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Elevance Health (ELV) keeps 2026 outlook despite potential Medicare sanctions

Filing Impact
(High)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Elevance Health, Inc. is reaffirming its outlook for 2026 despite potential Medicare sanctions. Company officers plan to tell investors that adjusted shareholders’ earnings for full year 2026 are expected to be at least $25.50 per diluted share. They are also reaffirming a 2026 benefit expense ratio guidance of 90.2% plus or minus 50 basis points, which reflects expected medical costs as a share of premium revenue.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has notified the company of its intent to impose intermediate sanctions on certain Medicare Advantage-Prescription Drug plans effective March 31, 2026, unless identified issues are resolved. The reaffirmed earnings and benefit expense ratio guidance already incorporates the potential impact of these sanctions, if imposed. Elevance Health states it cannot reasonably estimate any potential financial payments to resolve this matter, so it is not providing a reconciliation from adjusted earnings per diluted share to the comparable GAAP measure.

Positive

  • None.

Negative

  • None.

Insights

Guidance is reaffirmed, but Medicare sanctions remain a key risk factor.

Elevance Health reiterates full-year $25.50 or more in adjusted shareholders’ earnings per diluted share for 2026, and a benefit expense ratio of 90.2% plus or minus 50 basis points. These metrics summarize expected profitability and medical cost intensity for the year.

A notable detail is that this guidance already includes the potential impact of intermediate sanctions from CMS on Medicare Advantage-Prescription Drug plans effective March 31, 2026, if they take effect. This suggests the company is planning around reduced enrollment or restricted marketing activity in that segment.

The company also notes it cannot reconcile adjusted earnings per diluted share to GAAP earnings because any potential financial payments to resolve the CMS matter cannot be reasonably estimated. Future disclosures in company filings may provide more clarity once any resolution terms, if applicable, are known.

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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
___________________________________
FORM 8-K
___________________________________
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

March 10, 2026

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
___________________________________
Elevance Health, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
___________________________________

Indiana
001-16751
35-2145715
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(Commission File Number)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
220 Virginia Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
(833) 401-1577
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
________________
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, Par Value $0.01
ELV
NYSE
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined Rule 405 of the Securities Act (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company    
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.



Item 7.01 - Regulation FD Disclosure

Officers of Elevance Health, Inc. (the “Company”) expect to speak with investors and analysts over the next week. During these meetings, Company officers will reaffirm adjusted shareholders’ earnings for full year 2026 to be at least $25.50 per diluted share. The Company also will reaffirm its 2026 benefit expense ratio guidance of 90.2% plus or minus 50 basis points.

As reported in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on March 2, 2026, the Company was notified by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) on February 27, 2026 of its intent to impose intermediate sanctions suspending enrollment of Medicare beneficiaries into the Company’s Medicare Advantage-Prescription Drug plans and suspending certain communication activities to Medicare beneficiaries effective as of March 31, 2026 (the “Sanctions”), unless CMS determines the issues identified have been satisfactorily addressed.

The Company’s adjusted shareholders’ earnings and benefit expense ratio guidance set forth above includes the impact of the Sanctions, if imposed. At this time, the Company is unable to provide a reconciliation of its guidance for adjusted shareholders’ earnings per diluted share for full year 2026 to shareholders’ earnings per diluted share for full year 2026, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, without unreasonable effort because the Company cannot reasonably estimate the impact of any potential financial payments to resolve this matter on its GAAP shareholders’ earnings per diluted share for full year 2026.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS    

This document contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements, including those regarding the resolution of the matters raised by CMS and timing thereof, reflect our views about future events and financial performance and are generally not historical facts. Words such as “expect,” “feel,” “believe,” “will,” “may,” “should,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “project,” “forecast,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include, but are not limited to: financial projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions; statements regarding plans, objectives and expectations with respect to future operations, products and services; and statements regarding future performance. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond our control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date hereof. You are also urged to carefully review and consider the various risks and other disclosures discussed in our reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, which attempt to advise interested parties of the factors that affect our business. Except to the extent required by law, we do not update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date hereof. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: trends in healthcare costs and utilization rates; reduced enrollment; our ability to secure and implement sufficient premium rates; the impact of large scale medical emergencies, such as public health epidemics and pandemics, and other catastrophes; the impact of new or changes in existing federal, state and international laws or regulations, including laws and regulations impacting healthcare, insurance, pharmacy services and other diversified products and services, or their enforcement or application; the impact of cyber-attacks or other privacy or data security incidents or our failure to comply with any privacy, data or security laws or regulations, including any investigations, claims or litigation related thereto; failure to effectively maintain and modernize our information systems; failure of our information systems or technology, including artificial intelligence, to operate as intended; failure to effectively maintain the availability and integrity



of our data; changes in economic and market conditions, as well as regulations that may negatively affect our liquidity and investment portfolios; competitive pressures and our ability to adapt to changes in the industry and develop and implement strategic growth opportunities; risks and uncertainties regarding Medicare and Medicaid programs, including those related to non-compliance with the complex regulations imposed thereon; our ability to maintain and achieve improvement in Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Star Ratings and other quality scores and funding risks with respect to revenue received from participation therein; a negative change in our healthcare product mix; costs and other liabilities associated with litigation, government investigations, audits or reviews; our ability to contract with providers on cost-effective and competitive terms; risks associated with providing healthcare, pharmacy and other diversified products and services, including medical malpractice or professional liability claims and non-compliance by any party with the pharmacy services agreement between us and CaremarkPCS Health, L.L.C.; the effects of any negative publicity or sentiment related to the health benefits industry in general or us in particular; risks associated with mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic alliances; possible impairment of the value of our intangible assets if future results do not adequately support goodwill and other intangible assets; possible restrictions in the payment of dividends from our subsidiaries and increases in required minimum levels of capital; our ability to repurchase shares of our common stock and pay dividends on our common stock due to the adequacy of our cash flow and earnings and other considerations; the potential negative effect from our substantial amount of outstanding indebtedness and the risk that increased interest rates or market volatility could impact our access to or further increase the cost of financing; a downgrade in our financial strength ratings; events that may negatively affect our licenses with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association; intense competition to attract and retain employees; risks associated with our international operations; and various laws and provisions in our governing documents that may prevent or discourage takeovers and business combinations.




SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized on this 10th day of March, 2026.



ELEVANCE HEALTH, INC.
By:
/s/ Kathleen S. Kiefer
Name:
Kathleen S. Kiefer
Title:
Chief Governance Officer and Corporate Secretary

FAQ

What 2026 earnings guidance did Elevance Health (ELV) reaffirm?

Elevance Health reaffirmed that adjusted shareholders’ earnings for full year 2026 are expected to be at least $25.50 per diluted share. This non-GAAP measure reflects management’s view of underlying performance, excluding certain items they do not consider part of core operations.

What benefit expense ratio guidance did Elevance Health (ELV) provide for 2026?

Elevance Health reaffirmed a 2026 benefit expense ratio guidance of 90.2% plus or minus 50 basis points. This ratio represents anticipated medical and related benefit costs as a percentage of premium revenue, a key indicator of how efficiently the company manages healthcare spending.

How do potential CMS sanctions affect Elevance Health’s 2026 guidance?

The company stated that its 2026 adjusted shareholders’ earnings and benefit expense ratio guidance already include the impact of the CMS sanctions, if imposed. This means the outlook factors in potential enrollment suspensions and communication limits for certain Medicare Advantage-Prescription Drug plans.

Why can’t Elevance Health reconcile adjusted EPS guidance to GAAP EPS for 2026?

Elevance Health explained it is unable to provide a reconciliation from adjusted shareholders’ earnings per diluted share to GAAP shareholders’ earnings per diluted share for 2026. It cannot reasonably estimate any potential financial payments to resolve the CMS matter that would affect the GAAP figure.

What regulatory action did CMS notify Elevance Health about regarding Medicare plans?

CMS notified Elevance Health of its intent to impose intermediate sanctions on certain Medicare Advantage-Prescription Drug plans, effective March 31, 2026, unless identified issues are satisfactorily addressed. The sanctions would suspend new enrollments and certain communications to Medicare beneficiaries.

Does the Elevance Health 8-K discuss risks that could affect future performance?

Yes. The company highlights numerous risks, including healthcare cost trends, regulatory changes, Medicare and Medicaid program compliance, cyber and data security incidents, litigation exposure, competition, indebtedness, and economic conditions. These factors could cause actual results to differ from its forward-looking statements.

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Elevance Health Inc

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