CONSOLIDATED HIGHLIGHTS
Membership: Medical enrollment totaled approximately 39.5 million members at September 30, 2018, an increase of 5 thousand lives compared to the second quarter of 2018. Local Group and Medicare enrollment grew by 91 thousand and 27 thousand, respectively. The increase was partially offset by declines in the National, Individual, and Medicaid businesses.
Medical enrollment declined by 753 thousand members from 40.3 million members at September 30, 2017. The enrollment decline was driven by a reduced footprint in the IndividualACA-compliant marketplace and membership losses in Local Group and Medicaid. The decline was partially offset by enrollment growth in Medicare which grew 267 thousand as a result of acquisitions and organic growth in our existing counties.
Operating Revenue: Operating revenue was $23.0 billion in the third quarter of 2018, an increase of $883 million, or 4.0 percent, versus $22.1 billion in the prior year quarter. The increase in operating revenue reflects premium increases to cover overall cost trends and the return of the health insurance tax in 2018 as well as growth in Medicare, partially offset by a reduced footprint in the IndividualACA-compliant marketplace.
Benefit Expense Ratio:The benefit expense ratio was 84.8 percent in the third quarter of 2018, a decrease of 220 basis points from 87.0 percent in the prior year quarter. The decrease, as expected, was driven by the return of the health insurance tax in 2018 and enhanced medical cost performance in our Commercial & Specialty Business.
Medical claims reserves established at December 31, 2017 developed moderately better than the Company’s expectation during the first nine months of 2018.
Medical Cost Trend:For the full year 2018, Local Group medical cost trend is expected to be in the range of 6.0% +/- 50 basis points, with a bias slightly below the midpoint of the range.
Days in Claims Payable:Days in Claims Payable (“DCP”) was 38.7 days as of September 30, 2018, unchanged from 38.7 days as of June 30, 2018.
SG&A Expense Ratio: The SG&A expense ratio was 15.4 percent in the third quarter of 2018, an increase of 180 basis points from 13.6 percent in the third quarter of 2017. The increase, as expected, was largely driven by the return of the health insurance tax in 2018 and the impact of increased investment spend in 2018 to support growth initiatives.
Operating Cash Flow: Operating cash flow was $607 million, or 0.6 times net income in the third quarter of 2018, and $3.4 billion, or 1.0 times net income for the nine months ending September 30, 2018.
Share Repurchase Program: During the third quarter of 2018, the Company repurchased 1.5 million shares of its common stock for $397 million, or a weighted average price of $259.30. During the first nine months of 2018, the Company repurchased 5.0 million shares of its common stock for $1.2 billion, or a weighted average price of $240.15. As of September 30, 2018, the Company had approximately $6.0 billion of Board-approved share repurchase authorization remaining.
Cash Dividend:During the third quarter of 2018, the Company paid a quarterly dividend of $0.75 per share, representing a distribution of cash totaling $195 million.
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