| SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies) | 12 Months Ended |
| Dec. 31, 2018 |
| Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
| Basis of Presentation | The consolidated balance sheets and statements of comprehensive income, changes in stockholders' equity, and cash flows include our accounts and the accounts of our subsidiaries over which we have control or are the primary beneficiary. We eliminated all intercompany accounts and transactions. |
| Use of Estimates | The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP"), which requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. We base these estimates on our knowledge of current events and anticipated future events and evaluate and update our assumptions and estimates on an ongoing basis; however, actual results may differ from our estimates. We evaluated all material events subsequent to the date of these consolidated financial statements. |
| Reclassifications | Certain reclassifications were made to 2016 and 2017 financial information to conform with 2018 presentation. |
| Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Standards | Recently Adopted Accounting Standards In June 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") 2018-07, “Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718) - Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting.” This update expands the scope of Topic 718, which currently only includes share-based payments issued to employees, to include share-based payments issued to non-employees for goods and services. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than the Company’s adoption of ASU 2014-09. We adopted this guidance on January 1, 2019. We do not anticipate the adoption of this guidance to have a material effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02 " Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income", which allows entities to reclassify stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We adopted this guidance prospectively on January 1, 2019. We do not anticipate the adoption of this guidance to have a material effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, " Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718) - Scope of Modification Accounting ". This guidance addresses which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting pursuant to Topic 718. An entity should account for the effects of a modification unless (a) the fair value of the modified award is the same as the fair value of the original award, (b) the vesting conditions of the modified award are the same as the vesting conditions of the original award and (c) the classification of the modified award as an equity instrument or a liability instrument is the same as the classification of the original award immediately before the original award is modified. The amendments in this guidance should be applied prospectively for public business entities effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods. We adopted this guidance prospectively on January 1, 2018. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-08, " Receivables—Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities ". This update shortens the amortization period for the premium on certain purchased callable debt securities to the earliest call date. Currently, entities generally amortize the premium as a yield adjustment over the contractual life of the security. The new guidance does not change the accounting for purchased callable debt securities held at a discount. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We adopted this guidance on January 1, 2019 on a modified retrospective basis. We do not anticipate the adoption of this guidance to have a material effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, " Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment ". This update eliminates the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill to measure a goodwill impairment charge. As a result, an entity should perform its annual goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. We adopted this guidance prospectively on January 1, 2018. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, “ Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business .” The amendments in this update provide guidance to assist entities with evaluating when a group of transferred assets and activities (collectively referred to as a "set") is a business. This new guidance provides for a "screen", which requires a determination that when substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets, the set is not a business. If the screen's threshold is not met, a set cannot be considered a business unless it includes an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create output, eliminating the evaluation of whether a market participant could replace missing elements. This guidance is effective for prospective business combinations for public entities for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. We adopted this guidance prospectively on January 1, 2018. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, “ Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) Restricted Cash; a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force. ” This update requires entities to reconcile, on the statement of cash flows, changes in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. This guidance is effective for public entities for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and will be applied retrospectively. We adopted this guidance retrospectively on January 1, 2018. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents as reported within the consolidated balance sheets to the total of the same such amounts shown within the consolidated statements of cash flows: As of December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Cash and cash equivalents $ 3,653.9 $ 4,198.6 Restricted cash and cash equivalents (1) 62.7 64.4 Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash equivalents $ 3,716.6 $ 4,263.0 (1) Restricted cash and cash equivalents consist of restricted cash and restricted money market funds and are included in Restricted cash, cash equivalents and investments within noncurrent assets of our consolidated balance sheets. Refer to Note 7 - Restricted Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments for further detail. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, " Statement of Cash Flows Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (Topic 230) ." This update targets eight specific areas to clarify how these cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. This guidance is effective for public entities for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. We adopted this guidance on January 1, 2018. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “ Leases (Topic 842) ” (“ASU 2016-02”), which for operating leases, requires a lessee to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability, initially measured at the present value of the lease payments in its balance sheet. This standard also requires a lessee to recognize a single lease cost, calculated so that the cost of the lease is allocated over the lease term, on a generally straight-line basis. Subsequently, in July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, “ Leases (Topic 842), Targeted Improvements ” which, among other things, allows companies to elect an optional transition method to apply the new lease standard through a cumulative-effect adjustment, if any, in the period of adoption. We adopted the standard on January 1, 2019 using the optional transition method. We elected the practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance, which, among other things, allows us to carryforward our historical lease classifications. Additionally, we elected the practical expedient to not separate non-lease components from the associated lease component. In preparation for the new requirements, we implemented a new lease accounting system. While we continue to assess the potential effect of ASU 2016-02, based on the operating leases in effect as of January 1, 2019, we expect the adoption of this guidance will result in the recognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities of approximately $ 350.0 million to $ 425.0 million . We do not anticipate the adoption of this guidance to have a material effect on our consolidated results of operations or cash flows. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, " Financial Instrument - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, " which requires entities to measure equity securities that are not consolidated or accounted for under the equity method at fair value through net income. This amendment also simplifies the impairment test of equity investments without readily determinable fair values. This guidance is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We adopted this guidance prospectively on January 1, 2018. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, " Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). " ASU 2014-09 superseded existing revenue recognition standards with a single model unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards (e.g., an insurance entity’s insurance contracts). The revenue recognition principle in ASU 2014-09 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, new and enhanced disclosures are required. Companies can adopt the new standard either using the full retrospective approach, a modified retrospective approach with practical expedients, or a cumulative effect upon adoption approach. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, " Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date ", which deferred the effective dates of ASU 2014-09 by one year. We adopted this guidance on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach. Given that substantially all of our revenues are derived from insurance contracts accounted for in accordance with ASC 944, Financial Services-Insurance , which are specifically excluded from the scope of ASU 2014-09, the adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. Recently Issued Accounting Standards In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, " Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software: Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement that is a Service Contract", which requires implementation costs incurred by customers in cloud computing arrangements (i.e., hosting arrangements) to be capitalized under the same premises of authoritative guidance for internal-use software, and deferred over the noncancellable term of the cloud computing arrangements plus any option renewal periods that are reasonably certain to be exercised by the customer or for which the exercise is controlled by the service provider. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently assessing the effect this guidance will have on our consolidated results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, " Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), " which requires entities to use a current expected credit loss model, which is a new impairment model based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. Under this model, an entity would recognize an impairment allowance equal to its current estimate of all contractual cash flows that the entity does not expect to collect from financial assets measured at amortized cost. The entity's estimate would consider relevant information about past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts, which will result in recognition of lifetime expected credit losses upon loan origination. ASU 2016-13 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. We are currently assessing the effect this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements. |
| Premium Revenue Recognition and Premiums Receivable | Premium Revenue Recognition and Premiums Receivable We earn premium revenue primarily through our participation in Medicaid, Medicaid-related and Medicare programs. Our Medicaid contracts with state agencies generally are multi-year contracts subject to annual renewal provisions, while our Medicare contracts with CMS renew annually. Our Medicare and Medicaid contracts establish fixed, monthly premium rates per member ("PMPM"), which are generally determined at the beginning of each new contract renewal period; however, premiums may be adjusted by CMS and state agencies throughout the term of the contracts in certain cases. Premium rate changes are recognized in the period the change becomes effective, when the effect of the change in the rate is reasonably estimable and collection is assured. We recognize premium revenue in the period in which we are obligated to provide services to our members. We are generally paid by CMS and state agencies in the month in which we provide services. On a monthly basis, we bill members for any premiums for which they are responsible according to their respective plan. We record premiums earned but not received as premiums receivable and record premiums received in advance of the period of service as unearned premiums in the consolidated balance sheets. Unearned premiums are recognized as revenue when we provide the related services. Member premiums are recognized as revenue in the period of service. We estimate, on an on-going basis, the amount of members' billings that may not be collectible based on our evaluation of historical trends. An allowance is established for the estimated amount that may not be collectible. In addition, we routinely monitor the collectability of specific premiums receivable from CMS and state agencies, including Medicaid receivables for obstetric deliveries and newborns, and net receivables for member retroactivity. We reduce revenue and premiums receivable by the amount we estimate may not be collectible. We reported premiums receivable net of an allowance for uncollectible premiums receivable of $26.6 million and $16.3 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. Historically, the provision for uncollectible premiums for member premiums receivable has not been material relative to consolidated premium revenue. Premium payments are based upon eligibility lists produced by CMS and state agencies. We verify these lists to determine whether we have been paid for the correct premium category and program. From time to time, CMS and state agencies require us to reimburse them for premiums that we received for individuals who were subsequently determined to be ineligible for any government-sponsored program or belong to a plan other than ours. Additionally, the verification of membership may result in additional premiums due to us from CMS and state agencies for individuals who were subsequently determined to belong to our plan for periods in which we received no premium for those members. We estimate the amount of outstanding retroactivity adjustments and adjust premium revenue based on historical trends, premiums billed, the volume of member and contract renewal activity and other information. We record amounts receivable in premiums receivable, net and amounts payable in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the consolidated balance sheets. Supplemental Medicaid Premiums We earn supplemental premium payments for eligible obstetric deliveries and/or newborns for our Medicaid members in several of our states. We also earn supplemental Medicaid premium payments in some states for high cost drugs and other eligible services. Each state Medicaid contract specifies how and when these supplemental payments are earned and paid. We recognize supplemental premium revenue in the period we provide related services to our members. For the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 we recognized approximately $385.2 million , $478.9 million and $238.7 million , respectively, of supplemental Medicaid premium revenue. Medicaid ACA Industry Fee Reimbursement The ACA imposed certain new taxes and fees, including an annual premium-based health insurance industry assessment (the "ACA industry fee") on health insurers, which began in 2014. We received amendments, written agreements or other documentation from all of our state Medicaid customers that commit them to reimburse us for the portion of the ACA industry fee attributable to our Medicaid plans, including its non-deductibility for income tax purposes. In December 2016, President Obama signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 which, among other provisions, included a one-year moratorium on the ACA industry fee for 2017. As a result, the associated Medicaid ACA industry fee reimbursements from our state government partners were eliminated for 2017. Accordingly, we recognized $302.2 million and $244.9 million of Medicaid ACA industry fee reimbursement revenue for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2016, respectively. We did not recognize any Medicaid ACA industry fee reimbursement revenue for the year ended December 31, 2017. While the ACA industry fee was assessed in 2018, the continuing spending resolution passed into law in January 2018 provides for an additional one-year moratorium for the ACA industry fee in 2019. Medicaid Risk-Adjusted Premiums and Retroactive Rate Changes As previously discussed, Medicaid premium rate changes are recognized in the period the change becomes effective, when the effect of the change in the rate is reasonably estimable and collection is assured. In some instances, our Medicaid premiums are subject to risk score adjustments based on the health profile of our membership. Generally, the risk score is determined by the state agency's analysis of encounter submissions of processed claims data to determine the acuity of our membership relative to the entire state's Medicaid membership. The frequency of when states adjust premiums varies, but is usually done quarterly, semi-annual or annual on a retrospective basis. We recognize periodic changes to risk-adjusted premiums as revenue when the amounts are determinable and collection is reasonably assured. As of December 31, 2018, our consolidated balance sheet includes a net receivable from our Medicaid state partners of $54.4 million related to retroactive rate changes and risk score adjustments, compared with a net payable to our Medicaid state partners of $50.7 million as of December 31, 2017. Historically, we have not experienced significant differences between our estimates and amounts ultimately paid or received. Medicare Risk-Adjusted Premiums CMS provides risk-adjusted payments for MA Plans and PDPs based on the demographics and health severity of enrollees. The risk-adjusted premiums we receive are based on claims and encounter data that we submit to CMS within prescribed deadlines. We develop our estimates for risk-adjusted premiums utilizing historical experience, or other data, and predictive models as sufficient member risk score data becomes available over the course of each CMS plan year. We recognize periodic changes to risk-adjusted premiums as revenue when the amounts are determinable and collection is reasonably assured, which is possible as additional diagnosis code information is reported to CMS, when the ultimate adjustment settlements are received from CMS, or we receive notification of such settlement amounts. CMS adjusts premiums on two separate occasions on a retrospective basis. The first retrospective adjustment for a given plan year generally occurs during the third quarter of that year. This initial settlement represents the update of risk scores for the current plan year based on the severity of claims incurred in the prior plan year. CMS then issues a final retrospective risk adjusted premium settlement for that plan year in the following year. Historically, we have not experienced significant differences between our estimates and amounts ultimately received. The data provided to CMS to determine members' risk scores is subject to audit by CMS even after the annual settlements occur. An audit may result in the refund of premiums to CMS. While our experience to date has not resulted in a material refund, future refunds could materially reduce premium revenue in the year in which CMS determines a refund is required and could be material to our results of operations, financial position and cash flows. |
| Minimum Medical Expense and Risk Corridor Provisions | Minimum Medical Expense and Risk Corridor Provisions We may be required to refund certain premium revenue to state agencies and CMS under various contractual and plan arrangements. We estimate the effect of the following arrangements on a monthly basis and reflect any adjustments to premium revenues in current operations. We report the estimated net amounts due to state agencies and CMS in other payables to government partners in the consolidated balance sheets. Certain of our Medicaid contracts require us to expend a minimum percentage of premiums on eligible medical benefits expense. To the extent that we expend less than the minimum percentage of the premiums on eligible medical benefits, we are required to refund to the state all or some portion of the difference between the minimum and our actual allowable medical benefits expense. Additionally, certain of our Medicaid contracts include other types of risk sharing arrangements (e.g., profit sharing arrangements) that require return of revenue to the state or receipt of revenue from the state, based on certain pre-tax earnings, net earnings or other results of operations -based calculations. In all arrangements, we estimate the amounts due from or to the state agencies based on the terms of our contracts with the applicable state agency and record the amounts as a change in premium. Historically, we have not experienced material differences between our recorded estimates and the subsequent state agencies settlement amounts. Our MA and PDP premiums are subject to risk sharing through the CMS Medicare Part D risk corridor provisions. The risk corridor calculation compares our actual experience to the target amount of prescription drug costs, limited to costs under the standard coverage as defined by CMS, less rebates included in our submitted plan year bid. We receive additional premium from CMS if our actual experience is more than 5% above the target amount. We refund premiums to CMS if our actual experience is more than 5% below the target amount. Based on the risk corridor provision and PDP activity-to-date, an estimated risk-sharing receivable or payable is recorded as an adjustment to premium revenue. After the close of the annual plan year, CMS performs the risk corridor calculation and any differences are settled between CMS and our plans. Historically, we have not experienced material differences between the subsequent CMS settlement amount and our recorded estimates. Beginning in 2014, the ACA required the establishment of a minimum medical loss ratio (“MLR”) for MA plans and Part D plans, requiring them to spend not less than 85% of premiums on medical benefits. The rules implementing the minimum MLR impose financial and other penalties for failing to achieve the minimum MLR, including requirements to refund to CMS shortfalls in amounts spent on medical benefits and termination of a plan’s MA contract for prolonged failure to achieve the minimum MLR. MLR is determined by adding a plan’s spending for clinical services, prescription drugs and other direct patient benefits, plus its total spending on quality improvement activities and dividing the total by earned premiums (after subtracting specific identified taxes and other fees). |
| Medicare Part D Settlements | Medicare Part D Subsidies For qualifying low income PDP members, CMS pays for some, or all, of the member's monthly premium. We receive certain Part D prospective subsidy payments from CMS for our MA and PDP members as a fixed monthly per member amount, based on the estimated costs of providing prescription drug benefits over the plan year, as reflected in our bids. Approximately nine to ten months subsequent to the end of the plan year, or later in the case of the coverage gap discount subsidy, a settlement payment is made between CMS and our plans based on the difference between the prospective payments and actual claims experience. The subsidy components under Part D are described below. Low-Income Cost Sharing Subsidy ("LICS") -For qualifying low income members, CMS reimburses us for all or a portion of the low income member's deductible, coinsurance and co-payment amounts above the out-of-pocket threshold. Catastrophic Reinsurance Subsidy -CMS reimburses plans for 80% of the drug costs after a member reaches his or her out-of-pocket catastrophic threshold through a catastrophic reinsurance subsidy. Coverage Gap Discount Subsidy ("CGDS") -CMS provides monthly prospective payments for pharmaceutical manufacturer discounts made available to members. Catastrophic reinsurance subsidies and the LICS represent cost reimbursements under the Medicare Part D program. We are fully reimbursed by CMS for costs incurred for these contract elements and, accordingly, there is no insurance risk to us. Therefore, amounts received for these subsidies are not considered premium revenue, and are reported, net of the subsidy benefits paid, as Funds receivable/held for the benefit of members in the consolidated balance sheets. The receipts and payments between us and CMS are presented on a net basis as financing activity in our consolidated statements of cash flows because we are essentially administering and paying the benefit subsidies on behalf of CMS. Historically, the settlement payments between us and CMS have not been materially different from our estimates. CGDS advance payments are recorded within Funds receivable/payable for the benefit of members in the consolidated balance sheets. Receivables are set up for manufacturer-invoiced amounts. Manufacturer payments reduce the receivable as payments are received. After the end of the contract year, during the Medicare Part D Payment reconciliation process for the CGDS, CMS will perform a cost-based reconciliation to ensure the Medicare Part D sponsor is paid for gap discounts advanced at the point of sale, based on accepted prescription drug event data. Funds payable for the benefit of members, net consisted of the following (in millions): As of December 31, 2018 2017 Low-income cost sharing subsidy $ 97.7 $ (47.7 ) Catastrophic reinsurance subsidy (583.2 ) (987.1 ) Coverage gap discount subsidy (20.5 ) (13.6 ) Funds payable for the benefit of members, net (1) $ (506.0 ) $ (1,048.4 ) (1) The components of net funds payable for the benefit of members, net are classified in the consolidated balance sheets as $187.3 million and $693.3 million in current assets and current liabilities, respectively, as of December 31, 2018 , and as $27.5 million and $1,075.9 million in current assets and current liabilities, respectively, as of December 31, 2017 . Based on our historical experience and trends, our 2018 PDP and MA bids reflected higher estimates for cash outflows for the government's responsibility of the Part D benefit plan design as compared with our 2017 bids, particularly for the catastrophic reinsurance subsidy; however, the level of subsidy payments we made on behalf of CMS compared with the level of subsidies we received in 2018 were significantly lower than our 2018 bids due to the composition of the 2018 PDP membership. |
| Medical Benefits Expense and Medical Benefits Payable | Medical Benefits Expense and Medical Benefits Payable We recognize the cost of medical benefits in the period in which services are provided, including an estimate of the cost of medical benefits incurred but not reported ("IBNR"). Medical benefits expense includes direct medical expenses and certain medically-related administrative costs. Direct medical expenses include amounts paid or payable to hospitals, physicians, pharmacy benefit managers and providers of ancillary services. Recorded direct medical expenses are reduced by the amount of pharmacy rebates earned, which are estimated based on historical utilization of specific pharmaceuticals, current utilization and contract terms. Pharmacy rebates earned but not yet received from pharmaceutical manufacturers are included in pharmacy rebates receivable in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Direct medical expenses may also include reserves for estimated referral claims related to health care providers under contract with us who are financially troubled or insolvent and who may not be able to honor their obligations for the costs of medical services provided by other providers. In these instances, we may be required to honor these obligations for legal or business reasons. Based on our current assessment of providers under contract with us, such losses have not been and are not expected to be significant. Also included in direct medical expense are our estimates for provider settlements due to clarification of contract terms, out-of-network reimbursement, claims payment differences and amounts due to contracted providers under risk-sharing and/or value-based arrangements. Consistent with the criteria specified and defined in guidance issued by the Department of Health and Human Services ("HHS") for costs that qualify to be reported as medical benefits under the minimum MLR provision of the ACA, we record certain medically related administrative costs such as preventive health and wellness, care management, and other quality improvement costs, as medical benefits expense. All other medically related administrative costs, such as utilization review services, network and provider credentialing and claims handling costs, are recorded in selling, general, and administrative expense. Medical benefits payable represents amounts for claims fully adjudicated but not yet paid and estimates for IBNR. Our estimate of IBNR is the most significant estimate included in our consolidated financial statements. We determine our best estimate of the base liability for IBNR utilizing consistent standard actuarial methodologies based upon key assumptions, which vary by business segment. Our assumptions include current payment experience, trend factors, and completion factors. Trend factors in our standard actuarial methodologies include contractual requirements, historic utilization trends, the interval between the date services are rendered and the date claims are paid, denied claims activity, disputed claims activity, benefit changes, expected health care cost inflation, seasonality patterns, maturity of lines of business, changes in membership and other factors. After determining an estimate of the base liability for IBNR, we make an additional estimate, also using standard actuarial techniques, to account for adverse conditions that may cause actual claims to be higher than the estimated base reserve. We refer to this additional liability as the provision for moderately adverse conditions. Our estimate of the provision for moderately adverse conditions captures the potential adverse development from factors such as: • our entry into new geographical markets; • our provision of services to new populations such as the aged, blind and disabled; • variations in utilization of benefits and increasing medical costs, including higher drug costs; • changes in provider reimbursement arrangements; • variations in claims processing speed and patterns, claims payment and the severity of claims; and • health epidemics or outbreaks of disease such as the flu or enterovirus. We evaluate our estimates of medical benefits payable as we obtain more complete claims information and medical expense trend data over time. We record differences between actual experience and estimates used to establish the liability, which we refer to as favorable and unfavorable prior year reserve developments, as increases or decreases to medical benefits expense in the period we identify the differences. Premium Deficiency Reserves We evaluate our contracts to determine if it is probable that a loss will be incurred. We establish a premium deficiency reserve ("PDR") when it is probable that expected future medical benefits and administrative expenses will exceed future premiums and reinsurance recoveries for the remainder of a contract period. For purposes of determining a PDR, we do not consider investment income and contracts are grouped in a manner consistent with our method of acquiring, servicing and measuring the profitability of such contracts. A PDR is recorded as medical benefits expense and in medical benefits payable. Once established, a PDR is reduced over the contract period as an offset to actual losses. We re-evaluate our PDR estimates each reporting period and, if estimated future losses differ from those in the current PDR estimate, we adjust the liability through medical benefits expense, as necessary. |
| ACA Industry Fee | ACA Industry Fee Beginning in 2014, the ACA industry fee was levied on certain health insurers that provide insurance in the assessment year and is allocated to health insurers based on each health insurer's share of net premiums for all U.S health insurers in the year preceding the assessment. The initial estimated liability for each year is accrued as of January 1, with a corresponding deferred expense asset that is amortized over 12 months to expense on a straight line basis. The fee is payable by September 30 of each year. The ACA industry fee is not deductible for income tax purposes, which significantly increased our effective income tax rate during 2018 and 2016 compared to prior periods. As previously discussed, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016, included a one-year moratorium on the ACA industry fee for 2017, among other provisions. |
| Equity-Based Employee Compensation | Equity-Based Employee Compensation Certain of our employees, including executive officers, are eligible for long-term incentive awards ("LTI Program"), consisting of equity awards granted pursuant to the WellCare Health Plans, Inc. 2013 Incentive Compensation Plan (the "2013 Plan"). We designed the LTI Program to motivate and promote the achievement of our long-term financial and operating goals and improve retention. Under the LTI Program, we grant multi-year performance period awards that are not realized by employees and officers until subsequent years. We base award amounts on each participant's pre-established long-term incentive target and allocate the awards to various types of equity and performance-based cash awards, depending on job level. The Compensation Committee of our board of directors (the "Compensation Committee") has sole discretion of the ultimate funding and payout of certain performance awards under the LTI program. The Compensation Committee awards certain equity-based compensation under our stock plans, including stock options, restricted stock units ("RSUs"), performance stock units ("PSUs") and market stock units ("MSUs"), each of which is described below: RSUs - For each RSU granted, employees receive one share of common stock, net of taxes withheld at the statutory minimum, at the end of the vesting period. RSUs typically vest one to three years from the date of grant. We estimate compensation cost for RSUs based on the grant date fair value, which is based on the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant, and recognize the expense ratably over the vesting period of the award. PSUs - The actual number of common stock shares earned upon vesting will range from zero shares up to 200% of the target award, depending on the award date, the target award amounts for the PSU awards and our achievement of certain financial, market-based and quality-based performance goals set by the Compensation Committee at its sole discretion. PSUs generally cliff-vest 3 years from the grant date based on the achievement of the performance goals and conditioned on the employee's continued service through the vesting date. The number of shares earned by the participant are generally paid net of taxes withheld at the statutory minimum. The Compensation Committee has awarded two variations of PSUs, including: • Financial and Quality Performance Goals: Certain of our PSUs are subject to variable accounting as they do not have a grant date fair value for accounting purposes due to the subjective nature of the terms of the PSUs, which precludes a mutual understanding of the key terms and conditions. We recognize expense for PSUs ultimately expected to vest over the requisite service period based on our estimates of progress made towards the achievement of the predetermined performance measures and changes in the market price of our common stock. In March 2016, we issued certain PSUs whereby a mutual understanding of key terms and conditions exist; therefore, for these awards we estimate compensation cost based on the grant date fair value, as well as our estimate of the performance outcome, and recognize the expense ratably over the vesting period of the award with cumulative changes in expense recognized in periods in which performance conditions change or are ultimately met. • Market Based Goals: Beginning in 2016, we issued certain PSUs, which are subject to a market condition (total shareholder return relative to industry peer companies or prescribed stock price growth) and we estimate compensation cost based on the grant date fair value and recognize the expense ratably over the vesting period of the award. For these PSUs, the grant date fair value is measured using a Monte Carlo simulation approach, which estimates the fair value of awards based on randomly generated simulated stock-price paths through a lattice-type structure. PSUs expected to vest are recognized as expense either on a straight-line or accelerated basis, depending on the award structure, over the vesting period. MSUs - The number of shares of common stock earned upon vesting is determined based on the ratio of our average common stock price during the last 30 days market trading days of the calendar year immediately preceding the vesting date to the comparable average common stock price in the year immediately preceding the grant date, applied to the base units granted. The performance ratio is capped at 200% . If our common stock price declines by more than 50% over the performance period, no shares are earned by the recipient. The number of shares earned by the participant are generally paid net of taxes withheld at the statutory minimum. For MSUs, the grant date fair value is measured using a Monte Carlo simulation approach, which estimates the fair value of awards based on randomly generated simulated stock-price paths through a lattice-type structure. MSUs expected to vest are recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, which is generally three years. The last of our MSU awards vested in March 2018. We estimate equity-based compensation expense based on awards ultimately expected to vest. We make assumptions of forfeiture rates at the time of grant and continuously reassess our assumptions based on actual forfeiture experience. |
| Medicaid Premium Taxes | Medicaid Premium Taxes Premiums related to our Medicaid contracts in certain states are subject to an assessment or tax on Medicaid premiums. The premium revenues we receive from these states include a reimbursement for this premium assessment. We have reported premium taxes on a gross basis, as premium revenue and as premium tax expense in the consolidated statements of income. We recognize the premium tax assessment as expense in the period we earn the related premium revenue and remit the taxes back to the state agencies on a periodic basis. |
| Income Tax Expense | Income Tax Expense We record income tax expense as incurred based on enacted tax rates, estimates of book-to-tax differences in income, and projections of income that will be earned in each taxing jurisdiction. We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the estimated future tax consequences of differences between the carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. We measure deferred tax assets and liabilities using tax rates, as enacted by law and applicable to taxable income in the years in which we expect to recover or settle those temporary differences. We record a valuation allowance on deferred taxes if we determine it is more likely than not that we will not fully realize the future benefit of deferred tax assets. We file tax returns after the close of our fiscal year end and adjust our estimated tax receivable or liability to the actual tax receivable or due per the filed state and federal tax returns. Historically, we have not experienced significant differences between our estimates of income tax expense and actual amounts incurred. State and federal taxing authorities may challenge the positions we take on our filed tax returns. We evaluate our tax positions and only recognize a tax benefit if it is more likely than not that a tax audit will sustain our conclusion. Based on our evaluation of tax positions, we believe that potential tax exposures have been recorded appropriately. State and federal taxing authorities may propose additional tax assessments based on periodic audits of our tax returns. We believe our tax positions comply with applicable tax law in all material aspects and we will vigorously defend our positions on audit. The ultimate resolution of these audits may materially affect our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. |
| Cash and Cash Equivalents | Cash and Cash Equivalents We classify unrestricted cash and short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less as cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated balance sheets. We record cash and cash equivalents at cost, which approximates fair value. |
| Investments | Investments We classify our fixed maturity securities, including short-term, long-term, and restricted investments, as available-for-sale and report them at fair value. We generally record unrealized gains and losses on securities, net of deferred income taxes, as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in the consolidated balance sheets. We record investment income when earned and classify investment income earned but not received in prepaid expenses and other current assets in the consolidated balance sheets. We may purchase fixed maturity securities at a premium or discount. We amortize these premiums and discounts as adjustments to investment income over the estimated remaining term of the securities. We determine realized gains and losses on sales of securities on a specific identification basis. We determine the fair value of fixed maturity securities based on quoted prices in active markets or market prices provided by a third-party pricing service. The third-party pricing service determines market prices using inputs such as reported trades, benchmark yields, issuer spreads, bids, offers, estimated cash flows and prepayment spreads. Based on the typical trading volumes and the lack of quoted market prices for fixed maturities, third party pricing services will normally derive the security prices through recent reported trades for identical or similar securities making adjustments through the reporting date based upon available market observable information. If there are no recent reported trades, the pricing services may use matrix or model processes to develop a security price using future cash flow expectations based upon collateral performance and discount this at an estimated market rate. We regularly compare the fair value of our investments to the amortized cost of those investments. The evaluation of impairment is a quantitative and qualitative process, which is subject to risk and uncertainties. Our fixed maturity investments are exposed to four primary sources of investment risk: credit, interest rate, liquidity and market valuation. The financial statement risks are those associated with the recognition of impairments and income, as well as the determination of fair values. We perform a case-by-case evaluation of the underlying reasons for the decline in fair value and consider a wide range of factors about the security issuer, including assumptions and estimates about the operations of the issuer and its future earnings potential. We use our best judgment in evaluating the cause of the decline in the estimated fair value of the security and in assessing the prospects for near-term recovery. Our evaluation of impairment includes, but is not limited to: • the length of time and the extent to which the market value has been below cost; • the potential for impairments of securities when the issuer is experiencing significant financial difficulties; • the potential for impairments in an entire industry sector or sub-sector; • the potential for impairments in certain economically depressed geographic locations; • the potential for impairments of securities where the issuer, series of issuers or industry has suffered a catastrophic type of loss or has exhausted natural resources; • unfavorable changes in forecasted cash flows on asset-backed securities; and • other subjective factors, including concentrations and information obtained from regulators and rating agencies. We recognize impairments of securities when we consider a decline in fair value below the amortized cost basis to be other-than-temporary. If we intend to sell a security, or it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, we recognize an other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI") in earnings equal to the entire difference between the security's amortized cost basis and its fair value. If we do not intend to sell the security and it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, but the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis of the security (referred to as the credit loss), we conclude an OTTI has occurred. In this instance, we bifurcate the total OTTI into the amount related to the credit loss, which we recognize in earnings as investment income, net, with the remaining amount of the total OTTI attributed to other factors (referred to as the noncredit portion) recognized as a separate component in other comprehensive income. After the recognition of an OTTI, we account for the security as if it had been purchased on the measurement date of the OTTI, with an amortized cost basis equal to the previous amortized cost basis less than the OTTI recognized in earnings. |
| Restricted Investments | Restricted Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments As a condition for licensure, we are required to maintain certain funds on deposit or pledged to various state agencies. Certain of our state contracts require the issuance of surety bonds. We record our restricted cash, cash equivalents, and other short-term investments, at fair value. We classify restricted cash, cash equivalents and investments as long-term regardless of the contractual maturity date of the securities held, due to the nature of the states' requirements. |
| Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets | Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets Prepaid expenses and other current assets, net, are comprised of receivables relating to advances to providers, prepaid premium taxes, pharmaceutical coverage gap discounts receivable and other prepaid expenses and current assets. The balance also includes utilization performance guarantee program receivables from our new pharmacy benefit manager. |
| Property, Equipment and Capitalized Software, net | Property, Equipment and Capitalized Software, net Property, equipment and capitalized software are stated at historical cost, net of accumulated depreciation. We capitalize certain costs incurred in the development of internal-use software, including external direct costs of materials and services and payroll costs of employees devoted to specific software development. We expense other software development costs, such as training and data conversion costs, as incurred. We capitalize the costs of improvements that extend the useful lives of the related assets. We record depreciation expense using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, which ranges from three to ten years for leasehold improvements, five years for furniture and equipment, and three to seven years for computer equipment and software. We record maintenance and repair costs as selling, general and administrative expense when incurred. On an ongoing basis, we review events or changes in circumstances that may indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. If the carrying value of an asset exceeds the sum of estimated undiscounted future cash flows, we recognize an impairment loss in the current period for the difference between estimated fair value and carrying value. If assets are determined to be recoverable but the useful lives are shorter than we originally estimated, we depreciate the remaining net book value of the asset over the newly determined remaining useful lives. |
| Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets | Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Our acquisitions typically result in goodwill, which represents the excess of the acquisition cost over the fair value of net assets acquired. Goodwill is assigned to reporting units, which we determined to be the same as our operating segments. Goodwill recorded at December 31, 2018 was $2.2 billion compared with $660.7 million at December 31, 2017 . Goodwill attributable to our Medicaid reporting unit was $274.7 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017 . Goodwill attributable to our MA reporting unit was $392.3 million and $386.0 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. Additionally, we recorded $1.6 billion attributed to the Meridian acquisition that has not been assigned to a reporting unit as of December 31, 2018. The increases in consolidated goodwill from December 31, 2017 primarily resulted from our acquisition Meridian during 2018. Refer to Note 3 - Acquisitions , included in the consolidated financial statements in this 2018 Form 10-K for additional discussion. We test goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level at least annually, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that it would be more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is below its carrying value. Such events or circumstances could include a significant adverse change in business climate, an adverse action or assessment by a regulator, unanticipated competition and the testing for recoverability of a significant asset group within a reporting unit, among others. To determine whether goodwill is impaired, we compare an estimate of the fair value of the applicable reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. If the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value, we compare the implied fair value of the applicable goodwill to its carrying value to measure the amount of goodwill impairment, if any. We perform our annual goodwill impairment test based on our financial position and results of operations as of June 30 of each year, which generally coincides with the finalization of federal and state contract negotiations and our initial budgeting and planning process. The annual impairment tests are based on an evaluation of estimated future discounted cash flows. The estimated discounted cash flows are based on the best information available to us at the time, including supportable assumptions and projections we believe are reasonable. Our discounted cash flow estimates use discount rates that correspond to a weighted-average cost of capital consistent with a market-participant view. The discount rates are consistent with those used for investment decisions and take into account the operating plans and strategies of our operating segments. Certain other key assumptions utilized, including changes in membership, premium, health care costs, operating expenses, fees, assessments and taxes and effective tax rates, are based on estimates consistent with those utilized in our annual budgeting and planning process that we believe are reasonable. However, if we do not achieve the results reflected in the assumptions and estimates, our goodwill impairment evaluations could be adversely affected, and we may impair a portion of our goodwill, which would adversely affect our operating results in the period of impairment. Impairments, if any, would be classified as an operating expense. Based on the results of our annual impairment testing in 2018 , we determined that the fair value of each reporting unit substantially exceeded its carrying value and no further goodwill impairment assessment was necessary. Other intangible assets resulting from our acquisitions generally include provider networks, broker networks, trademarks, state contracts, non-compete agreements, licenses and permits. We amortize other intangible assets over their estimated useful lives ranging from approximately one to 15 years . These assets are allocated to reporting units for impairment testing purposes. We review our other intangible assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances occur, which may potentially affect the estimated useful life or recoverability of the remaining balances of our intangible assets. Such events and changes in circumstances would include significant changes in membership, state funding, federal and state government contracts and provider networks. Upon such an occurrence, recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by comparing the carrying amount of an asset to current forecasts of undiscounted future net cash flows expected to be generated by the assets. Identifiable cash flows are measured at the lowest level for which they are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets and liabilities. If these assets are determined to be impaired, the amount of impairment recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds their fair value. During 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 , no events or circumstances have occurred, which may potentially affect the estimated useful life or recoverability of the remaining balances of our other intangible assets. Accordingly, there were no impairment losses recognized during these periods. |
| Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses | Accounts payable and accrued expenses are primarily comprised of liabilities relating to pharmacy benefit administration, accrued salaries and incentive compensation, consulting contract obligations, and other miscellaneous current liabilities. |
