A cyber-attack or other privacy or data security incident sustained by us or third parties we rely on could result in an unauthorized disclosure of sensitive or confidential information, cause a loss of data, disrupt our operations, give rise to remediation or other expenses, expose us to liability under our contracts, federal, state and international laws, and subject us to litigation and investigations, which could have an adverse effect on our business, reputation, cash flows, financial condition and results of operations.
A cyber-attack or other privacy or data security incident sustained by us or third parties we rely on could result in an unauthorized disclosure of sensitive or confidential information, cause a loss of data, disrupt our operations, give rise to remediation or other expenses, expose us to liability under our contracts and federal, state and international laws, and subject us to litigation and investigations, which could have an adverse effect on our business, reputation, cash flows, financial condition and results of operations.
As part of our normal operations, we collect, store, process, retain and analyze certain sensitive and confidential information, including personal information subject to privacy, security and data breach notification requirements. Some of the data we process, store and transmit is outside of the U.S. due to the structure of our information technology systems and our internal business operations.
As part of our normal operations, we collect, process, retain and analyze certain sensitive and confidential information, including personal information subject to privacy, security and data breach notification requirements. Some of the data we process, store and transmit is outside of the U.S. due to the structure of our information technology systems and our internal business operations.
The following are some risks that we could experience as a result of future public health crises, all of which could increase our costs, impair our ability to provide services, and have a material adverse effect on our business, cash flows, financial condition and results of operations: • Increased healthcare costs due to higher utilization rates of medical facilities and services and behavioral health services, increased labor costs resulting from labor shortages and increases in medical expenses and associated hospital and pharmaceutical costs, including testing, treatment and the administration of vaccines and other therapeutics and costs due to care deferred during the public health crisis, which may lead to additional care resulting from missed treatments. • Increased estimation uncertainty for our claims liability, as well as decreased predictability of Medicare and Medicaid rates due to changes in utilization of medical facilities and services, medical expenses and other costs. • A reduction in enrollment in our health benefits, pharmacy services, or other healthcare services and products or a change in membership mix to less profitable lines of business by existing customers due to reductions in workforce and other impacts of an economic downturn. • Cash flow volatility or shortfalls caused by delayed, delinquent or non-collectable payments.
The following are some risks that we could experience as a result of future public health crises, all of which could increase our costs, impair our ability to provide services, and have an adverse effect on our business, cash flows, financial condition and results of operations: • Increased healthcare costs due to higher utilization rates of medical facilities and services and behavioral health services, increased labor costs resulting from labor shortages and increases in medical expenses and associated hospital and pharmaceutical costs, including testing, treatment and the administration of vaccines and other therapeutics and costs due to care deferred during the public health crisis, which may lead to additional care resulting from missed treatments. • Increased estimation uncertainty for our claims liability, as well as decreased predictability of Medicare and Medicaid rates due to changes in utilization of medical facilities and services, medical expenses and other costs. • A reduction in enrollment in our health benefits, pharmacy services, or other healthcare services and products or a change in membership mix to less profitable lines of business by existing customers due to reductions in workforce and other impacts of an economic downturn. • Cash flow volatility or shortfalls caused by delayed, delinquent or non-collectable payments.
These could include claims relating to the denial or limitation of health benefits; federal and state false claims act laws; dispensing of drugs associated with our pharmacy services business; professional liability claims arising out of the delivery of healthcare and related services to the public; development or application of medical policies and coverage and clinical guidelines; medical malpractice actions; allegations of anti-competitive and unfair business activities; provider disputes over reimbursement and contracts; provider tiering programs; narrow networks; termination of provider contracts; the recovery of overpayments from providers; fee-based business; disputes over co-payment calculations; reimbursement of out-of-network claims; the failure to disclose certain business practices; the failure to comply with various state or federal laws, including but not limited to: ERISA and the Mental Health Parity Act; the calculation of minimum -31- MLR and rebates related thereto; claims related to privacy, intellectual property and vendor disputes; claims related to our use of personal information and other proprietary data; and, customer audits and contract performance, including government contracts.
These could include claims relating to the denial or limitation of health benefits; federal and state false claims act laws; dispensing of drugs associated with our pharmacy services business; professional liability claims arising out of the delivery of healthcare and related services to the public; development or application of medical policies and coverage and clinical guidelines; medical malpractice actions; allegations of anti-competitive and unfair business activities; provider disputes over reimbursement and contracts; provider tiering programs; narrow networks; termination of provider contracts; the recovery of overpayments from providers; fee-based business; disputes over co-payment calculations; reimbursement of out-of-network claims; the failure to disclose certain business practices; the failure to comply with various state or federal laws, including but not limited to ERISA and the Mental Health Parity Act; the calculation of minimum MLR and rebates related thereto; claims related to privacy, intellectual property and vendor disputes; claims related to our use of personal information and other proprietary data; and customer audits and contract performance, including government contracts.
If the information systems we rely upon to run our business were found to be inaccurate or unreliable or if we fail to adequately maintain, upgrade, enhance, expand and protect our information systems, security controls and data integrity effectively, we could experience problems in determining medical cost estimates and establishing appropriate pricing and reserves, have disputes with customers and providers, lengthen the pace of integration activities or otherwise delay the launch of acquired products, face regulatory problems, including sanctions and penalties, incur increases in operating expenses or suffer other adverse consequences, including a decrease in membership.
If the information systems we rely upon to run our business were found to be inaccurate or unreliable or if we fail to adequately maintain, upgrade, enhance, expand and protect our information systems, security controls and data integrity -29- effectively, we could experience problems in determining medical cost estimates and establishing appropriate pricing and reserves, have disputes with customers and providers, lengthen the pace of integration activities or otherwise delay the launch of acquired products, face regulatory problems, including sanctions and penalties, incur increases in operating expenses or suffer other adverse consequences, including a decrease in membership.
These governmental audits, or changes in how these audits are conducted, including changes that may result from the final RADV Audit rule that was issued in 2023, and our internal reviews, have, and could in the future, result in reports or disclosures for prior, current or future filing years to federal or state regulatory agencies, submission of data corrections, and/or significant adjustments in payments made to our health plans and future Medicare Advantage bids, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
These governmental audits, or changes in how these audits are conducted, including changes that may result from the final RADV Audit rule that was issued in 2023, and our internal reviews, have resulted, and could in the future result, in reports or disclosures for prior, current or future filing years to federal or state regulatory agencies, submission of data corrections, and/or significant adjustments in payments made to our health plans and future Medicare Advantage bids, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Noncompliance with any privacy, security or data protection laws and regulations, or any security breach, cyber-attack or cybersecurity breach, and any incident involving the misappropriation, exfiltration, theft, loss or other unauthorized disclosure or use of, or access to, sensitive or confidential information, whether by us or by one of our third-party service providers or their vendors, previously have and could in the future require us to expend significant resources to continue to modify or enhance our protective measures and to remediate any damage.
Noncompliance with any privacy, security or data protection laws and regulations, or any security breach, cyber-attack or cybersecurity breach, and any incident involving the misappropriation, compromise, exfiltration, theft, loss or other unauthorized disclosure or use of, or access to, sensitive or confidential information, whether by us or by one of our third-party service providers or their vendors, previously have and could in the future require us to expend significant resources to continue to modify or enhance our protective measures and to remediate any damage.
Revenues from the Medicare and Medicaid programs are determined, in whole or in part, by the federal government and/or applicable state governments, and base premium rates paid by each state or federal agency differ depending upon a combination of factors such as defined upper payment limits, a member’s health status, age, gender, county or region, benefit mix, member eligibility category and risk scores.
Revenues from the Medicare and Medicaid programs are determined, in whole or in part, by the federal government and/or applicable state governments, and base premium rates paid by each state or federal agency differ depending upon a combination of factors such as defined upper payment limits, a member’s health status, age, gender, county or region, benefit mix, member -26- eligibility category and risk scores.
In addition, because the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, disable, disrupt or degrade service or sabotage systems change frequently, are becoming increasingly sophisticated (in part due to the use of evolving technologies), and may not immediately produce signs of intrusion, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques and threats, timely discover or counter them or implement adequate preventative measures.
In addition, because the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, disable, disrupt or degrade service or sabotage systems change frequently, are becoming increasingly sophisticated (in part due to the use of evolving technologies), and may not immediately produce signs of intrusion, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques and threats, timely discover or counter them or implement adequate -25- preventative measures.
In addition, legislative reforms such as the regulation issued by HHS related to rebates and the 2021 Appropriations Act, which requires reporting of plan spending, the cost of plan pharmacy benefits, enrollee premiums and any manufacturer rebates received by the plan or issuer, may adversely affect our competitive position, cash flows, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, legislative reforms such as the regulation issued by HHS related to rebates and the -35- 2021 Appropriations Act, which requires reporting of plan spending, the cost of plan pharmacy benefits, enrollee premiums and any manufacturer rebates received by the plan or issuer, may adversely affect our competitive position, cash flows, financial condition and results of operations.
The following are some of the risks associated with mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and strategic alliances and investments, referred to collectively as business combinations, that could have a material adverse effect on our business, cash flows, financial condition and results of operations: • some business combinations may not achieve anticipated revenues, earnings or cash flow, business opportunities, synergies, growth prospects or other anticipated benefits; • we may assume liabilities that were not disclosed to us, or which were underestimated, and which could lead to legal challenges, investigations and enforcement actions, and we may not be able to adequately recover from sellers or insurance carriers for such assumed liabilities; • we may experience difficulties in integrating business combinations, including into our internal control environment and culture, be unable to integrate business combinations successfully or as quickly as expected and be unable to realize anticipated economic, operational and other benefits in a timely manner or at all; • business combinations and proposed business combinations that are not completed could disrupt our ongoing business, lead to the incurrence of significant fees, distract management, result in the loss of key associates, divert resources, result in tax costs or inefficiencies and make it difficult to maintain our current business standards, controls, information technology systems, policies and procedures; • IT system vulnerabilities may be more acute for IT systems associated with recently acquired businesses, and we may be unable to address such vulnerabilities, inadequacies, or failures immediately after acquiring a business, which could undermine integration activities, delay launch of acquired products, and increase infrastructure risk; -35- • we may finance future business combinations by issuing common stock for some or all of the purchase price, which could dilute the ownership interests of our shareholders; • we may compete with other firms, some of which may have greater financial and other resources, to acquire attractive companies; • we may experience disputes with or competition from our partners or former partners in our strategic alliances, investments and joint ventures, which could result in litigation or a loss of business; • we may not be able to obtain required regulatory approval for an acquisition, in a timely manner, or at all, and government actions such as actions by the Federal Trade Commission, Department of Justice, or state governmental agencies, may affect our ability to complete our business combinations, which could result in additional expenditures required to develop products and services internally, place us at a competitive disadvantage, or impact market perceptions of our business and brand; • the integration of entities we acquire into our business may affect the way in which existing and future laws and rules apply to us, including expansion of applicability; and • future business combinations may make it difficult to comply with the requirements of the BCBSA and lead to a risk that our BCBSA license agreements may be terminated.
The following are some of the risks associated with mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and strategic alliances and investments, referred to collectively as business combinations, that could have an adverse effect on our business, cash flows, financial condition and results of operations: • some business combinations may not achieve anticipated revenues, earnings or cash flow, business opportunities, synergies, growth projections or other anticipated benefits; • we may assume liabilities that were not disclosed to us, or which were underestimated, and which could lead to legal challenges, investigations and enforcement actions, and we may not be able to adequately recover from sellers or insurance carriers for such assumed liabilities; • we may experience difficulties in integrating business combinations, including into our internal control environment and culture, be unable to integrate business combinations successfully or as quickly as expected and be unable to realize anticipated economic, operational and other benefits in a timely manner or at all; • business combinations and proposed business combinations that are not completed could disrupt our ongoing business, lead to the incurrence of significant fees, distract management, result in the loss of key associates, divert resources, result in tax costs or inefficiencies and make it difficult to maintain our current business standards, controls, information technology systems, policies and procedures; • IT system vulnerabilities may be more acute for IT systems associated with recently acquired businesses, and we may be unable to address such vulnerabilities, inadequacies, or failures immediately after acquiring a business, which could undermine integration activities, delay launch of acquired products, and increase infrastructure risk; • we may finance future business combinations by issuing common stock for some or all of the purchase price, which could dilute the ownership interests of our shareholders; • we may compete with other firms, some of which may have greater financial and other resources, to acquire attractive companies; • we may experience disputes with or competition from our partners or former partners in our strategic alliances, investments and joint ventures, which could result in litigation or a loss of business; • we may not be able to obtain required regulatory approval for an acquisition, in a timely manner, or at all, and government actions such as actions by the Federal Trade Commission, Department of Justice, or state governmental agencies may affect our ability to complete our business combinations, which could result in additional expenditures required to develop products and services internally, place us at a competitive disadvantage, or impact market perceptions of our business and brand; • the integration of entities we acquire into our business may affect the way in which existing and future laws and rules apply to us, including expansion of applicability; and -36- • future business combinations may make it difficult to comply with the requirements of the BCBSA and lead to a risk that our BCBSA license agreements may be terminated.
For additional information on the CVS Agreement, see “Business - Product and Service Descriptions,” in Part I, Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. -28- The failure to properly maintain the integrity or availability of our data, or to successfully maintain, protect and upgrade our information systems could adversely affect our business.
For additional information on the CVS Agreement, see “Business - Product and Service Descriptions,” in Part I, Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The failure to properly maintain the integrity or availability of our data, or to successfully maintain, protect and upgrade our information systems could adversely affect our business.
Further, various government agencies have conducted and continue to conduct investigations and studies into certain pharmacy services practices, which have resulted and may in the future result in pharmacy benefit managers agreeing to civil penalties, including the payment of money and entry into corporate integrity agreements, or could materially and adversely impact the pharmacy services business model.
Further, various government agencies have conducted and continue to conduct investigations and studies into certain pharmacy services practices, which have resulted and may in the future result in pharmacy benefit managers agreeing to civil penalties, including the payment of money and entry into corporate integrity agreements, or could adversely impact the pharmacy services business model.
We are subject to risks associated with our use of AI, which could adversely affect our business, reputation or financial results. As part of our operations, we are making investments in certain AI administrative tools and solutions to enhance our operations and positively impact the experience of our members, and we continue to explore further innovation using AI.
We are subject to risks associated with our use of AI, which could adversely affect our business, reputation or financial results. As part of our operations, we are making investments in certain AI tools and solutions to enhance our operations and positively impact the experience of our members, and we continue to explore further innovation using AI.
Furthermore, -34- decisions to buy our products and services are increasingly made or influenced by consumers, through means such as direct purchasing (for example, Medicare Advantage plans) and insurance exchanges that allow individual choice, or by large employers that may increasingly be able to contract directly with providers.
Furthermore, decisions to buy our products and services are increasingly made or influenced by consumers, through means such as direct purchasing (for example, Medicare Advantage plans) and insurance exchanges that allow individual choice, or by large employers that may increasingly be able to contract directly with providers.
If a Medicare Advantage, MMP or Medicare Part D contract pays minimum -27- MLR rebates for three consecutive years, it will become ineligible to enroll new members. If a Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D contract pays such rebates for five consecutive years, it will be terminated by CMS. A change in our healthcare product mix may impact our profitability.
If a Medicare Advantage, MMP or Medicare Part D contract pays minimum MLR rebates for three consecutive years, it will become ineligible to enroll new members. If a Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D contract pays such rebates for five consecutive years, it will be terminated by CMS. A change in our healthcare product mix may impact our profitability.
Failure or disruption of our performance of, or our ability to perform, key business functions, including as a result of the unavailability or cyber-attack of our information technology systems or those of third parties (including cloud service providers), could decrease response times, lower levels of service satisfaction and harm our reputation and brand.
Failure or disruption of our performance of, or our ability to perform, key business functions, including as a result of the unavailability of, or cyber-attack on, our information technology systems or those of third parties (including cloud service providers), could decrease response times, lower levels of service satisfaction and harm our reputation and brand.
The direct provision of healthcare services by certain of our subsidiaries involves risks of additional litigation brought against us or our associates for alleged malpractice or professional liability claims arising out of the delivery of healthcare and related services. In addition, liability may arise from maintaining healthcare premises that serve the public.
The direct provision of healthcare services by certain of our subsidiaries involves risks of additional litigation brought against us or our associates for alleged malpractice or professional liability claims arising out of the delivery of healthcare and related -32- services. In addition, liability may arise from maintaining healthcare premises that serve the public.
Restrictions on our ability to obtain funds from our regulated subsidiaries could limit our ability to repurchase shares, pay dividends and meet our obligations and materially adversely affect our business, cash flows, financial condition and results of operations. As a holding company, we are dependent on dividends and administrative expense reimbursements from our subsidiaries.
Restrictions on our ability to obtain funds from our regulated subsidiaries could limit our ability to repurchase shares, pay dividends and meet our obligations and adversely affect our business, cash flows, financial condition and results of operations. As a holding company, we are dependent on dividends and administrative expense reimbursements from our subsidiaries.
In addition, price transparency initiatives, such as the Health Plan Transparency Rule, may impact our ability to obtain or maintain favorable contract terms. For example, hospitals are required to publish online payer-specific negotiated charges for each item or service the hospital provides.
In addition, price transparency initiatives, such as the Health Plan Transparency in Coverage Rule, may impact our ability to obtain or maintain favorable contract terms. For example, hospitals are required to publish online payer-specific negotiated charges for each item or service the hospital provides.
Certain of our contracts currently have pending RADV audits by CMS and the HHS Office of Inspector General that are awaiting CMS finalization. In addition, we routinely perform ordinary course reviews of, among other things, our Medicare Advantage data submitted to CMS.
Certain of our contracts currently have pending RADV audits -27- by CMS and the HHS Office of Inspector General that are awaiting CMS finalization. In addition, we routinely perform ordinary course reviews of, among other things, our Medicare Advantage data submitted to CMS.
Claims-paying ability, financial strength and debt ratings by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations are important factors in establishing the competitive position of insurance and health benefits companies. We believe our strong credit ratings are an important factor in marketing our products to customers.
Claims-paying ability, financial strength and debt ratings by nationally recognized credit rating organizations are important factors in establishing the competitive position of insurance and health benefits companies. We believe our strong credit ratings are an important factor in marketing our products to customers.
We are dependent on the success of our relationships with third parties for various services and functions. We contract with various third parties to perform certain functions and services and provide us with certain information technology systems. Certain of these third parties provide us with significant portions of our business infrastructure and operating requirements.
We are dependent on the success of our relationships with third parties for various services and functions. -28- We contract with various third parties to perform certain functions and services and provide us with certain information technology systems. Certain of these third parties provide us with significant portions of our business infrastructure and operating requirements.
The insurance holding company system acts and certain health statutes of the states in which our insurance company or HMO subsidiaries are regulated restrict the ability of any person to obtain control of an insurance company or HMO without prior regulatory approval.
The insurance holding company system acts and certain health statutes of the states in which our insurance company or HMO subsidiaries are regulated restrict the ability of any person to obtain control of an insurance company or HMO without prior -34- regulatory approval.
If we default under our credit agreement, the lenders could cease to make further extensions of credit or cause all of our outstanding debt obligations under our credit agreement to become immediately due and payable, together with accrued and unpaid interest.
If we default under our credit agreement, the lenders could cease to make further extensions of credit or cause all of our outstanding debt obligations under our credit agreement to become immediately due and payable, together -37- with accrued and unpaid interest.
An inability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends in the future in an amount sufficient for us to meet our financial obligations may materially adversely affect our business, cash flows, financial condition and results of operations.
An inability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends in the future in an amount sufficient for us to meet our financial obligations may adversely affect our business, cash flows, financial condition and results of operations.
Further, in the past, Congress has considered, and may consider in the future, various forms of managed care reform legislation which, if adopted, could fundamentally alter the treatment of coverage decisions under ERISA, including limiting ERISA’s preemptive effect on state laws, and other laws and could increase our costs, expose us to expanded liability, permit greater state regulation on our operations, or require us to revise the ways in which we conduct business.
Further, Congress has considered, and may consider in the future, various forms of managed care reform legislation which, if adopted, could fundamentally alter the treatment of coverage decisions under ERISA, including limiting ERISA’s preemptive effect on state laws, and could increase our costs, expose us to expanded liability, permit greater state regulation of our operations, or require us to revise the ways in which we conduct business.
If we fail to report and correct errors discovered through our own auditing procedures, during a RADV or RAC audit or during state regulatory audits, or otherwise fail to comply with applicable laws and regulations, we could be subject to fines, civil penalties or other sanctions, which could have a material adverse effect on our ability to participate in these programs, and on our financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.
If we fail to report and correct errors discovered through our own auditing procedures, during a RADV or RAC audit or during state regulatory audits, or otherwise fail to comply with applicable laws and regulations, we could be subject to fines, civil penalties or other sanctions, which could have an adverse effect on our ability to participate in these programs, and on our financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.
There is continuing risk that declines in the fair value of our investments may occur and material impairments may be charged to income in future periods, resulting in recognized losses.
There is continuing risk that declines in the fair value of our investments may occur and impairments may be charged to income in future periods, resulting in recognized losses.
Further, our state Medicaid contracts have not always been renewed, we have not always been awarded new contracts as a result of the competitive procurement process, and in some cases, we have lost members under existing contracts as a result of a post-award challenge by unsuccessful bidders, each of which could take place in the future and have a material adverse effect on our business, cash flows, financial condition and results of operations.
Further, our state Medicaid contracts have not always been renewed, we have not always been awarded new contracts as a result of the competitive procurement process, and in some cases, we have lost members under existing contracts as a result of a post-award challenge by unsuccessful bidders, each of which could take place in the future and have an adverse effect on our business, cash flows, financial condition and results of operations.
Numerous factors affecting healthcare costs may adversely affect our ability to predict and manage such costs, and may impact our business, cash flows, financial condition and results of operations.
Numerous factors affecting healthcare costs may adversely affect our ability to predict and manage such costs, and could adversely impact our business, cash flows, financial condition and results of operations.
Litigation and misappropriation of our proprietary information could hinder our ability to market and sell products and services, which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
Litigation and misappropriation of our proprietary information could hinder our ability to market and sell products and services, which could adversely affect our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
Our pharmacy services business would be adversely affected if we are unable to contract on favorable terms with third-party vendors, including pharmaceutical manufacturers. We delegate certain pharmacy benefit manager services, including, but not limited to, claims adjudication, pharmacy network administration, rebate administration, advanced home delivery back-end dispensing, and customer service, to CVS pursuant to the CVS Agreement.
Our pharmacy services business would be adversely affected if we are unable to contract on favorable terms with third-party vendors, including pharmaceutical manufacturers. We delegate certain pharmacy benefit manager services, including, but not limited to, claims adjudication, pharmacy network administration, rebate administration, and advanced home delivery back-end dispensing to CVS pursuant to the CVS Agreement.
We expect state legislatures will continue to focus on healthcare delivery and financing issues, including actions to reduce or limit increases to premium payments, provider billing protections, access to care and other reforms of state health insurance markets. State ballot initiatives could also be put to voters that could materially impact our operating environment.
We expect state legislatures will continue to focus on healthcare delivery and financing issues, including actions to reduce or limit increases to premium payments, provider billing protections, access to care and other reforms of state health insurance markets. State ballot initiatives could also be put to voters that could adversely impact our operating environment.
Following an investigation, we may be subject to civil or criminal fines, penalties, and other sanctions if we are determined to be in violation of applicable laws or regulations. Liabilities that may result from these actions could have a material adverse effect on our cash flows, results of operations and financial condition.
Following an investigation, we may be subject to civil or criminal fines, penalties, and other sanctions if we are determined to be in violation of applicable laws or regulations. Liabilities that may result from these actions could have an adverse effect on our cash flows, results of operations and financial condition.
If we or another BCBS licensee are not in compliance with all legal requirements or are unable to perform administrative services as required, this could have an adverse effect on our members and our ability to maintain our licenses, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, cash flows, financial condition and results of operations.
If we or another BCBS licensee are not in compliance with all legal requirements or are unable to perform administrative services as required, this could have an adverse effect on our members and our ability to maintain our licenses, which could have an adverse effect on our business, cash flows, financial condition and results of operations.
We continue to evolve our business to offer products and services beyond traditional health insurance, including digital health technology, pharmacy services, home health, and behavioral and clinical care services, which subjects us to litigation and regulatory risks that are different from our traditional product and services offerings and may materially affect our exposure to other risks.
We continue to evolve our business to offer products and services beyond traditional health insurance, including digital health technology, pharmacy services, home health, and behavioral and clinical care services, which subjects us to litigation and regulatory risks that are different from our traditional product and services offerings and may adversely affect our exposure to other risks.
In addition, the pharmacy services industry is highly competitive, and our pharmacy services business unit is subject to competition from national, regional and local pharmacy services providers, other insurers, health plans, large retail pharmacy chains, large retail stores, supermarkets, mail order and web pharmacies, discount cards and specialty pharmacies.
In addition, the pharmacy services industry is highly competitive, and our pharmacy services business unit is subject to competition from national, regional and local pharmacy services providers, other insurers, health plans, large retail pharmacy chains, large retail stores, supermarkets, mail order, web, and direct-to-consumer pharmacies, discount cards and specialty pharmacies.
Failure to adequately implement, consolidate, integrate, streamline, maintain and upgrade effective and efficient information systems, including those powered by or incorporating AI, with sufficiently advanced technological capabilities could result in investigations, audits, fines and penalties, competitive and cost disadvantages to us compared to our competitors, contractual damages, and diversion of management’s time, and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Failure to adequately implement, consolidate, integrate, streamline, maintain and upgrade effective and efficient information systems, including those powered by or incorporating AI, with sufficiently advanced technological capabilities could result in investigations, audits, fines and penalties, competitive and cost disadvantages to us compared to our competitors, contractual damages, and diversion of management’s time, and could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Such publicity may lead to more regulation and legislative review of industry practices, which may increase business costs and impact profitability by constraining our ability to market, maintain or expand our product and service offerings and result in increased regulatory oversight of our operations.
Such publicity and sentiment may lead to increased regulation and legislative review of industry practices, which may increase business costs and impact profitability by constraining our ability to market, maintain or expand our product and service offerings and result in increased regulatory oversight of our operations.
These factors include, among others: changes in healthcare practices; healthcare utilization patterns; demographic characteristics including the aging population; previously uninsured members entering the healthcare system; short and long-term risks associated with our members' lifestyle decisions; medical cost inflation; increased labor costs; provider and member fraud; evolution of new technologies, drugs and treatments; increased cost of individual services; increased number and cost of prescription drugs; direct-to-consumer marketing by drug manufacturers; clusters of high cost cases; increased use of services, including resulting from pandemics, large-scale medical emergencies, increasing natural -23- disasters in connection with climate change, geopolitical instability and other public health crises; and new mandated benefits and treatment guidelines and changes to other regulations impacting our business.
These factors include, among others: changes in healthcare practices; healthcare utilization patterns; demographic characteristics including the aging population; previously uninsured members entering the healthcare system; short and long-term risks associated with our members' lifestyle decisions; medical cost inflation; increased labor costs; provider and member fraud; evolution of new technologies, drugs and treatments; increased cost of individual services; increased number and cost of prescription drugs; direct-to-consumer marketing by drug manufacturers; clusters of high cost cases; increased use of services, including resulting from pandemics, large-scale medical emergencies, natural disasters, geopolitical instability and other public health crises; and new mandated benefits and treatment guidelines and changes to other regulations impacting our business.
In addition, this could negatively affect our operations, cause system disruptions, damage our reputation, cause membership losses and contract breaches, expose us or our members to the risk of financial or medical -25- identity theft, and result in regulatory enforcement actions, material fines and penalties, litigation or other actions that could have a material adverse effect on our business, cash flows, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, this could negatively affect our operations, cause system disruptions, damage our reputation, cause membership losses and contract breaches, expose us or our members to the risk of financial or medical identity theft, and result in regulatory enforcement actions, material fines and penalties, litigation or other actions that could have an adverse effect on our business, cash flows, financial condition and results of operations.
Typically, government-sponsored programs also involve our higher-risk healthcare products. A shift of enrollees from more profitable products to less profitable products could have a material adverse effect on our cash flows, financial condition and results of operations.
Typically, government-sponsored programs also involve our higher-risk healthcare products. A shift of enrollees from more profitable products to less profitable products could have an adverse effect on our cash flows, financial condition and results of operations.
Indiana law, other applicable laws, our articles of incorporation and bylaws, and provisions of our BCBSA license agreements may prevent or discourage takeovers and business combinations that our shareholders might consider to be in their best interest.
Indiana law, other applicable laws, our articles of incorporation and bylaws, and provisions of our BCBSA license agreements may prevent or discourage takeovers and business combinations that our shareholders might consider to be in their best interests.
If CVS fails to provide pharmacy benefit manager services as contractually required, we may not be able to meet the full demands of our customers, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation and results of operations. Additionally, we may not maintain favorable terms and conditions, including financial terms, to compete in the market.
If CVS fails to provide pharmacy benefit manager services as contractually required, we may not be able to meet the full demands of our customers, which could have an adverse effect on our business, reputation and results of operations. Additionally, we may not maintain favorable terms and conditions, including financial terms, to compete in the market.
Violations of these laws and regulations could result in fines, criminal sanctions against us, our officers or associates, restrictions or outright prohibitions on the conduct of our business and significant reputational harm and could adversely affect our ability to market our products and services, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Violations of these laws and regulations could result in fines, criminal sanctions against us, our officers or associates, restrictions or outright prohibitions on the conduct of our business and significant reputational harm and could adversely affect our ability to market our products and services, which may have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our pharmacy services business is subject to the risks inherent in the dispensing, packaging, fulfillment and distribution of pharmaceuticals and other healthcare products, including exposure to liabilities and reputational harm related to clinical quality, patient safety, infusion center operations, and other risks inherent in the dispensing, packaging and distribution of drugs, and other operational errors by us or our pharmacy services suppliers.
Our pharmacy services business is subject to the risks inherent in the dispensing, packaging, fulfillment and distribution of pharmaceuticals and other healthcare products, including exposure to liabilities and reputational harm related to clinical quality, patient safety, infusion center operations, and other risks inherent in these activities, and other operational errors by us or our pharmacy services suppliers.
Legislation, regulation enforcement activity and judicial decisions that cause the Public Exchange to operate in a manner different than we projected in setting premium rates, including the potential expiration of enhanced PTCs at the end of 2025, could affect our results.
Legislation, regulation enforcement activity and judicial decisions that cause the Public Exchange to operate in a manner different than we projected in setting premium rates, including any potential changes relating to the expiration of enhanced PTCs at the end of 2025, could affect our results.
Additionally, other extreme events such as natural disasters, war, terrorism, increased crime, civil unrest and sanctions could create public health crises, operations disruptions or otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business, cash flows, financial condition and results of operations.
Additionally, other extreme events such as natural disasters, war, terrorism, increased crime, civil unrest and sanctions could create public health crises, operations disruptions or otherwise have an adverse effect on our business, cash flows, financial condition and results of operations.
Negative publicity and perception of the health benefits industry in general, the BCBSA, other BCBSA licensees, us, or our key vendors could limit our ability to attract and retain talent, impact the security of our workforce, and adversely affect our business, cash flows, financial condition and results of operations.
Negative publicity and sentiment regarding the health benefits industry in general, the BCBSA, other BCBSA licensees, us, or our key vendors could limit our ability to attract and retain talent, impact the security of our workforce, and adversely affect our business, cash flows, financial condition and results of operations.
The license agreements may be modified by the BCBSA, which could have a material adverse effect on our future expansion plans or results of operations. Further, BCBS licensees have certain requirements to perform administrative services for members of other BCBS licensees.
The license agreements may be modified by the BCBSA, which could have an adverse effect on our future expansion plans or results of operations. Further, BCBS licensees have certain requirements to perform administrative services for members of other BCBS licensees.
Both our lack of contracts with certain providers and the development of new federal and state laws could result in significant litigation or arbitration proceedings, to the extent a provider attempts to obtain payment from our members for the difference between the amount we have paid and the amount they have charged, or other increases in rates paid to out-of-network providers.
Both our lack of contracts with certain providers and the development of new federal and state laws could result in significant litigation or arbitration proceedings, including instances in which a provider attempts to obtain payment from our members for the difference between the amount we have paid and the amount they have charged, or other increases in rates paid to out-of-network providers.
In addition, any variation from our cost expectations regarding acuity, enrollment levels, adverse selection, or other assumptions utilized in setting premium rates, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.
In addition, any variation from our cost expectations regarding acuity, enrollment levels, adverse selection, or other assumptions utilized in setting premium rates, could have an adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.
An inability to retain and attract associates and executives could have a material adverse effect on our business, cash flows, financial condition and results of operations.
An inability to retain and attract associates and executives could have an adverse effect on our business, cash flows, financial condition and results of operations.
Any such future litigation or governmental investigation could divert the attention of management from the operation of our business, result in reputational damage and have a material adverse impact on our business, cash flows, financial condition, and results of operations.
Any such future litigation or governmental investigation could divert the attention of management from the operation of our business, result in reputational damage and have an adverse impact on our business, cash flows, financial condition, and results of operations.
Frequent and sometimes unpredictable changes to existing laws, rules and regulations or judicial interpretation, application or enforcement thereof, or development of new laws, rules, regulatory interpretations or judgments could force us to change how we conduct our business, affect the products and services we offer (and where we offer them), restrict revenue and enrollment growth, increase our costs, including operating, healthcare technology and administrative costs, restrict our ability to obtain new product approvals and implement changes in premium rates, and require enhancements to our compliance infrastructure and internal controls environment, which could adversely impact our business and results of operations.
Frequent and sometimes unpredictable changes to existing laws, rules and regulations or judicial interpretation, application or enforcement thereof, or development of new laws, rules, regulatory interpretations or judgments could force us to change how we conduct our business, affect the products and services we offer (and where we offer them), restrict revenue and enrollment growth, increase our costs, including operating, healthcare technology and administrative costs, restrict our ability to obtain new product approvals, modify existing products, and implement changes in premium rates, and require enhancements to our compliance infrastructure and internal controls environment.
As of December 31, 2024, we provided health benefit and other healthcare services to approximately 34 million Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield enrollees.
As of December 31, 2025, we provided health benefit and other healthcare services to approximately 34 million Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield enrollees.
Our inability to maintain positive trends, or to contract on favorable terms with CVS, wholesalers or pharmaceutical manufacturers for, among other things, rebates, discounts, administrative fees and inventory purchase prices, or a failure to identify and implement new ways to mitigate pricing pressures, could negatively impact our ability to attract or retain customers, negatively impact our margins and have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
Our inability to maintain positive trends, satisfy financial commitments to customers, or to contract on favorable terms with CVS, wholesalers or pharmaceutical manufacturers for, among other things, rebates, discounts, administrative fees and inventory purchase prices, or a failure to identify and implement new ways to mitigate pricing pressures, could negatively impact our ability to attract or retain customers, negatively impact our margins and have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
Any future evaluations requiring an impairment of our goodwill and other intangible assets could materially affect our results of operations and shareholders’ equity which could, in turn, negatively impact our debt ratings or potentially impact our compliance with existing debt covenants.
Any future evaluations requiring an impairment of our goodwill and other intangible assets could adversely affect our results of operations and shareholders’ equity which could, in turn, negatively impact our debt ratings or adversely impact our compliance with existing debt covenants.
Changes in existing laws or regulations applicable to these programs, or their interpretations, are difficult to predict and could have a material adverse effect on our business, cash flows, financial condition and results of operations.
Changes in existing laws or regulations applicable to these programs, or their interpretations, are difficult to predict and could have an adverse effect on our business, cash flows, financial condition and results of operations.
Our failure to implement adequate business continuity and disaster recovery strategies could significantly reduce our ability to provide products and services to our customers and members, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
Our failure to implement adequate business continuity and disaster recovery strategies could significantly reduce our ability to provide products and services to our customers and members, which could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
If enacted into law, these state proposals and actions could have a material adverse impact on our business, cash flows, operations or financial condition. Additionally, state legislative actions and litigation could impact ERISA pre-emption.
If enacted into law, these state proposals and actions could have an adverse impact on our business, cash flows, operations or financial condition. Additionally, state legislative actions and litigation could impact ERISA pre-emption.
As a health company offering health benefits, pharmacy services and other diversified products and services, we operate in a highly competitive industry that is subject to significant changes from and competition due to legislative reform, business consolidations, new strategic alliances, new market entrants, aggressive marketing practices, technological advancements and changing market practices such as increasing usage of telehealth.
As a health company offering health benefits, pharmacy services and other diversified products and services, we operate in a highly competitive industry that is subject to significant changes from and competition due to legislative reform, business consolidations, new strategic alliances, new market entrants, aggressive marketing practices, technological advancements and changing market practices.
Other factors affecting our pharmaceutical costs include, but are not limited to, existing prices, geographical variation in utilization of new FDA-approved pharmaceuticals and new FDA-approved indications for existing pharmaceuticals, and changes in discounts. In addition to the challenge of managing healthcare costs, we face pressure to contain premium rates.
Other factors affecting our pharmaceutical costs include, but are not limited to, existing prices, geographical variation in utilization of new FDA-approved pharmaceuticals and new FDA-approved indications for existing pharmaceuticals, current and potential future tariffs and changes in discounts. -24- In addition to the challenge of managing healthcare costs, we face pressure to contain premium rates.
Our information systems require an ongoing investment, commitment of significant resources to maintain, integrate, upgrade, enhance and expand existing systems, and development of new systems to keep pace with continuing changes in information processing technology, emerging cybersecurity risks, changing customer preferences, evolving industry and regulatory standards and legal requirements, including as a result of the ACA, the Health Plan Transparency Rule, the 2021 Appropriations Act and federal data interoperability regulations.
Our information systems require an ongoing investment, commitment of significant resources to maintain, integrate, upgrade, enhance and expand existing systems, and development of new systems, including systems powered by or incorporating AI and machine learning (including generative AI), to keep pace with continuing changes in information processing technology, emerging cybersecurity risks, changing customer preferences, evolving industry and regulatory standards and legal requirements, including as a result of the ACA, the Health Plan Transparency Rule, the 2021 Appropriations Act and federal data interoperability regulations.
Further, the integration into our business of entities that we acquire, or our expansion into new businesses or jurisdictions, may increase our regulatory risk and affect the way in which existing laws and rules apply to us.
Further, the integration into our business of entities that we acquire, or our expansion into new businesses or jurisdictions, may increase our regulatory risk and affect how existing laws and rules apply to us.
In order to achieve our long-term financial targets, we need to not only grow our profitable medical membership, but also continue to profitably grow and diversify our sources of revenue and earnings, including through the increased sale of our pharmacy services, both integrated and external, other healthcare services and products, and specialty products, such as stop loss, dental, vision and other supplemental products, expand our products and services and establish new cost of care solutions.
In order to achieve our long-term financial targets, we need to not only grow our profitable medical membership, but also continue to profitably grow and diversify our sources of revenue and earnings, including through the increased sale of our pharmacy services, both integrated and external, other healthcare services and products, and specialty products, expand our products and services and establish new cost of care solutions.
In particular, further regulations and modifications to the ACA and laws and regulations stemming from the ACA could impact the market for our products, funding for ACA programs, the regulations applicable to us and the fees and taxes payable by us and otherwise affect our business and future operations, some of which may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
In particular, further regulations and modifications to the ACA and laws and regulations stemming from the ACA could impact the market for our products, funding for ACA programs, the regulations applicable to us, the methodologies used to determine our reimbursement, and the fees and taxes payable by us and otherwise affect our business and future operations, any of which may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Actual results may be materially -26- different than our assumptions and estimates and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Actual results may be materially different than our assumptions and estimates and could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If any such negative economic conditions do not improve, we may experience a reduction in existing and new business, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, cash flows, financial condition and results of operations.
If any such negative economic conditions fail to improve, we may experience a reduction in existing and new business, which could have an adverse effect on our business, cash flows, financial condition and results of operations.
We are not currently able to estimate our potential financial obligations, losses or the availability of offsets associated with potential guaranty association assessments; however, any significant increase in guaranty association assessments could have a material adverse effect on our business, cash flows, financial condition, and results of operations.
We are not currently able to estimate our potential financial obligations, losses or the availability of offsets associated with future guaranty association assessments; however, any significant increase in guaranty association assessments could have an adverse effect on our business, cash flows, financial condition, and results of operations. We are subject to various risks associated with our international operations.
Each of the ratings organizations reviews our ratings periodically, and there can be no assurance that our current ratings will be maintained in the future. The value of our intangible assets may become impaired. As of December 31, 2024, we had $40.4 billion of goodwill and other intangible assets, representing 34.5% of our total consolidated assets.
Each of the ratings organizations reviews our ratings periodically, and there can be no assurance that our current ratings will be maintained in the future. The value of our intangible assets may become impaired. As of December 31, 2025, we had approximately $39.5 billion of goodwill and other intangible assets, representing 32.5% of our total consolidated assets.
In addition, legislative and/or regulatory policies or proposals that seek to manage the healthcare industry or otherwise impact our business may cause the market price of our securities to decrease, even if such policies or proposals never become effective.
Any of these developments could adversely impact our business and results of operations. In addition, legislative and/or regulatory policies or proposals that seek to manage the healthcare industry or otherwise impact our business may cause the market price of our securities to decrease, even if such policies or proposals never become effective.
Our profitability depends on accurately predicting and pricing for healthcare costs. Profitability is also dependent on our ability to manage future healthcare costs through medical management, product design, negotiation of favorable provider contracts and underwriting criteria. Total healthcare costs are affected by the type, number and unit cost of individual services rendered.
It also depends on our ability to manage future healthcare costs through medical management, product design, negotiation of favorable provider contracts and underwriting criteria. Total healthcare costs are affected by the type, number and unit cost of individual services rendered.
Further, if we do not improve our Star Ratings, or if quality-based bonus payments are reduced or eliminated, we will experience further negative impact on our revenues and the benefits that our plans can offer, which could materially and adversely affect the marketability of our plans, our ability to expand our business, our membership levels, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
If we do not maintain our Star Ratings in future years, or if quality-based bonus payments are reduced or eliminated, we would likely experience a negative impact on our revenues and the benefits that our plans can offer, which could adversely affect the marketability of our plans, our ability to expand our business, our membership levels, and our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
A pandemic or other large-scale medical emergency or public health crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, referred to collectively as “public health crises,” may cause illness, death, quarantines, business and school shutdowns, reductions in business activity, travel and financial transactions, unemployment, inflation, labor shortages, supply chain interruptions, disruptions in public and private infrastructure and overall economic and financial market instability.
A pandemic or other large-scale medical emergency or public health crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, referred to collectively as “public health crises,” may cause illness, death, quarantines, reduced operations or shutdowns of businesses and schools, unemployment, inflation, labor shortages, supply chain interruptions, disruptions in public and private infrastructure and overall economic and financial market instability.
In addition, changes in government regulations, policies or funding that apply to government-sponsored programs such as Medicare and Medicaid including, among other things, reimbursement levels, quality-based bonus payment determinations, eligibility and redetermination requirements, benefit coverage requirements and additional governmental participation, have adversely affected, and could in the future adversely affect, our business, cash flows, financial condition, and results of operations.
In addition, changes in government regulations, policies or funding that apply to government-sponsored programs such as Medicare and Medicaid including, among other things, reimbursement levels, quality-based bonus payment determinations, eligibility and redetermination requirements, taxes or assessments for our programs, such as premium taxes on health insurance, benefit coverage requirements, rate-setting methodologies, audit and oversight practices, and additional governmental participation, have adversely affected, and could in the future adversely affect, our business, cash flows, financial condition, and results of operations.
Growth of our home delivery, specialty pharmacy and infusion services businesses subjects us to an increase in licensure requirements, and to regulatory and operational risks as our pharmacy services business becomes more vertically integrated. Also, we and our third-party vendors may be subject to certain registration requirements and state and federal laws related to the practice of pharmacy.
Growth of our home delivery, specialty pharmacy and infusion services businesses subjects us to an increase in licensure requirements, and to statutory, regulatory and operational risks due to the integrated nature of our pharmacy services business. Also, we and our third-party vendors are subject to certain registration requirements and state and federal laws related to the practice of pharmacy.
For example, CMS made significant changes to the structure of the hierarchical condition category model in version 28, which may impact risk adjustment factor (“RAF”) scores for a larger percentage of Medicare Advantage beneficiaries and could result in changes to beneficiary RAF scores with or without a change in the patient’s health status.
For example, CMS made significant changes to the structure of the hierarchical condition category model in version 28, which impacted risk adjustment factor (“RAF”) scores for a larger percentage of Medicare Advantage beneficiaries and resulted in changes to beneficiary RAF scores regardless of a change in the patient’s health status.
The rapid advancement of these technologies presents opportunities for us, but there are risks associated with the development and deployment of AI, and there can be no assurance that our usage of AI will enhance our operations. We have developed and implemented policies and procedures intended to promote and sustain responsible design, development, and use of AI.
The rapid advancement of these technologies presents opportunities for us, but there are risks associated with the development and deployment of AI. We have developed and implemented policies and procedures intended to promote and sustain responsible design, development and use of AI.