual’s health and improved quality of life.

For 2022, two Anthem-affiliated health plans will be rated five stars by CMS’ Medicare Star Ratings program. HealthSun Health Plans in Florida will achieve a five-star rating, for the fifth year in a row (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022). Optimum Healthcare, also in Florida, will be rated five stars for 2022, an improvement from last year.

The annual Medicare Star Ratings are posted online at www.medicare.gov.

Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system. Anthem, Inc.'s affiliated health plans are Medicare Advantage Organizations and Prescription Drug Plans with Medicare contracts. Enrollment in Anthem-affiliated health plans depends on contract renewal.

About Anthem, Inc.

Anthem is a leading health benefits company dedicated to improving lives and communities, and making healthcare simpler. Through its affiliated companies, Anthem serves more than 117 million people, including more than 44 million within its family of health plans. We aim to be the most innovative, valuable and inclusive partner. For more information, please visit www.antheminc.com or follow @AnthemInc on Twitter.

Forward-Looking Statements

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 otherwise required by federal securities laws, we do not undertake any obligation to republish revised forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the impact of large scale medical emergencies, such as public health epidemics and pandemics, including COVID-19, and catastrophes; trends in healthcare costs and utilization rates; our ability to secure sufficient premium rates, including regulatory approval for and implementation of such rates; the impact of federal and state regulation, including ongoing changes in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, as amended; changes in economic and market conditions, as well as regulations that may negatively affect our liquidity and investment portfolios; our ability to contract with providers on cost-effective and competitive terms; competitive pressures and our ability to adapt to changes in the industry and develop and implement strategic growth opportunities; reduced enrollment; unauthorized disclosure of member or employee sensitive or confidential information, including the impact and outcome of any investigations, inquiries, claims and litigation related thereto; 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; risks and uncertainties related to our pharmacy benefit management (“PBM”), business including non-compliance by any party with the PBM services agreement between us and CaremarkPCS Health, L.L.C.; medical malpractice or professional liability claims or other risks related to healthcare and PBM services provided by our subsidiaries; general risks associated with mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic alliances; changes in U.S. tax laws; 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; 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; failure to effectively maintain and modernize our information systems; events that may negatively affect our licenses with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association; the impact of international laws and regulations; intense competition to attract and retain employees; and various laws and provisions in our governing documents that may prevent or discourage takeovers and business combinations.

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Media Relations:

Hieu Nguyen

hieu.nguyen2@anthem.com

Source: Anthem, Inc.

FAQ

What percentage of Anthem's Medicare Advantage consumers will be in highly rated plans in 2022?

Over 72% of Anthem's Medicare Advantage consumers will be in plans rated four stars or higher in 2022.

How many Anthem-affiliated health plans received five-star ratings in 2022?

Two Anthem-affiliated health plans in Florida received five-star ratings for 2022.

What are the Medicare Star Ratings?

Medicare Star Ratings are issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and rate health plans based on various service and care quality metrics.

What factors contributed to Anthem's Medicare Advantage ratings improvement?

Anthem's investments in enhancing consumer healthcare experiences and collaborations with providers contributed to the improvement in ratings.

How did COVID-19 impact Anthem's Medicare health plans?

Anthem-affiliated Medicare health plans adapted by providing virtual care options and additional support to high-risk members during the pandemic.