Molina Healthcare Reports First Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Molina Healthcare reported first quarter 2024 GAAP earnings per diluted share of $5.17 and adjusted earnings per diluted share of $5.73. Premium revenue was $9.5 billion, an increase of 21% compared to the previous year. The Company reaffirmed its full year 2024 guidance with expected premium revenue of approximately $38 billion and adjusted earnings of at least $23.50 per diluted share. The MCR was 88.5% for the first quarter of 2024, in line with expectations. The Company served approximately 5.7 million members, an increase of 9% from the previous year.

Positive

• Molina Healthcare reported strong financial performance in the first quarter of 2024.
• Premium revenue increased by 21% year over year to $9.5 billion.
• Adjusted earnings per diluted share were $5.73 for the first quarter of 2024.
• The Company reaffirmed its full year 2024 guidance with expected premium revenue of approximately $38 billion.
• The Medical Care Ratio (MCR) for the first quarter of 2024 was 88.5%.
• The Company served approximately 5.7 million members, an increase of 9% compared to the previous year.

Negative

• None.

Insights

Financial Analyst

Examining Molina Healthcare's Q1 2024 financial results, we observe a substantial uptick in premium revenue, growing by 21% year over year to $9.5 billion. This increase is significant, reflecting the company's effective strategy in securing new contracts, completing strategic acquisitions and expanding within existing markets. However, it's tempered by a slight decrease in GAAP net income per diluted share by 6% and adjusted net income per diluted share by 1%, which may raise questions about the company's ability to convert top-line growth to bottom-line results. The Medical Care Ratio (MCR) at 88.5% is within the expected range, indicating controlled medical costs relative to premiums. Investors would do well to consider how these factors may influence the company's operational efficiency and profitability moving forward.

Healthcare Industry Analyst

The membership growth of 9% to 5.7 million members is a testament to Molina's market penetration and competitive positioning. The slight uptick in MCR, particularly in Medicaid to 89.7%, points to cost management consistency, although it may also reflect changing dynamics in member mix and healthcare utilization patterns. Notably, the company's Marketplace MCR at 73.3% suggests a strong pricing strategy and favorable seasonality effects. It's important for stakeholders to recognize the implication of new store additions and acquisitions, like My Choice Wisconsin, on the cost structure and long-term sustainability of Molina's growth.

Risk Management Analyst

The reaffirmed full-year guidance in light of the operating cash flow decrease from $916 million to $214 million signifies confidence in the company's fiscal management. However, this drop signals potential challenges in cash management and the timing of receivables and payables which could impact liquidity. The dramatic reduction in cash and investments at the parent company, down from $742 million to $194 million, is another area requiring scrutiny. While the guidance of at least $23.50 adjusted earnings per share for 2024 projects strong year-over-year growth, retail investors should be mindful of the company's acknowledgment of potential earnings headwinds from the loss of contracts in Virginia and Florida in the latter half of the year.

Reaffirms Full Year 2024 Guidance

LONG BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Molina Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE: MOH) (the “Company”) today reported first quarter 2024 GAAP earnings per diluted share of $5.17 and adjusted earnings per diluted share of $5.73. Financial results are summarized below:

		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2024		2023
(In millions, except per-share results)
Premium Revenue		$9,504		$7,885
Total Revenue		$9,931		$8,149
GAAP:
Net Income		$301		$321
EPS – Diluted		$5.17		$5.52
Medical Care Ratio (MCR)		88.5%		87.1%
G&A Ratio		7.2%		7.2%
After-tax Margin		3.0%		3.9%
Adjusted:
Net Income		$334		$337
EPS – Diluted		$5.73		$5.81
G&A Ratio		7.1%		7.2%
After-tax Margin		3.4%		4.1%
See the Reconciliation of Unaudited Non-GAAP Financial Measures at the end of this release.

Quarter Highlights

• As of March 31, 2024, the Company served approximately 5.7 million members, an increase of 9% compared to March 31, 2023.
• Premium revenue was approximately $9.5 billion for the first quarter of 2024, an increase of 21% year over year.
• GAAP net income was $5.17 per diluted share for the first quarter of 2024, a decrease of 6% year over year.
• Adjusted net income was $5.73 per diluted share for the first quarter of 2024, a decrease of 1% year over year.
• The Company reaffirmed its full year 2024 guidance with expected premium revenue of approximately $38 billion and adjusted earnings of at least $23.50 per diluted share.

“We are very pleased with our first quarter performance,” said Joseph Zubretsky, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We delivered strong financial performance supported by excellent operating metrics across our business, while sustaining profitable growth consistent with our long-term targets.”

Premium Revenue

Premium revenue was approximately $9.5 billion for the first quarter of 2024, an increase of 21% year over year. The higher premium revenue reflects new contract wins, acquisitions, and growth in the current footprint, partially offset by Medicaid redeterminations.

Net Income

GAAP net income for the first quarter of 2024 was $5.17 per diluted share, a decrease of 6% year over year. Adjusted net income for the first quarter of 2024 was $5.73 per diluted share, a decrease of 1% year over year. The year over year decrease in earnings per share reflects a shift in the quarterly earnings pattern based on the significant increase in new business in 2024.

Medical Care Ratio (MCR)

• The consolidated MCR for the first quarter of 2024 was 88.5%, reflecting changes in member mix due to growth across all segments and continued, strong medical cost management, and is in line with the Company’s expectation.
• The Medicaid MCR for the first quarter of 2024 was 89.7%, in line with the Company’s expectation and normal quarter to quarter trend fluctuations within our guidance. The new store additions in California and Nebraska, as well as Iowa and the My Choice Wisconsin acquisition in late-2023, drove a higher reported MCR in the first quarter of 2024.
• The Medicare MCR for the first quarter of 2024 was 88.7%, in line with the Company’s expectations. Utilization in the legacy portfolio was consistent with the second half of 2023, but was offset by operational improvements and benefit adjustments.
• The Marketplace MCR for the first quarter of 2024 was 73.3%, reflecting the Company’s pricing strategy and seasonality.

General and Administrative Expense Ratio

The G&A ratio and the adjusted G&A ratio for the first quarter of 2024 was 7.2% and 7.1%, respectively.

Balance Sheet

Cash and investments at the parent company were $194 million as of March 31, 2024 compared to $742 million as of December 31, 2023.

Days in claims payable at March 31, 2024 was 49.

Cash Flow

Operating cash flow for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was $214 million, compared to $916 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The decrease in 2024 cash flow was driven by the net impact of timing differences in government receivables and payables.

2024 Guidance

Premium revenue for the full year is expected to be approximately $38 billion, an increase of approximately 17% from the full year 2023.

The Company expects its full year adjusted earnings per diluted share in 2024 to be at least $23.50, representing approximately 13% growth over the full year 2023. While the Company is experiencing underlying strength in its core business, its full year guidance is unchanged to account for any potential earnings headwind in the second half of the year from potential contract losses in Virginia and Florida.

Conference Call

Management will host a conference call and webcast to discuss Molina Healthcare’s first quarter results at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, April 25, 2024. The number to call for the interactive teleconference is (877) 883-0383 and the confirmation number is 0974846. A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available through Thursday, May 9, 2024, by dialing (877) 344-7529 and entering confirmation number 7039934. A live audio broadcast of this conference call will be available on Molina Healthcare’s website, molinahealthcare.com. A 30-day online replay will be available approximately an hour following the conclusion of the live broadcast.

About Molina Healthcare

Molina Healthcare, Inc., a FORTUNE 500 company, provides managed healthcare services under the Medicaid and Medicare programs and through the state insurance marketplaces. For more information about Molina Healthcare, please visit molinahealthcare.com.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This earnings release and the Company’s accompanying oral remarks contain forward-looking statements. The Company intends such forward-looking statements to be covered under the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions, and all statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this earnings release and the Company’s accompanying oral remarks may be forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by words such as “guidance,” “future,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “embedded,” “estimates,” “expects,” “growth,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “projects,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “can,” “may,” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements contained in this earnings release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding its 2024 guidance and long-term targets, expected headwinds, and management’s plans and objectives for future operations and business strategy.

Actual results could differ materially due to numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties are discussed under the headings “Forward-Looking Statements,” and “Risk Factors,” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the year ended December 31, 2023, which is on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and in the Company’s other filings with the SEC, including its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2024, to be filed with the SEC.

These reports can be accessed under the investor relations tab of the Company’s website or on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Given these risks and uncertainties, the Company can give no assurances that its forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, or that any other results or developments projected or contemplated by its forward-looking statements will in fact occur, and the Company cautions investors not to place undue reliance on these statements. All forward-looking statements in this release represent the Company’s judgment as of April 24, 2024, and, except as otherwise required by law, the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in its expectations.

MOLINA HEALTHCARE, INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2024			2023
		(In millions, except per-share amounts)
Revenue:
Premium revenue		$	9,504		$	7,885
Premium tax revenue			297			172
Investment income			108			71
Other revenue			22			21
Total revenue			9,931			8,149
Operating expenses:
Medical care costs			8,414			6,871
General and administrative expenses			711			591
Premium tax expenses			297			172
Depreciation and amortization			45			44
Other			38			16
Total operating expenses			9,505			7,694
Operating income			426			455
Interest expense			27			28
Income before income tax expense			399			427
Income tax expense			98			106
Net income		$	301		$	321
Net income per share – Diluted		$	5.17		$	5.52
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding			58.3			58.0

MOLINA HEALTHCARE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
		March 31,				December 31,
		2024				2023
		Unaudited
		(Dollars in millions, except per-share amounts)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	4,513			$	4,848
Investments			4,424				4,259
Receivables			3,350				3,104
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			381				331
Total current assets			12,668				12,542
Property, equipment, and capitalized software, net			295				270
Goodwill and intangible assets, net			1,927				1,449
Restricted investments			261				261
Deferred income taxes, net			228				227
Other assets			134				143
Total assets		$	15,513			$	14,892
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Medical claims and benefits payable		$	4,571			$	4,204
Amounts due government agencies			2,501				2,294
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other			1,114				1,252
Deferred revenue			328				418
Total current liabilities			8,514				8,168
Long-term debt			2,180				2,180
Finance lease liabilities			202				205
Other long-term liabilities			124				124
Total liabilities			11,020				10,677
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 150 million shares authorized; outstanding: 59 million shares at March 31, 2024, and 58 million at December 31, 2023			—				—
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 20 million shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding			—				—
Additional paid-in capital			390				410
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(85	)			(82	)
Retained earnings			4,188				3,887
Total stockholders’ equity			4,493				4,215
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	15,513			$	14,892

MOLINA HEALTHCARE, INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2024				2023
		(In millions)
Operating activities:
Net income		$	301			$	321
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			45				44
Deferred income taxes			26				1
Share-based compensation			36				25
Other, net			2				5
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables			(123	)			(234	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			8				7
Medical claims and benefits payable			(24	)			296
Amounts due government agencies			183				270
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other			(215	)			(215	)
Deferred revenue			(90	)			295
Income taxes			65				101
Net cash provided by operating activities			214				916
Investing activities:
Purchases of investments			(380	)			(646	)
Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments			211				371
Net cash paid in business combinations			(295	)			—
Purchases of property, equipment, and capitalized software			(27	)			(32	)
Other, net			3				5
Net cash used in investing activities			(488	)			(302	)
Financing activities:
Common stock withheld to settle employee tax obligations			(56	)			(58	)
Other, net			(6	)			(7	)
Net cash used in financing activities			(62	)			(65	)
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash equivalents			(336	)			549
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			4,908				4,048
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$	4,572			$	4,597

MOLINA HEALTHCARE, INC.
UNAUDITED SEGMENT DATA
(Dollars in millions)
		March 31,		December 31,		March 31,
		2024		2023		2023
Ending Membership by Segment:
Medicaid		5,123,000		4,542,000		4,834,000
Medicare		258,000		172,000		161,000
Marketplace		346,000		281,000		271,000
Total		5,727,000		4,995,000		5,266,000

		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2024									2023
		Premium Revenue			Medical Margin			MCR (1)			Premium Revenue			Medical Margin			MCR (1)
Medicaid		$	7,492		$	775		89.7	%		$	6,349		$	734		88.4	%
Medicare			1,442			163		88.7				1,046			126		88.0
Marketplace			570			152		73.3				490			154		68.6
Consolidated		$	9,504		$	1,090		88.5	%		$	7,885		$	1,014		87.1	%
(1) The MCR represents medical costs as a percentage of premium revenue.

MOLINA HEALTHCARE, INC.

CHANGE IN MEDICAL CLAIMS AND BENEFITS PAYABLE

(Dollars in millions)

The Company’s claims liabilities include additional reserves to account for moderately adverse conditions based on historical experience and other factors including, but not limited to, variations in claims payment patterns, changes in utilization and cost trends, known outbreaks of disease, and large claims. The Company’s reserving methodology is consistently applied across all periods presented. The amounts displayed for “Components of medical care costs related to: Prior year” represent the amounts by which the original estimates of claims and benefits payable at the beginning of the year were more than the actual liabilities based on information (principally the payment of claims) developed since those liabilities were first reported. The following table presents the components of the change in medical claims and benefits payable for the periods indicated:

		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2024				2023
		Unaudited
Medical claims and benefits payable, beginning balance		$	4,204			$	3,528
Components of medical care costs related to:
Current year			8,748				7,169
Prior year			(334	)			(298	)
Total medical care costs			8,414				6,871
Payments for medical care costs related to:
Current year			5,409				4,487
Prior year			2,879				2,358
Total paid			8,288				6,845
Acquired balances, net of post-acquisition adjustments			391				—
Change in non-risk and other payables			(150	)			270
Medical claims and benefits payable, ending balance		$	4,571			$	3,824
Days in Claims Payable (1)			49				48
__________________

(1)

The Company calculates Days in Claims Payable using claims incurred but not paid, or IBNP, and other fee-for-service payables included in medical claims and benefits payable, and quarterly fee-for-service related costs included in medical care costs within the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

MOLINA HEALTHCARE, INC.

RECONCILIATION OF UNAUDITED NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

(In millions, except per diluted share amounts)

The Company believes that certain non-GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) financial measures are useful supplemental measures to investors in comparing the Company’s performance to the performance of other public companies in the health care industry. The non-GAAP financial measures are also used internally to enable management to assess the Company’s performance consistently over time. These non-GAAP financial measures, presented below, should be considered as supplements to, and not as substitutes for or superior to, GAAP measures.

Adjustments represent additions and deductions to GAAP net income as indicated in the table below, which include the non-cash impact of amortization of acquired intangible assets, acquisition-related expenses, and the impact of certain expenses and other items that management believes are not indicative of longer-term business trends and operations.

Adjusted G&A Ratio represents the GAAP G&A ratio, recognizing adjustments.

Adjusted net income represents GAAP net income recognizing the adjustments, net of tax. The Company believes that adjusted net income is helpful to investors in assessing the Company’s financial performance.

Adjusted net income per diluted share represents adjusted net income divided by weighted average common shares outstanding on a fully diluted basis.

Adjusted after-tax margin represents adjusted net income, divided by total revenue.

		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2024								2023
		Amount				Per Diluted Share				Amount				Per Diluted Share
GAAP Net income		$	301			$	5.17			$	321			$	5.52
Adjustments:
Amortization of intangible assets		$	20			$	0.35			$	21			$	0.38
Acquisition-related expenses (1)			17				0.29				—				—
Other (2)			6				0.10				—				—
Subtotal, adjustments			43				0.74				21				0.38
Income tax effect			(10	)			(0.18	)			(5	)			(0.09	)
Adjustments, net of tax			33				0.56				16				0.29
Adjusted net income		$	334			$	5.73			$	337			$	5.81
__________________

(1)		Reflects non-recurring costs associated with acquisitions, including various transaction and certain integration costs.
(2)		The three months ended March 31, 2024 includes non-recurring litigation costs and one-time termination benefits.

MOLINA HEALTHCARE, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF UNAUDITED NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (CONTINUED)
2024 GUIDANCE
		Amount				Per Diluted Share (2)
GAAP Net income		$	1,266			$	21.79
Adjustments:
Amortization of intangible assets			92				1.57
Acquisition-related expenses			33				0.58
Other			6				0.10
Subtotal, adjustments			131				2.25
Income tax effect (1)			(31	)			(0.54	)
Adjustments, net of tax			100				1.71
Adjusted net income		$	1,366			$	23.50
__________________

(1)		Income tax effect calculated at the statutory tax rate of approximately 23.9%.
(2)		Computations assume approximately 58.1 million diluted weighted average shares outstanding.

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240424989297/en/

Investor Contact: Jeffrey Geyer, Jeffrey.Geyer@molinahealthcare.com, 305-317-3012

Media Contact: Caroline Zubieta, Caroline.Zubieta@molinahealthcare.com, 562-951-1588

Source: Molina Healthcare, Inc.

FAQ

What were Molina Healthcare's first quarter 2024 GAAP earnings per diluted share?

Molina Healthcare reported first quarter 2024 GAAP earnings per diluted share of $5.17.

What was Molina Healthcare's premium revenue for the first quarter of 2024?

Molina Healthcare's premium revenue for the first quarter of 2024 was approximately $9.5 billion, reflecting a 21% increase year over year.

What is Molina Healthcare's full year 2024 guidance for premium revenue?

Molina Healthcare expects its full year 2024 premium revenue to be approximately $38 billion.

How many members did Molina Healthcare serve as of March 31, 2024?

As of March 31, 2024, Molina Healthcare served approximately 5.7 million members, marking a 9% increase compared to the previous year.

What was Molina Healthcare's Medical Care Ratio (MCR) for the first quarter of 2024?

Molina Healthcare's Medical Care Ratio (MCR) for the first quarter of 2024 was 88.5%.