Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Elevance Health reported second quarter GAAP diluted earnings per share of $7.72 and adjusted diluted earnings per share of $8.84, with a revised full year 2025 adjusted EPS guidance of approximately $30 [16][9] - Operating revenue was $49.4 billion, an increase of 14% year over year, driven by higher premium yields and recent acquisitions [16][17] - The consolidated benefit expense ratio increased to 88.9%, up 260 basis points year over year, primarily due to pressures in the ACA and Medicaid businesses [17][20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Medicare Advantage portfolio showed continued strength, with cost trends remaining in line with expectations [18][46] - CarillonRx experienced over 20% growth in operating revenue, while Carillon services delivered more than 50% growth in revenue [19][20] - The company ended the quarter with 45.6 million medical members, a decrease of approximately 200,000 sequentially, attributed to reduced Medicaid membership and lower effectuation rates in the ACA business [16][17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The ACA market is experiencing increased morbidity due to a higher proportion of higher acuity members transitioning from Medicaid, resulting in elevated medical cost trends [25][54] - Medicaid cost trends decelerated in the second quarter but at a slower pace than expected, with higher acuity and increased member utilization impacting margins [18][20] - The company anticipates a broader market reset in 2026 due to the expiration of enhanced subsidies, which could further affect risk pool changes [13][21] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on delivering whole health solutions that are simple, affordable, and personalized, while managing costs and reinforcing operational foundations for long-term value creation [7][10] - Strategic investments are being prioritized in innovative care models, artificial intelligence, and pharmacy services to support long-term success [19][20] - The company aims to stabilize trends in high-cost areas and improve care delivery through streamlined processes and advanced analytics [10][11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the disappointment of revising guidance for the second consecutive year but emphasized the importance of transparency and strong execution in navigating unprecedented cost trends [15][21] - The company is taking proactive steps to stabilize trends, particularly in high-cost areas, and is focused on disciplined pricing and margin recovery [13][21] - Management remains confident in the strength of the enterprise and the impact of investments on long-term value creation [15][21] Other Important Information - The company is actively engaged with state partners to ensure upcoming Medicaid rate cycles reflect the developing acuity environment [13][21] - The debt to capital ratio was reported at 40.8%, preserving flexibility for strategic investments [20] - The company returned approximately $2 billion to investors year to date, with operating cash flow totaling $2.1 billion in the quarter [20] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you help delineate the pressure you're seeing in the ACA business? - Management identified three principal factors: increased risk pool acuity, higher utilization in several cost categories, and inappropriate coding tactics contributing to inflated costs [24][25] Question: Can you size the relative impact of ACA and Medicaid in the guidance revision? - The reduction in full year guidance is slightly more weighted towards ACA, with ongoing enrollment losses in Medicaid contributing to elevated morbidity [29][35] Question: How do you think about the dynamic of Medicaid margins and rate setting? - Management expects Medicaid margins to show year-over-year improvement in the back half of the year, despite ongoing challenges with rate alignment [43][44] Question: What are you seeing on Medicare Advantage trends? - Medicare Advantage trends remain elevated and consistent with expectations, with a disciplined approach to bids for 2026 focused on margin recovery [46][48] Question: Can you comment on the utilization you're seeing? - Elevated utilization is noted in emergency room visits and behavioral health services, with a significant increase in acuity due to disenrollment of lower acuity members [54][108] Question: How is the current environment affecting capital allocation strategy? - The company plans to maintain a 50-50 split between investment and returning capital, with a focus on opportunistic share repurchases and integration of past acquisitions [74][75] Question: How do you change the pricing process for the ACA? - Management believes that ongoing discussions with CMS and state partners will help stabilize the ACA market, with upcoming rate filings capturing current acuity and expected risk pool deterioration [80][81]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Elevance Health reported second quarter GAAP diluted earnings per share of $7.72 and adjusted diluted earnings per share of $8.84, with a revised full year 2025 adjusted EPS guidance of approximately $30 [14][19] - Operating revenue was $49.4 billion, an increase of 14% year over year, driven by higher premium yields and recent acquisitions [14][15] - The consolidated benefit expense ratio increased to 88.9%, up 260 basis points year over year, primarily due to pressures in the ACA and Medicaid businesses [15][17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Medicare Advantage portfolio showed continued strength, with cost trends in line with expectations [6][17] - CarillonRx experienced over 20% growth in operating revenue, while Carillon services delivered more than 50% growth in revenue [18][19] - Membership decreased to 45.6 million, down approximately 200,000 sequentially, attributed to a reduction in Medicaid membership and lower effectuation rates in the ACA business [14][15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The ACA market is experiencing elevated morbidity due to shifts from Medicaid, with approximately 70% of the total impact attributed to risk pool acuity [26][36] - Medicaid cost trends decelerated in the second quarter but at a slower pace than expected, with higher acuity and increased member utilization [16][17] - The company anticipates a broader market reset in 2026 due to the expiration of enhanced subsidies, which may lead to further risk pool changes [12][20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on executing a clear strategy to strengthen structural performance across the enterprise, with an emphasis on managing costs and deploying targeted investments [5][8] - Efforts are being made to stabilize trends in high-cost areas, including specialty services and post-acute care, while enhancing care delivery through streamlined prior authorization processes [9][10] - The company aims to improve visibility and consistency in operations while preparing for potential policy changes affecting Medicaid and ACA markets [20][62] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the disappointment in revising guidance for the second consecutive year but emphasized the commitment to transparency and strong execution [13][19] - The company is taking proactive steps to address elevated medical cost trends and is not relying on near-term recovery assumptions [7][12] - Management remains confident in the strength of the enterprise and the ability to create long-term value through operational discipline and innovation [13][19] Other Important Information - The company is utilizing AI-enabled tools to streamline clinical workflows and identify fraud, waste, and abuse [10][69] - Approximately one-third of benefit expenses are now in downside risk arrangements, supporting improved care coordination [10][12] - The company has returned approximately $2 billion to investors year-to-date, with a focus on maintaining flexibility for strategic investments [19][72] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you help delineate the pressure you're seeing in the ACA business? - Management identified three principal factors: increased risk pool acuity, higher utilization in several cost categories, and inappropriate coding tactics contributing to inflated costs [22][25] Question: Can you size the relative impact of ACA and Medicaid in the guidance revision? - The reduction in guidance is slightly more weighted towards ACA, with ongoing enrollment losses in Medicaid contributing to elevated morbidity [29][35] Question: How do you think about the dynamic of Medicaid margins? - Management expects Medicaid margins to show year-over-year improvement in the back half of the year, despite ongoing challenges [42][100] Question: Can you talk about Medicare Advantage trends and bid strategy? - Medicare Advantage trends remain elevated and consistent with expectations, with a disciplined approach to bids for 2026 focused on margin recovery [46][48] Question: What are you doing differently in terms of cost structure initiatives? - The company is transforming processes using technology and AI to manage costs and identify trends earlier, with a focus on responsible innovation [66][69] Question: How is the current environment affecting capital allocation strategy? - The company is maintaining a flexible capital allocation strategy, focusing on opportunistic share repurchases while integrating recent acquisitions [72][73]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - GAAP diluted earnings per share was $9.61 and adjusted diluted earnings per share was $11.97, reflecting year-over-year growth of more than 10% [18] - Operating revenue in the quarter was $48.8 billion, an increase of over 15%, driven by higher premium yields in the Health Benefits segment and growth in Medicare Advantage and individual ACA membership [19] - The consolidated benefit expense ratio was 86.4%, an increase of 80 basis points year-over-year, primarily due to higher cost trends in the Medicaid business [20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Health Benefits operating gain was $2.2 billion, slightly declining due to higher Medicaid costs, partially offset by operating efficiencies [20] - Calon's operating gain grew 34% to $1.1 billion, driven by growth in pharmacy volumes and improved performance of deployed risk-based capabilities [21] - The company ended the quarter with 45.8 million medical members, up 99,000 from year-end, primarily driven by targeted expansion and better-than-expected retention rates in Medicare Advantage [18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Individual ACA membership grew approximately 11% sequentially, but a moderation in membership is anticipated during the second quarter due to lower-than-expected effectuation rates [18] - In Medicaid, progress on rate alignment is ongoing, with April adjustments coming in as expected and discussions for the July cohort underway [12] - The company is expanding its value-based oncology care model to Medicare Advantage, following success in the commercial segment [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on advancing its purpose to improve the health of humanity through investments in patient advocacy solutions and digital platforms [7][9] - Elevance Health is expanding its integrated offerings, which combine advocacy, behavioral health, pharmacy, and specialty care, to enhance employer engagement [14] - The acquisition of CareBridge strengthens the company's capabilities in home and community-based services, supporting its whole health approach [10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the long-term outlook for Medicare Advantage, citing strong retention and disciplined growth strategies [13] - The company is monitoring trends closely, particularly in Medicare costs, which remain elevated but manageable [28] - Management reiterated guidance for adjusted diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $34.15 to $34.85, with expectations for more than 60% of earnings to be realized in the first half of the year [24] Other Important Information - The company was recognized as one of Fortune's 100 best companies to work for and included in the Just 100 by Just Capital, reflecting its commitment to values and impact [17] - The debt to capital ratio was approximately 41%, preserving flexibility for strategic investments [21] Q&A Session Summary Question: Medicare Advantage trends and IRA impact - Management indicated that Medicare costs remain elevated but manageable, with no material changes to prior expectations [27][28] Question: Growth in Carillon services and cross-sales - Carillon services experienced over 60% growth, with strong internal and external expansion noted [35][36] Question: Effectuation rates and membership expectations - Effectuation rates are tracking lower than initial expectations, with projected membership attrition in the mid-single-digit percent range in early Q2 [42] Question: Medicaid MLR margin trends - Medicaid trends remain elevated but decelerated as expected, with stabilization anticipated in the latter half of the year [92] Question: Part D utilization and new normal - Management is comfortable with the mix of Medicare Advantage membership and has not observed substantial variation in Part D utilization [112]