Elevance Health Reports Second Quarter 2026 Results; Raises Full-Year Guidance

• 2Q 2026 operating revenue of $49.8 billion, up 0.8% from 2Q 2025
• 2Q 2026 diluted EPS¹ of $6.71 and adjusted diluted EPS² of $7.45; results were supported by favorable benefit expense performance and an approximately $0.80 per share net below-the-line benefit
• FY 2026 diluted EPS¹ guidance raised to at least $20.10; adjusted diluted EPS² guidance raised to at least $27.00, reflecting strong second quarter operating results
• Accelerating targeted investments in capabilities that lower healthcare costs, simplify the member and provider experience, and strengthen Carelon's integrated solutions
• FY 2026 operating cash flow guidance raised to at least $6.0 billion

INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE: ELV) reported second quarter 2026 results ahead of expectations.

"Our second quarter results exceeded our outlook, supported by disciplined execution and improved operating performance across our diversified portfolio. We are raising our 2026 adjusted EPS guidance to at least $27.00 and accelerating targeted investments in the capabilities that matter most: medical cost management, member experience, provider connectivity, operating efficiency, and Carelon’s value-based solutions. These actions will strengthen how we operate, improve consistency over time, and reinforce our confidence in returning to at least 12% adjusted EPS growth in 2027 off our 2026 earnings baseline.”

Gail K. Boudreaux
President and Chief Executive Officer

Operating revenue was $49.8 billion in the second quarter of 2026, an increase of $0.4 billion compared to the prior year quarter. This was driven by higher premium yields in our Health Benefits segment and growth in CarelonRx product revenue, partially offset by anticipated declines in our Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and Employer Group risk membership.

The benefit expense ratio of 89.7 percent increased 80 basis points year over year, driven by expected elevated medical cost trend in our Government businesses, partially offset by improved performance in Individual ACA compared to the prior year.

Days in Claims Payable stood at 45.4 days as of June 30, 2026, a decrease of 1.2 days from March 31, 2026 and an increase of 2.9 days year over year.

The operating expense ratio was 11.1 percent. The adjusted operating expense ratio was 11.0 percent, an increase of 100 basis points, driven primarily by targeted investments in our workforce and in capabilities that support our long-term operating model. We continue to manage expenses thoughtfully while investing in the priorities that strengthen enterprise performance over time.

Cash Flow & Balance Sheet

Operating cash flow of $1.9 billion in the quarter reflects timing of a state Medicaid pass-through payment and underlying business strength. As of June 30, 2026, cash and investments at the parent company totaled approximately $2.1 billion.

During the second quarter of 2026, the Company repurchased 0.7 million shares of its common stock for $234 million, at a weighted average price of $344.62, and paid a quarterly dividend of $1.72 per share, representing a distribution of cash totaling $373 million. As of June 30, 2026, the Company had approximately $5.3 billion of Board approved share repurchase authorization remaining.

Health Benefits is comprised of Individual, Employer Group risk-based, Employer Group fee-based, BlueCard^®, Medicare, Medicaid, and Federal Employee Program businesses.

Health Benefits segment operating revenue was $42.7 billion in the second quarter of 2026, an increase of $1.1 billion, or 3 percent compared to the prior year quarter, driven primarily by higher premium yields, partially offset by expected declines in our Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and Employer Group risk membership.

Operating gain was $0.9 billion, a decrease year over year, reflecting higher benefit expense and targeted investments to support our workforce and strengthen enterprise performance, partially offset by operating revenue growth.

Medical membership of approximately 44.9 million as of June 30, 2026 decreased by 469 thousand sequentially, driven by a known commercial fee-based customer transition and anticipated attrition in our Individual ACA and Medicaid membership.

Carelon is comprised of CarelonRx and Carelon Services.

Operating revenue for Carelon was $19.2 billion in the second quarter of 2026, an increase of $1.1 billion, or 6 percent compared to the prior year quarter. Growth was driven by the scaling of Carelon Services risk-based solutions and CarelonRx product revenue.

Operating gain for Carelon totaled $0.9 billion, an increase of 1 percent year over year, reflecting improved profitability in our specialty pharmacy.

Quarterly Dividend

On July 14, 2026, the Audit Committee of the Company's Board of Directors declared a third quarter 2026 dividend to shareholders of $1.72 per share. The third quarter dividend is payable on September 25, 2026, to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 10, 2026.

About Elevance Health

Elevance Health is a lifetime, trusted health partner whose purpose is to improve the health of humanity. The company supports consumers, families, and communities across the entire healthcare journey – connecting them to the care, support, and resources they need to lead better lives. Elevance Health’s companies serve approximately 104 million consumers through a diverse portfolio of industry-leading medical, pharmacy, behavioral, clinical, home health, and complex care solutions. For more information, please visit www.elevancehealth.com or follow us @ElevanceHealth on X and Elevance Health on LinkedIn.

Conference Call and Webcast

Management will host a conference call and webcast today at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (“EDT”) to discuss the company’s second quarter results and outlook. The conference call should be accessed at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call with the following numbers:

The access code for today's conference call is 3972058. There is no access code for the replay. The replay will be available from 11:30 a.m. EDT today, until the end of the day on August 14, 2026. The call will also be available through a live webcast at www.elevancehealth.com under the “Investors” link. A webcast replay will be available following the call.

Basis of Presentation

1. Operating revenue and operating gain/loss are the key measures used by management to evaluate performance in each of its reporting segments, allocate resources, set incentive compensation targets and to forecast future operating performance. Operating gain/loss is calculated as total operating revenue less benefit expense, cost of products sold and operating expense. It does not include net investment income, net gains/losses on financial instruments, interest expense, amortization of other intangible assets, gains/losses on extinguishment of debt or income taxes, as these items are managed in a corporate shared service environment and are not the responsibility of operating segment management. Refer to the GAAP reconciliation tables.
2. Operating margin is defined as operating gain divided by operating revenue.

Elevance Health
Earnings Release Financial Schedules and Supplementary Information
Quarter & Year-to-Date Ended June 30, 2026

• Membership and Other Metrics
• Quarterly & Year-to-Date Consolidated Statements of Income
• Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
• Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
• Supplemental Financial Information - Reportable Segments & Health Benefits Revenue Details
• Supplemental Financial Information - Reconciliation of Medical Claims Payable
• Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

REPORTABLE SEGMENTS

Elevance Health has four reportable segments: Health Benefits (comprised of Individual, Employer Group risk-based, Employer Group fee-based, BlueCard^®, Medicare, Medicaid, and Federal Employee Program businesses); CarelonRx; Carelon Services; and Corporate & Other (comprised of businesses that do not individually meet the quantitative thresholds for an operating division as well as corporate expenses not allocated to our other reportable segments).

Elevance Health
GAAP Reconciliation
(Unaudited)

This document references non-GAAP measures, including “Adjusted Diluted EPS,” “Adjusted Operating Expense Ratio,” “Adjusted Operating Gain,” “Adjusted Operating Margin,” “Adjusted Shareholders’ Net Income,” and “Adjusted Operating Expense”. These non-GAAP measures are intended to aid investors when comparing Elevance Health’s financial results among periods and are not intended to be alternatives to any measure calculated in accordance with GAAP. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable measures calculated in accordance with GAAP are available below. In addition to these non-GAAP measures, references are made to the measures “Operating Revenue,” “Operating Gain/Loss,” and “Operating Margin”. Operating revenue and operating gain/loss are the key measures used by management to evaluate performance in each of its reportable segments, allocate resources, set incentive compensation targets and to forecast future operating performance. Operating gain/loss is calculated as total operating revenue less benefit expense, cost of products sold and operating expense. It does not include net investment income, net gains/losses on financial instruments, interest expense, amortization of other intangible assets and gains/losses on extinguishment of debt or income taxes, as these items are managed in a corporate shared service environment and are not the responsibility of operating segment management. Each of these measures is provided to further aid investors in understanding and analyzing Elevance Health’s operating and financial results. A reconciliation of Operating Revenue to Total Revenue is set forth in the Consolidated Statements of Income herein. A reconciliation of reportable segments operating gain to income before income tax expense is provided below. Prior amounts may be grouped differently to conform to the current presentation. Net adjustment items per share may not sum due to rounding.