CONSOLIDATED HIGHLIGHTS
Earnings Per Share: GAAP net income was $5.45 per share in the third quarter, including net negative adjustment items of $3.54 per share. Adjusted net income was $8.99* per share.
* | Please refer to the GAAP reconciliation tables on page 14. |
Membership: Medical membership totaled approximately 47.3 million as of September 30, 2023, an increase of 42 thousand, or 0.1 percent year-over-year, driven primarily by growth in BlueCard, Affordable Care Act health plans, and Medicare Advantage membership, partially offset by attrition in Medicaid due to the resumption of eligibility redeterminations and a new entrant into one of our state Medicaid programs in the third quarter, as well as declines in our Employer Group risk-based business.
During the third quarter of 2023, medical membership decreased by 664 thousand driven by attrition in Medicaid due to the aforementioned dynamics.
Operating Revenue: Operating revenue was $42.5 billion in the third quarter of 2023, an increase of $2.9 billion, or 7.2 percent year-over-year. The increase was primarily driven by higher premium revenue in our Health Benefits business and growth in pharmacy product revenue in CarelonRx due to growth in external pharmacy members served and the acquisition of BioPlus in the first quarter of 2023.
Benefit Expense Ratio: The benefit expense ratio was 86.8 percent in the third quarter, an improvement of 40 basis points year-over-year. The improvement was driven by premium rate adjustments in recognition of medical cost trend.
Medical claims reserves established at December 31, 2022 developed within the range of the Company’s expectations as of the third quarter of 2023.
Days in Claims Payable: Days in Claims Payable was 48.6 days as of September 30, 2023, an increase of 2.1 days from June 30, 2023 and an increase of 0.9 days compared to September 30, 2022.
Operating Expense Ratio: The operating expense ratio was 12.9% percent in the third quarter of 2023, an increase of 150 basis points from 11.4% in the third quarter of 2022. The increase was due to a business optimization charge recognized in the quarter.
In the third quarter, we completed a strategic review of our operations, assets, and investments to enhance operating efficiency, refine the focus of our investments in innovation and optimize our physical footprint. This resulted in a net charge of $697 million, comprised of the write-off of certain information technology assets and contract exit costs, a reduction in staff including the relocation of certain job functions, and the impairment of assets associated with the closure or partial closure of data centers and offices.
Operating Cash Flow: Operating cash flow was approximately $2.6 billion, or 2.0 times net income in the third quarter of 2023, a decrease of $2.3 billion as compared to the prior year quarter. The year-on-year decrease was driven by the receipt of an additional month of CMS payments in the third quarter of 2022.
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