{"id":393286,"date":"2020-12-03T18:23:04","date_gmt":"2020-12-03T23:23:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/?p=393286"},"modified":"2020-12-03T18:23:04","modified_gmt":"2020-12-03T23:23:04","slug":"am-best-affirms-credit-ratings-of-anthem-inc-and-its-subsidiaries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/am-best-affirms-credit-ratings-of-anthem-inc-and-its-subsidiaries\/","title":{"rendered":"AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Anthem, Inc. and Its Subsidiaries"},"content":{"rendered":"

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AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Anthem, Inc. and Its Subsidiaries<\/b><\/p>\n

OLDWICK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE<\/a>)–AM Best <\/b>has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of \u201ca+\u201d of the core Blue Cross Blue Shield-branded insurance subsidiaries of Anthem, Inc. (Anthem) (Indianapolis, IN) [NYSE:ANTM]. Concurrently, AM Best has affirmed the Long-Term ICR of \u201cbbb+\u201d, the Long- and Short-Term Issue Credit Ratings (Long-Term IR; Short-Term IR) of Anthem and the Long-Term IR on the existing surplus notes of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. (Indianapolis, IN).\n<\/p>\n

\nFurthermore, AM Best has affirmed the FSR of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICRs of \u201ca-\u201d of the UNICARE Life & Health Group (UNICARE) and AMERIGROUP Health Companies (AMERIGROUP).\n<\/p>\n

\nThe outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. See below for detailed listing of the companies and Long-Term IRs.\n<\/p>\n

\nThe Blue Cross Blue Shield-branded entities, also referred to as Anthem Health Group (Anthem Health), are part of the core subsidiaries of Anthem. The ratings of Anthem Health reflect its balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorizes as very strong, as well as its strong operating performance, favorable business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM).\n<\/p>\n

\nAnthem Health\u2019s risk-adjusted capitalization is viewed as strongest, as measured by Best\u2019s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). The Anthem Health entities comprise the main source of earnings and dividends for the parent organization, Anthem, with dividends from subsidiaries exceeding $3 billion in each of the past two years, and projected to be in line with these levels in 2020. The Anthem Health entities generally have been able to grow capital despite these dividend payments. Anthem Health\u2019s reported underwriting results and net income in aggregate have been favorable with some fluctuations at the product and entity level. The Anthem Health entities have reported underwriting income of approximately $4 billion per year and net income of approximately $3 billion to $4 billion annually, with return on revenue in the 5-6% range and return on equity of approximately 30% in the past few years. The group has good product and geographic diversity, as Anthem operates Blue Cross Blue Shield plans in 14 states with excellent brand recognition and leading market share in the majority of its states. While there is geographic limitation to its business, based on the Blue Cross\/Blue Shield licenses, the companies have a solid presence across its various product offerings, including small-mid-large and national accounts and the fully insured and self-insured segments, as well as through BlueCard.\n<\/p>\n

\nAnthem Health\u2019s ERM is managed by Anthem\u00ad in conjunction with local oversight and involvement. Anthem has a well-established, developed ERM program that has a formalized governance structure and is considered appropriate for its risk profile. Risk identification and reporting are completed on a regular basis throughout the year and incorporated into the organization\u2019s strategic planning process.\n<\/p>\n

\nAnthem has strong and well-diversified revenue and earnings through its Blue Cross Blue Shield-branded entities in 14 states, as well as its non-Blue-branded entities under AMERIGROUP and UNICAREs, and has developed its integrated medical and pharmacy benefit management organization, Ingenio RX, which provides additional nonregulated income. Financial leverage at Anthem declined to approximately 38.5% as of the end of third-quarter 2020 and AM Best expects financial leverage to moderate slightly through a combination of eliminating existing debt and increases in shareholders\u2019 equity. Earnings before interest and taxes interest coverage was adequate at 8.9 times for 2019, improving in each of the past two years. The holding company maintains ample liquidity with access to a $2.5 billion revolving-credit facility, a $1 billion, 364-day senior revolving credit facility, a $3.5 billion commercial paper program and access to the Federal Home Loan Bank through several of its insurance subsidiaries. However, AM Best considers Anthem\u2019s goodwill plus intangibles to equity as high, at over 92%, through September 2020. Furthermore, AM Best acknowledges that a portion of the intangibles is the Blue Cross Blue Shield trademarks, which are required to operate as a Blue Cross Blue Shield-branded entity.\n<\/p>\n

\nThe ratings of Anthem Life Insurance Group (Anthem Life) reflect its balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorizes as strongest, as well as its strong operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate ERM. Anthem Life has ample capital with all members adequately capitalized, and AM Best has assessed its risk-adjusted capital at the strongest BCAR level. While Anthem has taken dividends, none were taken in 2019, and capital expansion overall has not been hindered significantly. Anthem Life has produced favorable operating results, with some fluctuations, but the organization has typically reported double-digit returns on equity in the midteen range. The business written by this group is not a main focus for the overall organization and its product offerings complement those offered by Anthem Health, specifically in the employer group market.\n<\/p>\n

\nThe ratings of AMERIGROUP reflect its balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorizes as weak, as well as its strong operating performance, favorable business profile, appropriate ERM and its strategic importance to Anthem. On a consolidated basis, capitalization for the AMERIGROUP operating entities has increased to nearly $2 billion. Risk-adjusted capital, as measured by BCAR, improved in 2019, but remained weak. Capital measures improved incrementally in 2019, mainly due to retained earnings exceeding large dividends to the parent; however, these companies still have a weak level of risk-adjusted capital in support of their current business and investment risk. AM Best notes that Anthem is in a good capital position for the size of its operations and its financial flexibility, and has supported AMERIGROUP as needed. Additionally, the group produces very favorable operating results and is a material contributor to revenue, earnings and cash flow for its parent. AMERIGROUP has built excellent brand awareness and has solid enrollment in its core markets, and allows Anthem access to Medicaid markets outside of its core Blue Cross Blue Shield states.\n<\/p>\n

\nThe ratings of UNICARE reflect its balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorizes as adequate, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile, appropriate ERM and support from as well as strategic importance to Anthem. On a consolidated basis, capital for the UNICARE operating entities increased significantly in 2019 due to a sizeable contribution from its parent combined with positive operating results. As a result, the companies\u2019 risk-adjusted capital has improved dramatically in support of their current growing business and investment risk. Investments are conservative and provide sufficient liquidity to the group. UNICARE has produced good operating results in aggregate, although premiums and earnings have fluctuated widely. Earnings increased again through year-end 2019, as did business growth, mainly from assumed business. UNICARE is one of Anthem\u2019s brands in the Medicaid market and has a limited scope of business, writing primarily Medicaid and dual Medicare-Medicaid business. Through UNICARE, Anthem has licenses in all 50 states, Washington DC and Puerto Rico; nevertheless, premiums are generated predominantly from 10 states.\n<\/p>\n

\nThe FSR of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICRs of \u201ca+\u201d of the following subsidiaries of Anthem, Inc.have been affirmed with a stable outlook:\n<\/p>\n