New enrollments push Anthem earnings higher

Anthem delivered a better-than-expected first quarter and pushed its 2021 forecast past expectations as enrollment growth lifted the health insurer.

A 20% jump in membership for state and federally funded Medicaid plans that Anthem manages spurred a 3% overall enrollment gain compared to last year’s opening quarter.

The Blue Cross-blue Shield insurer has 43.5 million customers and is the nation’s second-largest health insurer, trailing only Unitedhealthcare.

Anthem said Wednesday it has about 9.2 million Medicaid customers, up from 7.6 million last year. Growth was helped by a temporary suspension during the COVID-19 pandemic of state requirements that Medicaid customers certify they are still eligible to receive the benefits.

Indianapolis-based Anthem covers people in several states, including big markets like New York and California.