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ITEM 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this filing. The discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including those set forth under Part I, Item 1A."Risk Factors" of this Form 10-K. The following discussion and analysis does not include certain items related to the year ended December 31, 2022, including year-to-year comparisons between the year ended December 31, 2023 and the year ended December 31, 2022. For a comparison of our results of operations for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, see Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 20, 2024.

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

We are a leading healthcare enterprise that is committed to helping people live healthier lives. The Company takes a local approach – with local brands and local teams – to provide fully integrated, high-quality and cost-effective services to government-sponsored and commercial healthcare programs, focusing on under-insured and uninsured individuals. Centene offers affordable and high-quality products to more than 1 in 15 individuals across the nation, including Medicaid and Medicare members (including Medicare Prescription Drug Plans) as well as individuals and families served by the Health Insurance Marketplace.

We provide access to high-quality healthcare, innovative programs and a wide range of health solutions that help families and individuals get well, stay well and be well. Our uniquely local approach – with local brands and local teams who live in, care about and directly influence the communities they serve – is a key differentiator in our ability to provide access to quality care to our members. Centene treats the whole person, an approach that is delivered locally and backed by the scale of Centene's expertise, data and resources. Through this approach and our commitment to sustainable partnerships, we work with local community organizations to realize our mission of transforming the health of the communities we serve, one person at a time.

Our record of organic growth and strategic acquisitions have given us the size, scale and privilege of providing local high-quality and affordable health care to more than 28.6 million Americans. As of December 31, 2024, we were the largest Medicaid health insurer in the country, serving more than 13 million Medicaid recipients in 30 states. We were the largest Marketplace carrier, serving 4.4 million members across 29 states, served 1.1 million Medicare Advantage members across 37 states and were the largest stand-alone Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) provider serving 6.9 million members in 50 states and the District of Columbia. Consistent with our strategy, we have reduced our Medicare Advantage footprint to 32 states as of January 1, 2025.

General

Our results of operations depend on our ability to manage expenses associated with health benefits (including estimated costs incurred) and selling, general and administrative (SG&A) costs. We measure operating performance based upon two key ratios. The health benefits ratio (HBR) represents medical costs as a percentage of premium revenues, excluding premium tax revenues that are separately billed, and reflects the direct relationship between the premiums received and the medical services provided. The SG&A expense ratio represents SG&A costs as a percentage of premium and service revenues, excluding premium taxes separately billed.

Divestitures

In November 2022, we divested our ownership stakes in our Spanish and Central European businesses and as a result recorded an impairment charge of $163 million, or $140 million after-tax. During 2023, we recognized an additional loss on sale of $13 million, or $10 million after-tax.

In December 2022, we completed the divestiture of Magellan Rx for $1.3 billion and recognized a gain of $269 million, or $99 million after-tax. During 2023, we recorded a reduction to the previously reported gain of $22 million, or $10 million after-tax, due to the finalization of working capital adjustments.

In January 2023, we sold Magellan Specialty Health for $646 million in cash and stock, including an estimated working capital adjustment, and recognized a gain of $79 million, or $63 million after-tax. During 2024, we recorded an additional gain on sale of $83 million for achievement of contingent consideration related to the sale and finalization of working capital adjustments.

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In January 2023, we also completed the divestitures of Centurion and HealthSmart and recorded impairments of $259 million ($181 million after-tax) and $36 million ($27 million after-tax), respectively, in 2022. During 2023, we recognized a gain of $15 million, or $10 million after-tax, on the divestiture of the Centurion business reflecting additional proceeds for contingent consideration, partially offset by net working capital adjustments.

In June 2023, we completed the divestiture of our majority stake in Apixio and recognized a gain of $93 million, or $67 million after-tax.

In December 2023, we completed the divestiture of Operose Health Group (Operose Health) and recognized an impairment of $140 million, or $128 million after-tax.

In January 2024, we completed the divestiture of Circle Health Group (Circle Health) for $931 million. Upon closing the divestiture, we settled the foreign currency swap associated with the divestiture and recorded a corresponding gain of $20 million.

In October 2024, we completed the divestiture of Collaborative Health Systems (CHS) and recognized a pre-tax gain of $17 million, or $13 million after-tax.

The above-noted divestitures are drivers of certain year-over-year variances discussed throughout this section.

Regulatory Trends and Uncertainties

The United States government, policymakers and healthcare experts continue to discuss and debate various elements of the United States healthcare model. We remain focused on the promise of delivering access to high-quality, affordable healthcare to all of our members and believe we are well positioned to meet the needs of the changing healthcare landscape.

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), enacted in March 2021, initially enhanced eligibility for the premium tax credit for enrollees in the Health Insurance Marketplace. The enhanced eligibility extended by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), enacted in August 2022, expires at the end of 2025. We continue to advocate for legislation and regulations aimed at leveraging Medicaid and the Health Insurance Marketplace to maintain health insurance coverage and affordability for consumers.

The IRA significantly changes Medicare PDPs in 2025, most notably by eliminating the coverage gap and capping members' annual out-of-pocket cost at $2,000 in order to provide more predictable and affordable prescription drug coverage for Medicare beneficiaries. The IRA changes effective for 2025 result in a meaningful shift in cost-sharing responsibilities between members, drug companies, CMS, and PDPs and will result in a significant increase in our premiums in consideration for our PDPs responsibility for a larger portion of total Part D benefit costs.

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted our business as it relates to Medicaid eligibility changes. From the onset of the public health emergency (PHE) through March 2023, our Medicaid membership increased by 3.6 million members (excluding new states North Carolina and Delaware and various state product expansions or managed care organization changes). Since March 31, 2023, redeterminations are the primary driver of our Medicaid membership decline. While some states may still be concluding the redetermination process for certain populations of members, we anticipate that any remaining reductions will be limited as the majority of states have substantially completed their unwinding processes as of December 2024. We continue to work with our state partners to match rates to acuity post-redeterminations.

In addition, newly finalized Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regulations will require beneficiaries dually enrolled in Medicare and in a Medicaid Managed Care Plan to receive integrated care through the Medicaid company's Medicare Advantage Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) beginning in 2030, with certain restrictions beginning in 2027. However, some states have already moved or are planning to exclusively align dual-eligible enrollment under an aligned D-SNP before this timeframe. We believe we are positioned well given our overlapping Medicaid and Medicare Advantage footprints and are committed to navigating evolving regulations.

We also closely monitor state legislation across our markets and are advocating for and seeing adoption of coverage expansions for Medicaid populations (e.g., North Carolina), postpartum (now in effect for 48 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands), foster care children, among others, as well as mitigating adverse legislation addressing pharmacy, prior authorization and other issues. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 outlined key coverage expansion provisions, which went into effect in January 2024, requiring states to provide 12 months of continuous coverage for children under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

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We have four decades of experience, spanning seven presidents from both sides of the aisle, in delivering high-quality healthcare services on behalf of states and the federal government to under-insured and uninsured families, commercial organizations. This expertise has allowed us to deliver cost-effective services to our government partners and our members. With trends in the personalization of healthcare technology, we continue the use of data and analytics to improve the provider and member experience. We continue to believe we have both the capacity and capability to successfully navigate industry changes to the benefit of our members, customers, providers and shareholders.

For additional information regarding regulatory trends and uncertainties, see Part I, Item 1 "Business - Regulation" and Item 1A, "Risk Factors."

2024 Highlights

Our financial performance for 2024 is summarized as follows:

•Year-end membership of 28.6 million, an increase of 1.1 million members, or 4% over 2023.

•Total revenues of $163.1 billion, representing 6% growth year-over-year.

•Premium and service revenues of $145.5 billion, representing 4% growth year-over-year.

•HBR of 88.3% for 2024, compared to 87.7% for 2023.

•SG&A expense ratio of 8.5% for 2024, compared to 9.0% for 2023.

•Adjusted SG&A expense ratio of 8.5% for 2024, compared to 8.9% for 2023.

•Diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $6.31 for 2024, compared to $4.95 for 2023.

•Adjusted diluted EPS of $7.17 for 2024, compared to $6.68 for 2023, representing 7% growth year-over-year.

•Operating cash flows of $154 million for 2024, compared to $8.1 billion for 2023.

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A reconciliation from GAAP diluted EPS to Adjusted Diluted EPS is highlighted below, and additional detail is provided under the heading "Non-GAAP Financial Presentation":

We reference adjusted SG&A expense ratio defined as adjusted SG&A expenses, which excludes acquisition and divestiture related expenses and other items, divided by premium and service revenues. We also reference effective tax rate on adjusted earnings, defined as GAAP income tax expense (benefit) excluding the income tax effects of adjustments to net earnings divided by adjusted earnings (loss) before income tax expense.

Year Ended December 31,

GAAP diluted EPS attributable to Centene $ 6.31 $ 4.95

Amortization of acquired intangible assets 1.32 1.32

Acquisition and divestiture related expenses 0.16 0.13

Income tax effects of adjustments (2) (0.40) (0.57)

Adjusted diluted EPS $ 7.17 $ 6.68

(1) Other adjustments include the following pre-tax items:

2024:

(a) net gain on the previously reported divestiture of Magellan Specialty Health due to the achievement of contingent consideration and finalization of working capital adjustments of $83 million, or $0.16 per share ($0.12 after-tax), net gain on the sale of property of $24 million, or $0.04 per share ($0.03 after-tax), gain on the previously reported divestiture of Circle Health of $20 million, or $0.04 per share ($0.12 after-tax), gain on the sale of CHS of $17 million, or $0.03 per share ($0.02 after-tax), Health Net Federal Services asset impairment due to the 2024 final ruling on the TRICARE Managed Care Support Contract of $14 million, or $0.03 per share ($0.02 after-tax), severance costs due to a restructuring of $13 million, or $0.02 per share ($0.01 after-tax), an additional loss on the divestiture of our Spanish and Central European businesses of $7 million, or $0.01 per share ($0.01 after-tax) and gain on the previously reported divestiture of HealthSmart due to the finalization of working capital adjustments of $7 million, or $0.01 per share ($0.01 after-tax).

2023:

(b) Circle Health impairment of $292 million, or $0.53 per share ($0.47 after-tax), Operose Health impairment of $140 million, or $0.26 per share ($0.24 after-tax), real estate impairments of $105 million, or $0.19 per share ($0.16 after-tax), gain on the sale of Apixio of $93 million, or $0.17 per share ($0.12 after-tax), severance costs due to a restructuring of $79 million, or $0.15 per share ($0.11 after-tax), gain on the sale of Magellan Specialty Health of $79 million, or $0.14 per share ($0.11 after-tax), a reduction to the previously reported gain on the sale of Magellan Rx of $22 million, or $0.04 per share ($0.02 after-tax), gain on the previously reported divestiture of Centurion of $15 million, or $0.03 per share ($0.02 after-tax) and an additional loss on the divestiture of our Spanish and Central European businesses of $13 million, or $0.02 per share ($0.01 after-tax).

(2) The income tax effects of adjustments are based on the effective income tax rates applicable to each adjustment. In addition, the year ended December 31, 2024, includes a tax benefit of $1 million, or $0.00 per share, related to tax adjustments on previously reported divestitures. The year ended December 31, 2023 includes a one-time income tax benefit of $69 million, or $0.13 per share, resulting from the distribution of long-term stock awards to the estate of the Company's former CEO and tax expense of $3 million, or $0.01 per share, related to tax adjustments on previously reported divestitures.

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Current and Future Operating Drivers

The following items contributed to our 2024 results of operations as compared to the previous year:

Medicaid

•In October 2024, our subsidiary, Meridian Health Plan of Michigan, commenced the contract awarded by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to continue serving as a Medicaid health plan for the Comprehensive Health Care Program. The contract has a five-year term, with three optional one-year extensions, for a total of eight possible contract years.

•In September 2024, our subsidiary, Superior HealthPlan (Superior), commenced the contract awarded by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to continue to provide healthcare coverage to the Aged, Blind or Disabled (ABD) population in the state's STAR+PLUS program. The contract has a six-year term with a maximum of three additional two-year extensions.

•In September 2024, our subsidiary, NH Healthy Families, commenced the contract awarded by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services to continue providing physical health, behavioral health and pharmacy services for New Hampshire's Medicaid managed care program, known as Medicaid Care Management. The contract has a five-year term.

•In July 2024, our subsidiaries, Carolina Complete Health and WellCare of North Carolina, began coordinating physical and other health services with Local Management Entities/Managed Care Organizations under the state's new Tailored Plan program. The Tailored Plans are integrated health plans designed for individuals with significant behavioral health needs or intellectual/developmental disabilities.

•In June 2024, our subsidiary, Western Sky Community Care, concluded serving members upon the expiration of its New Mexico Medicaid managed care contract.

•In April 2024, our subsidiary, Oklahoma Complete Health, commenced the statewide contracts to provide managed care for the SoonerSelect and SoonerSelect Children's Specialty Plan programs. The new contracts have a one-year term with five, one-year renewal options.

•In January 2024, our subsidiary, Nebraska Total Care, commenced the statewide Medicaid managed care contract to continue serving the state's Medicaid Managed Care Program, known as Heritage Health. The initial contract term is five years and includes the option for two subsequent, one-year renewals, for a potential total of seven years.

•In January 2024, our California health plan commenced direct Medicaid contracts in 10 counties (Los Angeles, Sacramento, Amador, Calaveras, Inyo, Mono, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tulare and Tuolumne). In Los Angeles, a portion of the membership is subcontracted. Prior to January 2024, our California health plan previously served the state's Medicaid Managed Care population with contracts in 13 counties, including San Diego.

•In December 2023, our subsidiaries, Carolina Complete Health and WellCare of North Carolina, began providing coverage under North Carolina's new Medicaid Expansion program.

•In September 2023, our subsidiary, Superior, commenced a new six-year contract awarded by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to continue providing youth in foster care with healthcare coverage through the STAR Health Medicaid program. Superior has been the sole provider of STAR Health coverage since the program launched in 2008.

•In April 2023, eligibility redeterminations related to the PHE began. States have substantially completed their unwinding processes as of December 2024. We continue to work with our state partners to match rates to acuity post-redeterminations.

•In April 2023, the state of New York removed pharmacy services for certain of our managed care contracts in connection with the state's transition of pharmacy services to Medicaid fee-for-service.

•In February 2023, our subsidiary, Buckeye Health Plan, commenced the Medicaid contract awarded by the Ohio Department of Medicaid to continue providing members with quality healthcare, coordinated services and benefits.

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Medicare

•Given our strong bid positioning, Medicare PDP membership increased 50% year-over-year.

•Consistent with our strategic positioning and bid strategy, Medicare Advantage membership declined 13% year-over-year.

•The decrease in our Star quality ratings in the 2023 rating year, which CMS published in October 2022, adversely impacted our 2024 Medicare revenue. The decrease in Star quality ratings was driven by the expiration of certain disaster relief provisions as well as deterioration in select metrics. As a result of this impact, we recorded a premium deficiency reserve of $250 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. We anticipate that the 2025 Plan year will operate at a loss driven primarily by Star ratings; accordingly, we recorded a premium deficiency reserve of $92 million in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Commercial

•In 2024, our Health Insurance Marketplace product, Ambetter Health expanded into Delaware. In total, the Marketplace plan was available across 29 states. Additionally, Marketplace membership increased 12% year-over-year due to the expanded footprint, strong product positioning and open enrollment results, as well as overall market growth.

Other

•In December 2024, Health Net Federal Services concluded serving members upon the expiration of its TRICARE Managed Care Support Contract.

•In October 2024, we completed the sale of CHS, a management services organization.

•In July 2024, our subsidiary, Magellan Health, commenced the Idaho Behavioral Health Plan contract.

•In December 2023 and January 2024, we completed the divestitures of Operose Health and Circle Health, respectively.

•In June 2023, we completed the divestiture of Apixio. We maintain a close relationship with, and a minority interest in, the business.

•In January 2023, we completed the divestitures of Magellan Specialty Health, Centurion and HealthSmart.

The benefits of successful execution of our value creation initiatives have impacted our current results of operations and will continue to impact future results of operations, including the implementation of our new third-party pharmacy benefits management (PBM) contract, which commenced in January 2024.

We expect the following items to impact our future results of operations, subject to the resolution of various third-party protests within the Medicaid segment:

Medicaid

•In February 2025, our subsidiary, Sunshine Health, commenced the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care program, including integrated Managed Medical Assistance, Long-Term Care services, Serious Mental Illness, Child Welfare and HIV specialty products. The contract has a six-year term.

•In January 2025, our subsidiary, Sunflower Health Plan, commenced the contract to continue providing managed health care services through KanCare, the State of Kansas' Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program. The contract has a three-year term, with two optional one-year extensions, for a total of five possible contract years.

•In November 2024, our subsidiary, Buckeye Health Plan, was selected by the Ohio Department of Medicaid to continue providing Medicare and Medicaid services for dually eligible individuals through a Fully Integrated Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (FIDE SNP). The three-year contract is expected to commence in January 2026.

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•In September 2024, our subsidiary, Health Net Community Solutions, was selected by the California Department of Health Care Services to provide managed dental health care services to beneficiaries of Medi-Cal, the State's Medicaid program, in Los Angeles and Sacramento counties. The new 54-month contract is expected to commence in July 2025.

•In September 2024, our subsidiary, Iowa Total Care, was selected by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services to continue providing Medicaid managed care services under the Iowa Health Link program. The contract is expected to begin in July 2025 and has a four-year term, with an optional two-year extension, for a total of six possible contract years.

•In August 2024, our subsidiary, PA Health and Wellness, was selected by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services to continue to administer Pennsylvania's Community HealthChoices program, the Medicaid managed care program that covers adults who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid or who qualify to receive Medicaid long-term services and supports due to a need for the level of care provided in a nursing facility. The contract is expected to begin in January 2026 and has a five-year term, with three optional one-year extensions, for a total of eight possible contract years.

•In December 2023, our subsidiary, Arizona Complete Health, was selected by the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System – Arizona's single state Medicaid agency – to provide managed care for the Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS). The program supports Arizonans who are elderly and/or have a physical disability (E/PD) with physical and behavioral healthcare, as well as provides pharmacy benefits and home and community-based services. The new ALTCS-E/PD contract is expected to begin in October 2025 and has a three-year term, with four optional one-year extensions, for a total of seven possible contract years.

•In August 2022, our subsidiary, Magnolia Health Plan (Magnolia), was awarded the Mississippi Division of Medicaid contract. Under the new contract, Magnolia will continue serving the state's Coordinated Care Organization Program, which will consist of the Mississippi Coordinated Access Network and the Mississippi CHIP. The contract is expected to begin in July 2025 and has a four-year term, with two optional one-year extensions, for a total of six possible contract years.

Medicare

•In 2025, Wellcare is offering Medicare Advantage plans in 32 states, including its newest state, Iowa. Wellcare discontinued offering Medicare Advantage products in Alabama, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Rhode Island and Vermont in 2025.

•In October 2024, CMS issued 2025 Medicare Advantage Star Ratings on the Medicare Plan Finder. Based on the data as well as our successful appeal of the initial scoring of our TTY (Text-to-Voice teletypewriter services for the hearing impaired), we had approximately 55% of our Medicare Advantage membership enrolled in plans rated 3.5 stars or higher – compared to approximately 23% in the prior year. This represents meaningful progress despite higher than industry-anticipated cut point changes.

•In October 2024, our subsidiary, Meridian Health Plan of Michigan, was selected by the MDHHS to provide highly integrated Medicare and Medicaid services for dually eligible Michiganders through a Highly Integrated Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan. The plan is expected to launch on January 1, 2026 and has a seven-year term, with three optional one-year extensions, for a total of 10 possible contract years.

Commercial

•In 2025, our Health Insurance Marketplace product, Ambetter Health, expanded its geographic footprint, adding 60 new counties across 10 states, which includes expansion into Iowa.

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MEMBERSHIP

From December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2024, our managed care membership increased by 1.1 million, or 4%. The following table sets forth our membership by line of business:

December 31,

(3) Membership includes Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement.

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis is based on our Consolidated Statements of Operations, which reflect our results of operations for years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP) ($ in millions, except per share data in dollars):

Selling, general and administrative expenses 12,400 12,563 (1) %

Amortization of acquired intangible assets 692 718 (4) %

Earnings before income tax expense 4,257 3,598 18 %

Loss attributable to noncontrolling interests 11 3 n.m.

Net earnings attributable to Centene Corporation $ 3,305 $ 2,702 22 %

n.m.: not meaningful

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Year Ended December 31, 2024 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2023

Total Revenues

Total revenues increased 6% in the year ended December 31, 2024, over the corresponding period in 2023 primarily driven by membership growth in the Marketplace business due to strong product positioning as well as overall market growth and outperformance in Marketplace risk adjustment for the 2023 benefit year, along with Medicaid rate increases and increased premium tax revenue. The increases were partially offset by lower Medicaid membership primarily due to redeterminations and divestitures in the Other segment.

Operating Expenses

Medical Costs/HBR

The HBR for the year ended December 31, 2024 was 88.3%, compared to 87.7% in 2023. The increase was primarily driven by higher acuity in Medicaid resulting from the redetermination process as we continue to work with states to match rates with acuity. The increase was also driven by Medicare Star rating impacts. The increases were partially offset by Marketplace membership growth and improved margin through strong 2024 product design and execution, outperformance in Marketplace risk adjustment for the 2023 benefit year as well as the Marketplace cost sharing reduction (CSR) settlement related to prior years. The 2024 HBR was also favorably impacted by the decrease in the Medicare Advantage premium deficiency reserve-related expenses compared to 2023.

Cost of Services

Cost of services decreased by $835 million in the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the corresponding period in 2023. The cost of service ratio for the year ended December 31, 2024 was 85.2%, compared to 79.9% in 2023. The decrease in expense and increase in the ratio were primarily driven by the divestiture of Circle Health, which operated at a lower cost of service ratio.

Selling, General & Administrative Expenses

The SG&A expense ratio was 8.5% for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to 9.0% for the year ended December 31, 2023. The adjusted SG&A expense ratio was 8.5% for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to 8.9% for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in the adjusted SG&A expense ratio was primarily driven by the divestiture of Circle Health, which operated at a higher SG&A expense ratio, lower Medicare SG&A, and continued leveraging of expenses over higher revenues. The decrease was partially offset by growth in the Marketplace business, which operates at a meaningfully higher SG&A expense ratio as compared to Medicaid.

Impairment

During the year ended December 31, 2024, we recorded total impairment charges of $13 million driven by Health Net Federal Services property, software and equipment related to the TRICARE Managed Care Support Contract that was no longer recoverable following the 2024 final ruling.

During the year ended December 31, 2023, we recorded total impairment charges of $529 million, including a $292 million charge related to assets associated with the divestiture of Circle Health, a $140 million charge related to the Operose Health divestiture and additional impairments of $97 million related to our real estate optimization initiative.

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Other Income (Expense)

The following table summarizes the components of other income (expense) for the year ended December 31, ($ in millions):

Investment and other income $ 1,784 $ 1,393

Other income (expense), net $ 1,082 $ 668

Investment and other income. Investment and other income increased by $391 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to 2023, driven by higher interest rates on larger investment balances. The year ended December 31, 2024 also included net gains on divestitures described above, partially offset by a private equity investment reduction. The year ended December 31, 2023 included net gains on divestitures described above, partially offset by a realized loss on the sale of investments from rebalancing a portion of our portfolio with a focus on higher interest rate investments.

Interest expense. Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $702 million compared to $725 million for the corresponding period in 2023.

Income Tax Expense

For the year ended December 31, 2024, we recorded an income tax expense of $963 million on pre-tax earnings of $4.3 billion, or an effective tax rate of 22.6%. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2024 reflects tax effects of the Circle Health divestiture, which closed during the first quarter, settlements with tax authorities and valuation allowance releases. For the year ended December 31, 2024, our effective tax rate on adjusted earnings was 23.8%.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, we recorded income tax expense of $899 million on pre-tax earnings of $3.6 billion, or an effective tax rate of 25.0%. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2023 reflects the tax effects of the distribution of long-term stock awards to the estate of the Company's former CEO, divestiture gains and losses, lower state taxes as well as the then pending divestiture of Circle Health. For the year ended December 31, 2023, our effective tax rate on adjusted earnings was 24.9%.

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Segment Results

The following table summarizes our consolidated operating results by segment for the year ended December 31, ($ in millions):

Total Revenues

Gross Margin (1)

Medicaid

Total revenues increased 1% in the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the corresponding period in 2023. Gross margin decreased $2.4 billion in the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the corresponding period in 2023. The increase in total revenues was primarily driven by increased premium tax revenue and rate increases, partially offset by lower membership primarily due to redeterminations. Gross margin decreased primarily due to lower overall membership as a result of the redetermination process, coupled with higher acuity post-redeterminations as we continue to work with our state partners to match rates to the changes in acuity.

Medicare

Total revenues increased 3% in the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the corresponding period in 2023, primarily driven by increased PDP membership of 50%, partially offset by lower Medicare Advantage membership. Gross margin decreased $272 million in the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the corresponding period in 2023 driven primarily by lower Medicare Advantage revenue resulting from the Star quality ratings impact and lower membership discussed above. Gross margin in 2024 was favorably impacted by the decrease in the Medicare Advantage premium deficiency reserve-related expenses compared to 2023 and growth and performance in the PDP business.

Commercial

Total revenues increased 36% in the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the corresponding period in 2023. Gross margin increased $2.6 billion in the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the corresponding period in 2023. The increases were primarily driven by 12% membership growth in the Marketplace business along with improved margin through strong 2024 product design and execution as well as outperformance in Marketplace risk adjustment for the 2023 benefit year and the Marketplace CSR settlement related to prior years.

Other

Total revenues decreased 20% in the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the corresponding period in 2023. Gross margin decreased $535 million in the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the corresponding period in 2023. The decreases were primarily due to divestitures.

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The following table is a condensed schedule of cash flows used in the discussion of liquidity and capital resources ($ in millions):

Year Ended December 31,

Net cash provided by operating activities $ 154 $ 8,053

Net cash used in investing activities (1,052) (1,191)

Net cash used in financing activities (2,406) (1,658)

Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities

Normal operations are funded primarily through operating cash flows and borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility. In 2024, operating activities provided cash of $154 million compared to providing cash of $8.1 billion in 2023. Cash flows provided by operations in 2024 was primarily driven by net earnings, almost entirely offset by an increase in pharmacy receivables driven by pharmacy rebate remittance timing associated with our transition to a new third-party PBM in January 2024, a decrease in net risk adjustment payables and higher state premium receivables for recent rate increases.

Cash flows provided by operations in 2023 were primarily driven by net earnings, an increase in risk adjustment payable for Marketplace and the timing of pass-through payments.

Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities

Investing activities used cash of $1.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2024 and $1.2 billion in 2023. Cash flows used in investing activities in 2024 and 2023 primarily consisted of net additions to the investment portfolio of our regulated subsidiaries (including transfers from cash and cash equivalents to long-term investments) and capital expenditures, partially offset by divestiture proceeds.

We spent $644 million and $799 million in the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, on capital expenditures primarily for system enhancements and computer hardware.

As of December 31, 2024, our investment portfolio consisted primarily of fixed-income securities with a weighted average duration of 3.4 years. We had unregulated cash and investments of $1.1 billion at December 31, 2024. At December 31, 2023, we had unregulated cash and investments of $1.0 billion, the majority of which was utilized in January 2024 to complete planned pass-through payments. Unregulated cash and investments include private equity investments and company owned life insurance contracts.

Cash Flows Used in Financing Activities

Financing activities used cash of $2.4 billion in the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to using cash of $1.7 billion in the comparable period in 2023. Financing activities in 2024 were driven by stock repurchases of $3.1 billion, which included $3.0 billion under the stock repurchase program and $114 million of repurchases related to income tax withholding upon the vesting of previously awarded stock grants, partially offset by net proceeds from long-term debt.

In 2023, financing activities were driven by stock repurchases of $1.6 billion.

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Liquidity Metrics

We have a stock repurchase program authorizing us to repurchase common stock from time to time on the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. In 2023, the Company's Board of Directors authorized up to a cumulative total of $10.0 billion of repurchases under the program.

In 2024, we repurchased a total of 42.0 million shares of common stock for $3.0 billion under the stock repurchase program, primarily funded through divestiture proceeds and free cash flow generated from operations. We have $2.2 billion remaining under the program as of December 31, 2024. No duration has been placed on the repurchase program. We reserve the right to discontinue the repurchase program at any time. Refer to Note 12. Stockholders' Equity for further information on stock repurchases.

As of December 31, 2024, we had an aggregate principal amount of $15.7 billion of senior notes issued and outstanding. The indentures governing our various maturities of senior notes contain limited restrictive covenants. As of December 31, 2024, we were in compliance with all covenants.

As part of our capital allocation strategy, we may decide to repurchase debt or raise capital through the issuance of debt in the form of senior notes. In 2022, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a $1.0 billion senior note debt repurchase program. No repurchases were made during the year ended December 31, 2024. As of December 31, 2024, there was $700 million available under the senior note debt repurchase program. Refer to Note 10. Debt for further information regarding the issuance and redemption of senior notes.

The credit agreement underlying our Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan Facility contains customary covenants, as well as financial covenants, including, a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio and a maximum debt-to-EBITDA ratio. Our maximum debt-to-EBITDA ratio under the credit agreement may not exceed 4.0 to 1.0. As of December 31, 2024, we had $950 million of borrowings outstanding under our Revolving Credit Facility, $2.0 billion of borrowings outstanding under our Term Loan Facility and we were in compliance with all covenants. As of December 31, 2024, there were no limitations on the availability of our Revolving Credit Facility as a result of the debt-to-EBITDA ratio.

We had outstanding letters of credit of $145 million as of December 31, 2024, which were not part of our Revolving Credit Facility. The letters of credit bore weighted interest of 0.7% as of December 31, 2024. In addition, we had outstanding surety bonds of $844 million as of December 31, 2024.

At December 31, 2024, our debt-to-capital ratio, defined as total debt divided by the sum of total debt and total equity, was 41.2%, compared to 40.7% at December 31, 2023. The debt-to-capital ratio increase was driven by stock repurchases and increased borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility in 2024 to fund pharmacy benefit-related activities, partially offset by net earnings. We utilize the debt-to-capital ratio as a measure, among others, of our leverage and financial flexibility.

At December 31, 2024, we had working capital, defined as current assets less current liabilities, of $3.7 billion, compared to $4.0 billion at December 31, 2023. We manage our short-term and long-term investments with the goal of ensuring that a sufficient portion is held in investments that are highly liquid.

During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, we received dividends of $3.2 billion and $2.3 billion, respectively, from our regulated subsidiaries.

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2025 Expectations

During 2025, we expect to receive net dividends of approximately $1.9 billion from our regulated subsidiaries and expect to spend approximately $700 million in capital expenditures primarily associated with system enhancements.

We have material short-term medical claims, debt and lease obligations. Refer toNote 8. Medical Claims Liability, Note 10. Debt and Note 11. Leases, respectively, for further information.

Based on our operating plan, we expect that our available cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, cash from our operations and cash available under our Revolving Credit Facility will be sufficient to finance our general operations and capital expenditures for at least 12 months from the date of this filing. While we are currently in a strong liquidity position and believe we have adequate access to capital, we may elect to increase borrowings on our Revolving Credit Facility, which matures in August 2026. Additionally, our senior notes mature between December 2027 and August 2031. From time to time, we may elect to raise additional funds for working capital and other purposes, either through issuance of debt or equity, the sale of investment securities or otherwise, as appropriate. In addition, we may strategically pursue refinancing or redemption opportunities to extend maturities and/or improve terms of our indebtedness if we believe such opportunities are favorable to us.

We intend to continue to target initiatives to improve productivity, efficiencies and reduced organizational costs, as well as capital deployment activities, including stock repurchases, portfolio optimization and the evaluation of refinancing opportunities. In addition to creating shareholder value, these actions encompass a larger organizational mission to enhance our member and provider experience, improve outcomes for our members and innovate to ensure that Centene is a great partner in all aspects of our operations.

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REGULATORY CAPITAL AND DIVIDEND RESTRICTIONS

Our operations are conducted through our subsidiaries. As managed care organizations (MCOs), most of our subsidiaries are subject to state regulations and other requirements that, among other things, require the maintenance of minimum levels of statutory capital, as defined by each state, and restrict the timing, payment and amount of dividends and other distributions that may be paid to us. Generally, the amount of dividend distributions that may be paid by a regulated subsidiary without prior approval by state regulatory authorities is limited based on the entity's level of statutory net income and statutory capital and surplus.

As of December 31, 2024, our subsidiaries had aggregate statutory capital and surplus of $20.3 billion, compared with the required minimum aggregate statutory capital and surplus requirements of $9.1 billion. During the year ended December 31, 2024, we received dividends of $3.2 billion from and made $752 million of capital contributions to our regulated subsidiaries. For our subsidiaries that file with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), we estimate our Risk Based Capital (RBC) percentage to be in excess of 350% of the Authorized Control Level.

Under the California Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975, as amended (Knox-Keene), certain of our California subsidiaries must comply with tangible net equity (TNE) requirements. Under these Knox-Keene TNE requirements, actual net worth less unsecured receivables and intangible assets must be more than the greater of (i) a fixed minimum amount, (ii) a minimum amount based on premiums or (iii) a minimum amount based on healthcare expenditures, excluding capitated amounts.

Under the New York State Department of Health Codes, Rules and Regulations Title 10, Part 98, our New York subsidiary must comply with contingent reserve requirements. Under these requirements, net worth based upon admitted assets must equal or exceed a minimum amount based on annual net premium income.

The NAIC has adopted rules which set minimum risk-based capital requirements for insurance companies, MCOs and other entities bearing risk for healthcare coverage. As of December 31, 2024, each of our health plans was in compliance with the risk-based capital requirements enacted in those states.

As a result of the above requirements and other regulatory requirements, certain of our subsidiaries are subject to restrictions on their ability to make dividend payments, loans or other transfers of cash to their parent companies. Such restrictions, unless amended or waived or unless regulatory approval is granted, limit the use of any cash generated by these subsidiaries to pay our obligations. The maximum amount of dividends that can be paid by our insurance company subsidiaries without prior approval of the applicable state insurance departments is subject to restrictions relating to statutory surplus, statutory income and unassigned surplus. As of December 31, 2024, the amount of capital and surplus or net worth that was unavailable for the payment of dividends or return of capital to us was $9.1 billion in the aggregate.

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RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

For this information, refer to Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, included herein.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

Our discussion and analysis of our results of operations and liquidity and capital resources are based on our consolidated financial statements which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere herein. Our accounting policies regarding intangible assets, medical claims liability and revenue recognition are particularly important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and require the application of significant judgment by our management. As a result, they are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. We have reviewed these critical accounting policies and related disclosures with the Audit and Compliance Committee of our Board of Directors.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

We have made several acquisitions that have resulted in our recording of intangible assets. These intangible assets primarily consist of purchased contract rights and customer relationships, provider contracts, trade names, developed technologies and goodwill. Key assumptions used in the valuation of these intangible assets include, but are not limited to, member attrition rates, contract renewal probabilities, revenue growth rates, expectations of profitability and discount and royalty rates. We allocate the fair value of purchase consideration to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their fair values at the acquisition date. The excess of the fair value of consideration transferred over the fair value of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. Goodwill is generally attributable to the value of the synergies between the combined companies and the value of the acquired assembled workforce, neither of which qualifies for recognition as an intangible asset. At December 31, 2024, we had $17.6 billion of goodwill and $5.4 billion of other intangible assets.

Intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over the following periods:

Intangible Asset Amortization Period

Purchased contract rights and customer relationships 3 - 21 years

Provider contracts 4 - 15 years

Trade names 7 - 20 years

Developed technologies 2 - 7 years

Our management evaluates whether events or circumstances have occurred that may affect the estimated useful life or the recoverability of the remaining balance of goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets. If the events or circumstances indicate that the remaining balance of the intangible asset or goodwill may be impaired, the potential impairment will be measured based upon the difference between the carrying amount of the intangible asset or goodwill and the fair value of such asset. Our management must make assumptions and estimates, such as the discount factor, future utility and other internal and external factors, in determining the estimated fair values. While we believe these assumptions and estimates are appropriate, other assumptions and estimates could be applied and might produce significantly different results.

Goodwill is reviewed annually during the fourth quarter for impairment. In addition, an impairment analysis of intangible assets would be performed based on other factors. These factors include significant changes in membership, financial performance, state funding, government contracts and provider networks and contracts.

We operate in four segments: (1) a Medicaid segment, (2) a Medicare segment, (3) a Commercial segment and (4) an Other segment. We define our reporting units as our operating segments or one level below the operating segment. If a reporting unit's carrying amount exceeds its fair value, an entity will record an impairment charge based on that difference. The impairment charge will be limited to the amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. We first assess qualitative factors to determine if a quantitative impairment test is necessary. We generally do not calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless we determine, based on a qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. However, in certain circumstances, such as recent acquisitions, we may elect to perform a quantitative assessment without first assessing qualitative factors.

We do not believe any of our reporting units are currently at risk for impairment.

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Medical Claims Liability

Our medical claims liability includes claims reported but not yet paid, or claims inventory, estimates for claims incurred but not reported (IBNR) and estimates for the costs necessary to process unpaid claims at the end of each period. We estimate our medical claims liability using actuarial methods that are commonly used by health insurance actuaries and meet Actuarial Standards of Practice. These actuarial methods consider factors such as historical data for payment patterns, cost trends, product mix, seasonality, utilization of healthcare services and other relevant factors.

Actuarial Standards of Practice generally require that the medical claims liability estimates be adequate to cover obligations under moderately adverse conditions. Moderately adverse conditions are situations in which the actual claims are expected to be higher than the otherwise estimated value of such claims at the time of estimate. The claims amounts ultimately settled will most likely be different than the estimate that satisfies the Actuarial Standards of Practice. We include in our IBNR an estimate for medical claims liability under moderately adverse conditions which represents the risk of adverse deviation of the estimates in our actuarial method of reserving.

We use our judgment to determine the assumptions to be used in the calculation of the required estimates. The assumptions we consider when estimating IBNR include, without limitation, claims receipt and payment experience (and variations in that experience), changes in membership, provider billing practices, healthcare service utilization trends, cost trends, product mix, seasonality, prior authorization of medical services, benefit changes, known outbreaks of disease or increased incidence of illness such as influenza, provider contract changes, changes to fee schedules and the incidence of high-dollar or catastrophic claims.

We apply various estimation methods depending on the claim type and the period for which claims are being estimated. For more recent periods, incurred non-inpatient claims are estimated based on historical per member per month claims experience adjusted for known factors. Incurred hospital inpatient claims are estimated based on known inpatient utilization data and prior claims experience adjusted for known factors. For older periods, we utilize an estimated completion factor based on our historical experience to develop IBNR estimates. The completion factor is an actuarial estimate of the percentage of claims that have been received or adjudicated as of the end of a reporting period relative to the estimate of the total ultimate incurred costs for that same period. When we commence operations in a new state or region, we have limited information with which to estimate our medical claims liability. See "Risk Factors - Failure to accurately estimate and price our medical expenses or effectively manage our medical costs or related administrative costs could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows." These approaches are consistently applied to each period presented.

Our development of the medical claims liability estimate is a continuous process which we monitor and refine on a monthly basis as additional claims receipts and payment information becomes available. As more complete claims information becomes available, we adjust the amount of the estimates and include the changes in estimates in medical costs in the period in which the changes are identified. In every reporting period, our operating results include the effects of more completely developed medical claims liability estimates associated with previously reported periods. We consistently apply our reserving methodology from period to period. As additional information becomes known to us, we adjust our actuarial models accordingly to establish medical claims liability estimates.

We review actual and anticipated experience compared to the assumptions used to establish medical costs. We establish premium deficiency reserves if actual and anticipated experience indicates that existing policy liabilities together with the present value of future gross premiums will not be sufficient to cover the present value of future benefits, settlement and maintenance costs. For purposes of determining premium deficiencies, contracts are grouped in a manner consistent with the method of acquiring, servicing and measuring the profitability of such contracts and expected investment income is excluded. We recorded a premium deficiency reserve of $250 million in December 2023 related to the 2024 Medicare Advantage contract year. In December 2024, we recorded a premium deficiency reserve of $92 million related to the 2025 Medicare Advantage contract year.

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The paid and received completion factors, claims per member per month and per diem cost trend factors are the most significant factors affecting the IBNR estimate. The following table illustrates the sensitivity of these factors and the estimated potential impact on our operating results caused by changes in these factors based on December 31, 2024 data:

Completion Factors: (1) Cost Trend Factors: (2)

(In millions) (In millions)

While we believe our estimates are appropriate, it is possible future events could require us to make significant adjustments for revisions to these estimates. For example, a 1% increase or decrease in our estimated medical claims liability would have affected net earnings by $142 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, excluding the effect of any return of premium, risk corridor or minimum medical loss ratio (MLR) programs. The estimates are based on our historical experience, terms of existing contracts, our observation of trends in the industry, information provided by our providers and information available from other outside sources.

The change in medical claims liability is summarized as follows (in millions):

Year Ended December 31,

Less: Reinsurance recoverables 49 26 23

Acquisitions and divestitures — — 105

Incurred related to:

Paid related to:

Plus: Premium deficiency reserve (158) 250 —

Plus: Reinsurance recoverables 65 49 26

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Medical claims are usually paid within a few months of the member receiving service from the physician or other healthcare provider. As a result, the liability generally is described as having a "short-tail," which causes less than 10% of our medical claims liability as of the end of any given year to be outstanding the following year. We believe that the vast majority of the development of the estimate of medical claims liability as of December 31, 2024 will be known by the end of 2025.

Changes in estimates of incurred claims for prior years are primarily attributable to reserving under moderately adverse conditions. Additionally, as a result of minimum MLR and other return of premium programs, approximately $243 million, $382 million and $198 million of the "Incurred related to: Prior years" was recorded as a reduction to premium revenues in 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Further, claims processing and coordination of benefits initiatives yielded claim payment recoveries related to dates of service from prior years. Changes in medical utilization, claims submission patterns, and cost trends and the effect of population health management initiatives may also contribute to changes in medical claim liability estimates. While we have evidence that population health management initiatives are effective on a case by case basis, these initiatives primarily focus on events and behaviors prior to the incurrence of the medical event and generation of a claim. Accordingly, any change in behavior, leveling of care or coordination of treatment occurs prior to claim generation and as a result, the costs prior to the population health management initiative are not known by us. Additionally, certain population health management initiatives are focused on member and provider education with the intent of influencing behavior to appropriately align the medical services provided with the member's acuity. In these cases, determining whether the population health management initiative changed the behavior cannot be determined. Because of the complexity of our business, the number of states in which we operate and the volume of claims that we process, we are unable to practically quantify the impact of these initiatives on our changes in estimates of IBNR.

Revenue Recognition

Our health plans generate revenues primarily from premiums received from the states in which we operate health plans, premiums received from our members and CMS for our Medicare product and premiums from members of our commercial health plans. In addition to member premium payments, our Marketplace contracts also generate revenues from subsidies received from CMS. We generally receive a fixed premium per member per month pursuant to our contracts and recognize premium revenues during the period in which we are obligated to provide services to our members at the amount reasonably estimable. In some instances, our base premiums are subject to an adjustment, in the form of a risk score or risk adjustment, based on the acuity of our membership. Generally, the risk score or risk adjustment is determined by the state or CMS analyzing submissions of processed claims and medical record data to determine the acuity of our membership, often relative to the respective program's membership. We estimate the amount of risk score and risk adjustment based upon the processed claims and medical record data submitted and expected to be submitted to the state or CMS and record revenues on a risk adjusted basis. Some contracts allow for additional premiums related to certain supplemental services provided such as maternity deliveries.

Our contracts with states and CMS may require us to maintain a minimum MLR or may require us to share cost-savings in excess of certain levels. In certain circumstances, including commercial plans, our plans may be required to return premium to the state or policyholders in the event costs are below established levels. We estimate the effect of these programs and recognize reductions in revenue in the current period. Other states may require us to meet certain performance and quality metrics in order to receive additional or full contractual revenue. For performance-based contracts, we do not recognize revenue subject to refund until data is sufficient to measure performance.

Revenues are recorded based on membership and eligibility data provided by the states or CMS, which is adjusted on a monthly basis by the states or CMS for retroactive additions or deletions to membership data. These eligibility adjustments are estimated monthly and subsequent adjustments are made in the period known. We review and update those estimates as new information becomes available. It is possible that new information could require us to make additional adjustments, which could be significant, to these estimates.

Our Medicare Advantage contracts are with CMS. CMS deploys a risk adjustment model which apportions premiums paid to all health plans according to health severity and certain demographic factors. The CMS risk adjustment model pays more for members whose medical history would indicate that they are expected to have higher medical costs. Under this risk adjustment methodology, CMS calculates the risk adjusted premium payment using diagnosis data from hospital inpatient, hospital outpatient, physician treatment settings as well as prescription drug events. We and the healthcare providers collect, compile and submit the necessary and available diagnosis data to CMS within prescribed deadlines. We estimate risk adjustment revenues based upon the diagnosis data submitted and expected to be submitted to CMS and record revenues on a risk adjusted basis.

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For qualifying low-income prescription drug benefit members, CMS pays for some, or all, of the member's monthly premium. We receive certain Part D prospective subsidy payments from CMS for these 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.

Our specialty companies generate revenues under contracts with state and federal programs, healthcare organizations and other commercial organizations and from our own subsidiaries. Revenues are recognized when the related services are provided or as ratably earned over the covered period of services. For performance-based measures in our contracts, revenue is recognized as data sufficient to measure performance is available. We recognize revenue related to administrative services under the TRICARE government-sponsored Managed Care Support Contract for the Department of Defense (DoD's) TRICARE program on a straight-line basis over the option period, when the fees become fixed and determinable. The TRICARE contract includes various performance-based measures. For each of the measures, an estimate of the amount that has been earned is made at each interim date, and revenue is recognized accordingly. We concluded serving members at the end of 2024 upon the expiration of its TRICARE Managed Care Support Contract.

Some states enact premium taxes, similar assessments and provider pass-through payments, collectively premium taxes, and these taxes are recorded as a separate component of both revenues and operating expenses. For certain products, premium taxes and state assessments are not pass-through payments and are recorded as premium revenue and premium tax expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Some states require state directed payments that have minimal risk, but are administered as a premium adjustment. These payments are recorded as premium revenue and medical costs at close to a 100% HBR. In many instances, we have little visibility to the timing of these payments until they are paid by the state.

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ITEM 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market risk represents the risk of loss that may impact our financial condition due to adverse changes in financial market prices and rates. Our market risk exposure is primarily the result of fluctuations in interest rates.

INVESTMENTS AND DEBT

As of December 31, 2024, we had short-term investments of $2.6 billion and long-term investments of $18.8 billion, including restricted deposits of $1.4 billion. The short-term investments generally consist of highly liquid securities with maturities between three and 12 months. The long-term investments consist of municipal, corporate and U.S. Treasury securities, government-sponsored obligations, life insurance contracts, asset backed securities, equity securities and private equity investments and have maturities greater than one year. Private equity investments include direct investments in private equity securities as well as private equity funds. Restricted deposits consist of investments required by various state statutes to be deposited or pledged to state agencies. Due to the nature of the states' requirements, these investments are classified as long-term regardless of the contractual maturity date. Substantially all of our investments are subject to interest rate risk and will decrease in value if market rates increase. Assuming a hypothetical and immediate 1% increase in market interest rates at December 31, 2024, the fair value of our fixed income investments would decrease by approximately $665 million. Declines in interest rates over time will reduce our investment income.

For a discussion of the interest rate risk that our investments are subject to, see "Risk Factors -Our investment portfolio may suffer losses which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations or liquidity."

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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors

Centene Corporation:

Opinion on the ConsolidatedFinancial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Centene Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive earnings (loss), stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three‐year period ended December 31, 2024, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three‐year period ended December 31, 2024, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated February 18, 2025 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the Audit and Compliance Committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

Evaluation of the estimated medical claims liability

As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company's medical claims liability includes claims reported but not yet paid, estimates for claims incurred but not reported, and estimates for the costs necessary to process unpaid claims. As discussed in Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements, the balance at December 31, 2024 was $18,308 million.

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We identified the evaluation of the estimated medical claims liability as a critical audit matter. The Company estimates its medical claims liability using actuarial methods. Specialized skills were required to evaluate these actuarial methods, which include analyzing historical claims data in order to estimate the medical claims liability. The medical claims liability included an estimate for medical claims developing under moderately adverse conditions, which represents the risk of adverse deviation in the Company's actuarial methods of reserving, which required auditor judgment to evaluate.

The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls related to the critical audit matter. This included controls over the Company's process to evaluate the estimate of the medical claims liability. We involved actuarial professionals with specialized skills and knowledge who evaluated the actuarial methods used by the Company to estimate the medical claims liability. With the assistance of the actuarial professionals, we challenged the Company's estimate of the medical claims liability, including the effects of moderately adverse conditions, by developing an independent estimate for certain health plans using the Company's medical claims data, and relative range. We assessed the potential for management bias by evaluating the Company's position and movement within the actuarial professionals' relative range.

Evaluation of the estimated Affordable Care Act risk adjustment accruals

As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) established a permanent risk adjustment program. This program transfers funds from qualified individual and small group insurance plans with below average risk scores to those insurance plans with above average risk scores within each state. The final settlement of the December 31, 2024 ACA risk adjustment accruals is scheduled to be determined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in June 2025, based on data submitted by insurance companies through April 2025. As discussed in Note 9, the Company recorded an estimated asset and liability (the ACA risk adjustment accruals) of $1,434 million, and $1,605 million, respectively at December 31, 2024.

We identified the evaluation of the estimated ACA risk adjustment accruals as a critical audit matter. Specialized skills and a higher degree of auditor judgment were required to evaluate the Company's estimates. The Company's estimates are based on its analysis of member data, claims data, and projections of claims data expected to be submitted by the Company, and other insurance plans, to CMS for settlement.

The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls over the Company's process to develop the estimated ACA risk adjustment accruals. We involved actuarial professionals with specialized skills and knowledge who assisted in evaluating the Company's methodology used in estimating the ACA risk adjustment accruals for consistency with the federally developed risk adjustment methodology. Additionally, the actuarial professionals assisted in evaluating the projections of claims data utilized to estimate the ACA risk adjustment accruals, and assessed the methodologies utilized by the Company for consistency with industry practice. We assessed the Company's process to estimate the ACA risk adjustment accruals, in order to consider the potential for management bias, by performing a retrospective review of the prior period ACA risk adjustment accruals and assessing the consistency of those estimated balances with the subsequent settlement.

/s/ KPMG LLP

We have served as the Company's auditor since 2005.

St. Louis, Missouri

February 18, 2025

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CENTENE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions, except shares in thousands and per share data in dollars)

ASSETS

Current assets:

Property, software and equipment, net 2,067 2,019

LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable and accrued expenses 13,174 16,420

Current portion of long-term debt 110 119

Commitments and contingencies

Redeemable noncontrolling interests 10 19

Stockholders' equity:

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) (504) (652)

Nonredeemable noncontrolling interest 90 97

The accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

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CENTENE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In millions, except shares in thousands and per share data in dollars)

Year Ended December 31,

Revenues:

Expenses:

Amortization of acquired intangible assets 692 718 817

Other income (expense):

Debt extinguishment — — 30

Loss attributable to noncontrolling interests 11 3 —

Net earnings attributable to Centene Corporation $ 3,305 $ 2,702 $ 1,202

Net earnings per common share attributable to Centene Corporation:

Basic earnings per common share $ 6.33 $ 4.97 $ 2.09

Diluted earnings per common share $ 6.31 $ 4.95 $ 2.07

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:

The accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

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CENTENE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS (LOSS)

(In millions)

Year Ended December 31,

Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments 94 520 (1,475)

Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments, tax effect (29) (128) 349

Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of tax 65 392 (1,126)

Reclassification adjustment, net of tax 83 62 11

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax — 36 (94)

Net unrealized (loss) on cash flow hedge, net of tax — (10) —

Other comprehensive earnings (loss) 148 480 (1,209)

Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests 11 3 —

The accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

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CENTENE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

(In millions, except shares in thousands and per share data in dollars)

Centene Stockholders' Equity

Common Stock Treasury Stock

Other comprehensive loss, net of $(349) tax — — — (1,209) — — — — (1,209)

Common stock issued for employee benefit plans 5,143 — 71 — — — — — 71

Stock compensation expense — — 234 — — — — — 234

Reclassification to non-redeemable — — — — — — — 17 17

Divestiture of noncontrolling interest — — — — — — — (14) (14)

Dividend to noncontrolling interest — — — — — — — (10) (10)

Purchase of noncontrolling interest — — — — — — — (1) (1)

Net earnings (loss) — — — — 2,702 — — (3) 2,699

Other comprehensive earnings, net of $144 tax — — — 480 — — — — 480

Common stock issued for employee benefit plans 7,444 — 44 — — — — — 44

Stock compensation expense — — 216 — — — — — 216

Purchase of redeemable noncontrolling interest — — (12) — — — — — (12)

Purchase of non-redeemable noncontrolling interest — — (4) — — — — (24) (28)

Net earnings (loss) — — — — 3,305 — — (5) 3,300

Other comprehensive earnings, net of $31 tax — — — 148 — — — — 148

Common stock issued for employee benefit plans 4,904 — 46 — — — — — 46

Stock compensation expense — — 212 — — — — — 212

Divestiture of noncontrolling interest — — — — — — — (2) (2)

The accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

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CENTENE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions)

Year Ended December 31,

Cash flows from operating activities:

(Gain) loss on debt extinguishment — — (25)

(Gain) on acquisition — — (2)

(Gain) loss on divestitures, net (120) (152) (772)

Loss on disposal of equipment — — 221

Changes in assets and liabilities

Accounts payable and accrued expenses (528) 3,398 421

Other operating activities, net 56 (4) 125

Net cash provided by operating activities 154 8,053 6,261

Cash flows from investing activities:

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired — — (1,460)

Divestiture proceeds, net of divested cash 990 707 2,477

Net cash used in investing activities (1,052) (1,191) (2,921)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Payments and repurchases of long-term debt (622) (2,316) (1,490)

Proceeds from common stock issuances 46 44 70

Payments for debt extinguishment — — (14)

Purchase of noncontrolling interest — (88) —

Other financing activities, net (6) — (27)

Net cash used in financing activities (2,406) (1,658) (4,197)

Cash and cash equivalents reclassified (to) from held for sale — (50) (16)

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

Equity issued in connection with acquisitions $ — $ — $ 60

Restricted cash and cash equivalents, included in restricted deposits 93 259 256

The accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

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CENTENE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Organization and Operations

Centene Corporation, or the Company, is a leading provider of government-sponsored healthcare. Centene's focus is on improving health and health care for low-income populations with complex needs. The Company provides access to high-quality healthcare, innovative programs and a wide range of health solutions that help families and individuals get well, stay well and be well.

The Company operates in four segments: (1) a Medicaid segment, (2) a Medicare segment, (3) a Commercial segment and (4) an Other segment. The Medicaid, Medicare and Commercial segments primarily represent the government-sponsored or subsidized programs under which the Company offers managed healthcare services. Specifically, the Medicaid segment includes the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, Medicaid Expansion programs, the Aged, Blind or Disabled (ABD) program, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS), Foster Care, Medicare-Medicaid Plans (MMP), which cover beneficiaries who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare and other state-based programs. The Medicare segment includes Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs), also known as Medicare Part D. The Commercial segment includes the Health Insurance Marketplace product along with individual, small group and large group commercial health insurance products. The Other segment includes the Company's pharmacy operations, Envolve Benefit Options' vision and dental services, clinical healthcare, behavioral health, international operations and corporate management company, among others. The Company's international businesses, Operose Health Group (Operose Health) and Circle Health Group (Circle Health), which were included in the Other segment, were divested in December 2023 and January 2024, respectively.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Centene Corporation and all majority owned subsidiaries and subsidiaries over which the Company exercises the power and control to direct activities significantly impacting financial performance. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Certain 2022 and 2023 amounts in the consolidated financial statements and notes to the consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2024 presentation. These reclassifications have no effect on net earnings or stockholders' equity as previously reported.

During 2024, the Company completed the divestitures of Circle Health and Collaborative Health Systems (CHS). See Note 3. Acquisitions and Divestitures for further details.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Future events and their effects cannot be predicted with certainty; accordingly, the accounting estimates require the exercise of judgment. The accounting estimates used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements will change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired, as additional information is obtained, and as the operating environment changes. The Company evaluates and updates its assumptions and estimates on an ongoing basis and may employ outside experts to assist in its evaluation, as considered necessary. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Business Combinations

Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. The Company allocates the fair value of purchase consideration to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their fair values at the acquisition date. The excess of the fair value of consideration transferred over the fair value of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. Goodwill is generally attributable to the value of the synergies between the combined companies and the value of the acquired assembled workforce, neither of which qualifies for recognition as an intangible asset.

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The Company uses its best estimates and assumptions to value assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date; however, these estimates are sometimes preliminary and, in some instances, all information required to value the assets acquired and liabilities assumed may not be available or final as of the end of a reporting period subsequent to the business combination. If the accounting for the business combination is incomplete, provisional amounts are recorded. The provisional amounts are updated during the period determined, up to one year from the acquisition date. The Company includes the results of operations of acquired businesses in the Company's consolidated results prospectively from the date of acquisition.

Acquisition related expenses and post-acquisition restructuring costs are recognized separately from the business combination and are expensed as incurred.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Investments with original maturities of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consist of money market funds, bank certificates of deposit and savings accounts.

The Company maintains amounts on deposit with various financial institutions, which may exceed federally insured limits. However, management periodically evaluates the credit-worthiness of those institutions, and the Company has not experienced any losses on such deposits.

Investments

Short-term investments include securities with maturities greater than three months to one year. Long-term investments include securities with maturities greater than one year.

Short-term and long-term investments are generally classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value. Certain equity investments are recorded using the fair value or equity method. The Company monitors the difference between the carrying value and fair value of its available-for-sale debt investments and whether declines in fair value are credit related. Unrealized gains and losses on debt investments available-for-sale are excluded from earnings and reported in accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss), a separate component of stockholders' equity, net of income tax effects. If a loss is deemed to be credit related, the Company recognizes an allowance through earnings. For each security in an unrealized loss position, the Company assesses whether it intends to sell the security or if it is more likely than not the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of the amortized cost basis for reasons such as liquidity, contractual or regulatory purposes. If the security meets this criterion, the decline in fair value is recorded in earnings through investment and other income. Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted over the life of the related security using the effective interest method. To calculate realized gains and losses on the sale of investments, the Company uses the specific amortized cost of each investment sold. Realized gains and losses are recorded in investment and other income.

The Company uses the equity method to account for investments in entities that it does not control but has the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies. Generally, under the equity method, original investments in these entities are recorded at cost and subsequently adjusted by the Company's share of equity in income or losses after the date of acquisition as well as capital contributions to and distributions from these companies.

Restricted Deposits

Restricted deposits consist of investments required by various state statutes to be deposited or pledged to state agencies. These investments are classified as long-term, regardless of the contractual maturity date, due to the nature of the states' requirements. The Company is required to annually adjust the amount of the deposit pledged to certain states.

Fair Value Measurements

In the normal course of business, the Company invests in various financial assets and incurs various financial liabilities. Fair values are disclosed for all financial instruments, whether or not such values are recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Management obtains quoted market prices and other observable inputs for these disclosures. The carrying amounts reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for cash and cash equivalents, premium and trade receivables, medical claims liability, accounts payable and accrued expenses, unearned revenue and certain other current assets and liabilities are carried at cost, which approximates fair value because of their short-term nature.

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The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each financial instrument:

•Available-for-sale investments and restricted deposits: The carrying amount is stated at fair value, based on quoted market prices, where available. For securities not actively traded, fair values were estimated using values obtained from independent pricing services or quoted market prices of comparable instruments.

•Senior unsecured notes: Estimated based on third-party quoted market prices for the same or similar issues.

•Variable rate debt: The carrying amount of the Company's floating rate debt approximates fair value since the interest rates adjust based on market rate adjustments.

•Contingent consideration: Estimated based on expected achievement of metrics included in the acquisition agreement considering circumstances that exist as of the acquisition date.

Property, Software and Equipment

Property, software and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Computer hardware and software includes certain costs incurred in the development of internal-use software, including external direct costs of materials and services and payroll costs of team members devoted to specific software development. Depreciation is calculated principally by the straight-line method over estimated useful lives. Leasehold improvements are depreciated using the straight-line method over the shorter of the expected useful life or the remaining term of the lease. Property, software and equipment are depreciated over the following periods:

Fixed Asset Depreciation Period

Buildings and improvements 10 - 40 years

Computer hardware and software 3 - 5 years

Furniture and equipment 5 - 10 years

Land improvements 10 - 25 years

Leasehold improvements 1 - 20 years

The carrying amounts of all long-lived assets are evaluated to determine if adjustment to the depreciation and amortization period or to the unamortized balance is warranted. Such evaluation is based principally on the expected utilization of the long-lived assets.

The Company retains fully depreciated assets in property and accumulated depreciation accounts until it removes them from service. In the case of sale, retirement or disposal, the asset cost and related accumulated depreciation balance is removed from the respective account, and the resulting net amount, less any proceeds, is included as a component of earnings from operations in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Goodwill andIntangible Assets

Intangible assets represent assets acquired in purchase transactions and consist primarily of purchased contract rights and customer relationships, provider contracts, trade names, developed technologies and goodwill. Intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over the following periods:

Intangible Asset Amortization Period

Purchased contract rights and customer relationships 3 - 21 years

Provider contracts 4 - 15 years

Trade names 7 - 20 years

Developed technologies 2 - 7 years

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The Company tests for impairment of intangible assets, as well as long-lived assets, whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset or asset group (hereinafter referred to as "asset group") may not be recoverable by comparing the sum of the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from use of the asset group and its eventual disposition to the carrying value. Such factors include significant changes in membership, financial performance, state funding, government contracts and provider networks and contracts. If the sum of the estimated undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying value, an impairment determination is required. The amount of impairment is calculated by subtracting the fair value of the asset group from the carrying value of the asset group. An impairment charge, if any, is recognized within earnings from operations.

The Company operates in four segments: (1) a Medicaid segment, (2) a Medicare segment, (3) a Commercial segment and (4) an Other segment. The Company defines its reporting units as its operating segments or one level below the operating segment. The Company tests goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level using a fair value approach. The Company is required to test for impairment at least annually, absent a triggering event, which could include a significant decline in operating performance that would require an impairment assessment. Absent any impairment indicators, the Company performs its goodwill impairment testing during the fourth quarter of each year. The Company recognizes an impairment charge for any amount by which the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its fair value.

The Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test. The Company generally does not calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless it determines, based on a qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount.

If the quantitative test is deemed necessary, the Company determines an appropriate valuation technique to estimate a reporting unit's fair value as of the testing date. The Company utilizes either the income approach or the market approach, whichever is most appropriate for the respective reporting unit. The income approach is based on an internally developed discounted cash flow model that includes assumptions related to future growth rates, discount factors, future tax rates and other various assumptions. The market approach is based on financial multiples of comparable companies derived from current market data. The Company then compares the fair value of the reporting unit calculated using the income approach or market approach with its carrying amount and recognizes an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds fair value. The impairment charge is limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. Changes in economic and operating conditions impacting assumptions used in the Company's analyses could result in goodwill impairment in future periods.

Medical Claims Liability

Medical claims liability includes claims reported but not yet paid, or claims inventory, estimates for claims incurred but not reported, or IBNR, and estimates for the costs necessary to process unpaid claims at the end of each period. The Company estimates its medical claims liability using actuarial methods that are commonly used by health insurance actuaries and meet Actuarial Standards of Practice. These actuarial methods consider factors such as historical data for payment patterns, cost trends, product mix, seasonality, utilization of healthcare services and other relevant factors.

Actuarial Standards of Practice generally require that the medical claims liability estimates be adequate to cover obligations under moderately adverse conditions. Moderately adverse conditions are situations in which the actual claims are expected to be higher than the otherwise estimated value of such claims at the time of estimate. The claims amounts ultimately settled will most likely be different than the estimate that satisfies the Actuarial Standards of Practice. The Company includes in its IBNR an estimate for medical claims liability under moderately adverse conditions which represents the risk of adverse deviation of the estimates in its actuarial method of reserving.

The Company uses its judgment to determine the assumptions to be used in the calculation of the required estimates. The assumptions it considers when estimating IBNR include, without limitation, claims receipt and payment experience (and variations in that experience), changes in membership, provider billing practices, healthcare service utilization trends, cost trends, product mix, seasonality, prior authorization of medical services, benefit changes, known outbreaks of disease or increased incidence of illness such as influenza, provider contract changes, changes to fee schedules and the incidence of high-dollar or catastrophic claims.

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The Company's development of the medical claims liability estimate is a continuous process which it monitors and refines on a monthly basis as additional claims receipts and payment information becomes available. As more complete claims information becomes available, the Company adjusts the amount of the estimates, and includes the changes in estimates in medical costs in the period in which the changes are identified. In every reporting period, the operating results include the effects of more completely developed medical claims liability estimates associated with previously reported periods. The Company consistently applies its reserving methodology from period to period. As additional information becomes known, it adjusts the actuarial models accordingly to establish medical claims liability estimates.

The Company reviews actual and anticipated experience compared to the assumptions used to establish medical costs. The Company establishes premium deficiency reserves if actual and anticipated experience indicates that existing policy liabilities together with the present value of future gross premiums will not be sufficient to cover the present value of future benefits, settlement and maintenance costs. For purposes of determining premium deficiencies, contracts are grouped in a manner consistent with the method of acquiring, servicing and measuring the profitability of such contracts and expected investment income is excluded. In December 2023, the Company recorded a premium deficiency reserve of $250 million related to the 2024 Medicare Advantage contract year. In December 2024, the Company recorded a premium deficiency reserve of $92 million related to the 2025 Medicare Advantage contract year.

Revenue Recognition

The Company's health plans generate revenues primarily from premiums received from the states in which it operates health plans, premiums received from its members and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for its Medicare product and premiums from members of its commercial health plans. In addition to member premium payments, its Marketplace contracts also generate revenues from subsidies received from CMS. The Company generally receives a fixed premium per member per month pursuant to its contracts and recognizes premium revenues during the period in which it is obligated to provide services to its members at the amount reasonably estimable. In some instances, the Company's base premiums are subject to an adjustment, in the form of a risk score or risk adjustment, based on the acuity of its membership. Generally, the risk score or risk adjustment is determined by the state or CMS analyzing submissions of processed claims and medical record data to determine the acuity of the Company's membership, often relative to the respective program's membership. The Company estimates the amount of risk score and risk adjustment based upon the processed claims and medical record data submitted and expected to be submitted to the state or CMS and records revenues on a risk adjusted basis. Some contracts allow for additional premiums related to certain supplemental services provided such as maternity deliveries.

The Company's contracts with states and CMS may require it to maintain a minimum medical loss ratio (MLR) or may require it to share cost-savings in excess of certain levels. In certain circumstances, including commercial plans, its plans may be required to return premium to the state or policyholders in the event costs are below established levels. The Company estimates the effect of these programs and recognizes reductions in revenue in the current period. Other states may require us to meet certain performance and quality metrics in order to receive additional or full contractual revenue. For performance-based contracts, the Company does not recognize revenue subject to refund until data is sufficient to measure performance.

Revenues are recorded based on membership and eligibility data provided by the states or CMS, which is adjusted on a monthly basis by the states or CMS for retroactive additions or deletions to membership data. These eligibility adjustments are estimated monthly and subsequent adjustments are made in the period known. The Company reviews and updates those estimates as new information becomes available. It is possible that new information could require us to make additional adjustments, which could be significant, to these estimates.

The Company's Medicare Advantage contracts are with CMS. CMS deploys a risk adjustment model which apportions premiums paid to all health plans according to health severity and certain demographic factors. The CMS risk adjustment model pays more for members whose medical history would indicate that they are expected to have higher medical costs. Under this risk adjustment methodology, CMS calculates the risk adjusted premium payment using diagnosis data from hospital inpatient, hospital outpatient, physician treatment settings as well as prescription drug events. The Company and the healthcare providers collect, compile and submit the necessary and available diagnosis data to CMS within prescribed deadlines. The Company estimates risk adjustment revenues based upon the diagnosis data submitted and expected to be submitted to CMS and records revenues on a risk adjusted basis.

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For qualifying low-income prescription drug benefit members, CMS pays for some, or all, of the member's monthly premium. The Company receives certain Part D prospective subsidy payments from CMS for these 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 its 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 the Company's plans based on the difference between the prospective payments and actual claims experience.

The Company's specialty companies generate revenues under contracts with state and federal programs, healthcare organizations and other commercial organizations, as well as from its own subsidiaries. Revenues are recognized when the related services are provided, when inventory is shipped, or as ratably earned over the covered period of services. For performance-based measures in the Company's contracts, revenue is recognized as data sufficient to measure performance is available. The Company recognizes revenue related to administrative services under the TRICARE government-sponsored Managed Care Support Contract for the Department of Defense (DoD's) TRICARE program on a straight-line basis over the option period, when the fees become fixed and determinable. The TRICARE contract includes various performance-based measures. For each of the measures, an estimate of the amount that has been earned is made at each interim date, and revenue is recognized accordingly. The Company concluded serving members at the end of 2024 upon the expiration of its TRICARE Managed Care Support Contract.

Some states enact premium taxes, similar assessments and provider pass-through payments, collectively premium taxes, and these taxes are recorded as a separate component of both revenues and operating expenses. For certain products, premium taxes and state assessments are not pass-through payments and are recorded as premium revenue and premium tax expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Some states require state directed payments that have minimal risk, but are administered as a premium adjustment. These payments are recorded as premium revenue and medical costs at close to a 100% health benefits ratio (HBR). In many instances, the Company has little visibility to the timing of these payments until they are paid by the state.

Affordable Care Act

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) established risk spreading premium stabilization programs as well as minimum MLR and cost sharing reductions (CSRs). The Company's accounting policies for the programs are as follows:

Risk Adjustment

The permanent risk adjustment program established by the ACA transfers funds from qualified individual and small group insurance plans with below average risk scores to those plans with above average risk scores within each state. The Company estimates the receivable or payable under the risk adjustment program based on its estimated risk score compared to the state average risk score. The Company may record a receivable or payable as an adjustment to premium revenues to reflect the year-to-date impact of the risk adjustment based on its best estimate. The Company refines its estimate as new information becomes available.

Minimum Medical Loss Ratio

Additionally, the ACA established a minimum MLR for the Health Insurance Marketplace. The risk adjustment program described above is taken into consideration to determine if the Company's estimated annual medical costs are less than the minimum MLR and require an adjustment to premium revenues to meet the minimum MLR.

Cost Sharing Reductions

The ACA directs issuers to reduce the Company's members' cost sharing for essential health benefits for individuals with Federal Poverty Levels (FPLs) between 100% and 250% who are enrolled in a silver tier product; eliminate cost sharing for Indians/Alaska Natives with a FPL less than 300% and eliminate cost sharing for Indians/Alaska Natives regardless of FPL when services are provided by an Indian Health Service. In October 2017, the Trump Administration issued an executive order that immediately ceased payments of CSRs to issuers, and beginning in 2018, premium rates for Health Insurance Marketplace were set without factoring in the cost sharing subsidy payments from the federal government. In 2024, the Company reached an agreement with the federal government to retroactively compensate the Company for the difference between its actual CSR experience and its pricing assumptions for 2018 through 2020.

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Premium and Trade Receivables and Unearned Revenue

Premium and service revenues collected in advance are recorded as unearned revenue. For performance-based contracts, the Company does not recognize revenue subject to refund until data is sufficient to measure performance. Premiums and service revenues due to the Company are recorded as premium and trade receivables and are recorded net of an allowance based on historical trends and management's judgment on the collectability of these accounts. As the Company generally receives payments during the month in which services are provided, the allowance is typically not significant in comparison to total revenues and does not have a material impact on the presentation of the financial condition or results of operations. Amounts receivable under federal contracts are comprised primarily of contractually defined billings, accrued contract incentives under the terms of the contract and amounts related to change orders for services not originally specified in the contract.

Activity in the allowance for uncollectible accounts is summarized below ($ in millions):

Year Ended December 31,

Amounts charged to expense 68 58 70

Write-offs of uncollectible receivables (77) (68) (79)

Significant Customers

The Company receives the majority of its revenues under contracts or subcontracts with state Medicaid managed care programs. None of the Company's customers exceeded 10% of total annual revenues for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022.

Other Income (Expense)

Other income (expense) consists routinely of investment income, interest expense and equity method earnings from investments. Investment income is derived from the Company's cash, cash equivalents, restricted deposits and investments. Interest expense relates to borrowings under the senior notes, credit facilities, mortgage and construction loans and capital leases. Further, other income (expense) includes gains or losses on sales of investments, divestitures and acquisitions as well as debt extinguishment costs.

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax law or tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

Valuation allowances are provided when it is considered more likely than not that deferred tax assets will not be realized. In determining if a deductible temporary difference or net operating loss can be realized, the Company considers future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, future taxable income, taxable income in prior carryback periods and tax planning strategies.

Contingencies

The Company accrues for loss contingencies associated with outstanding litigation, claims and assessments for which it has determined it is probable that a loss contingency exists and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company expenses professional fees associated with litigation claims and assessments as incurred.

Stock Based Compensation

Stock based compensation expense is recognized at grant date fair value over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award. Excess tax benefits related to stock compensation are presented as a cash inflow from operating activities. The Company accounts for forfeitures when they occur.

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Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance

In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2023-07 - Segment Reporting: Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures which is intended to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant expenses. The amendments will require public entities to disclose significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision-maker and included within segment profit and loss. The new standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2023, and for interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company adopted the new guidance in the fourth quarter of 2024.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09 - Income taxes: Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures which includes amendments that further enhance income tax disclosures, primarily through standardization and disaggregation of rate reconciliation categories and income taxes paid by jurisdiction. The new standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company early adopted the new guidance in the fourth quarter of 2024, as permissible by the ASU.

Recent Accounting Guidance Not Yet Adopted

In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03 - Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income: Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses which expands disclosures about specific expense categories presented on the face of the Statement of Operations. The new standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2027. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of the new disclosure requirements.

3. Acquisitions and Divestitures

Spanish and Central European Divestiture

On November 16, 2022, the Company completed the divestiture of its ownership stakes in its Spanish and Central European businesses, including Ribera Salud, Torrejón Salud and Pro Diagnostics Group.

During 2022, the Company recorded an impairment charge primarily related to intangible assets and goodwill associated with the divestiture of $163 million, or $140 million after-tax. In 2023, the Company recognized an additional loss on sale of $13 million, or $10 million after-tax, which is included in investment and other income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Magellan Rx Divestiture

On December 2, 2022, the Company completed the divestiture of Magellan Rx for $1,337 million. The Company recognized a gain of $269 million, or $99 million after-tax, which is included in investment and other income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

During 2023, the Company recorded a reduction to the previously reported gain on the divestiture of $22 million, or $10 million after-tax, due to the finalization of working capital adjustments.

Magellan Specialty Health Divestiture

On January 20, 2023, the Company completed the divestiture of Magellan Specialty Health for $646 million in cash and stock, including an estimated working capital adjustment, and recognized a gain of $79 million, or $68 million after-tax. The stock consideration was subsequently sold in April 2023 for cash proceeds of $245 million.

During 2024, the Company recorded an additional gain on the previously reported divestiture of Magellan Specialty Health of $83 million for achievement of contingent consideration related to the sale and finalization of working capital adjustments, which is included in investment and other income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

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Centurion Divestiture

On January 10, 2023, the Company signed and closed a definitive agreement to divest Centurion. During 2022, the Company recorded an impairment charge related to goodwill and other current assets associated with the divestiture of $259 million, or $181 million after-tax. During 2023, the Company recognized a gain of $15 million, or $10 million after-tax, reflecting additional proceeds for contingent consideration, partially offset by net working capital adjustments. The gain is included in investment and other income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

HealthSmart Divestiture

On January 5, 2023, the Company completed the divestiture of HealthSmart. During 2022, the Company recorded an impairment charge related to goodwill associated with the divestiture of $36 million, or $27 million after-tax.

Apixio Divestiture

On June 13, 2023, the Company completed the divestiture of its majority stake in Apixio. During 2023, the Company recognized a pre-tax gain of $93 million, or $67 million after-tax, which is included in investment and other income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Circle Health Group Divestiture

On August 28, 2023, the Company signed a definitive agreement to sell Circle Health, one of the U.K.'s largest independent hospital operators, which is included in the Other segment. As of December 31, 2023, the assets and liabilities of Circle Health were considered held for sale resulting in $3,897 million of assets held for sale in other current assets and $3,094 million of liabilities held for sale in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The majority of the held for sale assets were previously reported as other long-term assets, goodwill and property, software and equipment. The majority of the liabilities were previously reported as debt and other long-term liabilities.

In accordance with the signed definitive agreement in the third quarter of 2023, and subsequently updated in the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company recorded impairment charges related to goodwill associated with the pending divestiture totaling $292 million, or $258 million after-tax.

In order to manage the foreign exchange risk on the sale price associated with the pending divestiture of Circle Health, in August 2023 the Company entered into a foreign currency swap agreement for a notional amount of $931 million, to sell £740 million. The swap agreement was formally designated and qualified as a cash flow hedge. The swap expired on the earlier of the divestiture closing date or March 28, 2024. The gain or loss due to changes in the fair value of the foreign currency swap was recorded in other comprehensive income until the Circle Health divestiture closed, at which time the gain or loss was recorded in earnings to the same line in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as the gain or loss on sale. The fair value of the swap agreement as of December 31, 2023 was $13 million, which was recorded in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

On January 12, 2024, the Company completed the divestiture for $931 million and settled the foreign currency swap. Upon closing the divestiture, the Company settled the foreign currency swap and recorded a corresponding gain of $20 million, which includes the cumulative translation adjustment previously recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The gain is included in investment and other income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company realized a net tax benefit of approximately $40 million on the loss recognized on the divestiture.

Operose Health Group Divestiture

In November 2023, the Company signed a definitive agreement to sell Operose Health and completed the divestiture on December 28, 2023. During 2023, the Company recorded impairment charges to Operose Health primarily related to goodwill, intangible assets and property, software and equipment of $140 million, or $128 million after-tax based on market indicators of fair value.

Collaborative Health Systems Divestiture

In July 2024, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to sell CHS, a management services organization, which is included in the Other segment.

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On October 4, 2024, the Company completed the previously announced sale of CHS. During 2024, the Company recognized a pre-tax gain of $17 million, or $13 million after-tax, which is included in investment and other income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

4. Short-term and Long-term Investments, Restricted Deposits

Short-term and long-term investments and restricted deposits by investment type consist of the following ($ in millions):

Debt securities:

Restricted certificates of deposit 4 — — 4 4 — — 4

The Company's investments are debt securities classified as available-for-sale with the exception of equity securities, certain private equity investments and life insurance contracts. Private equity investments include direct investments in private equity securities as well as private equity funds. In December 2024, the Company impaired a private equity investment for $50 million. The Company's investment policies are designed to provide liquidity, preserve capital and maximize total return on invested assets with a focus on high credit quality securities. The Company limits the size of investment in any single issuer other than U.S. treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies. As of December 31, 2024, 99% of the Company's investments in rated securities carry an investment grade rating by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations. At December 31, 2024, the Company held certificates of deposit, equity securities, private equity investments and life insurance contracts, which did not carry a credit rating. Accrued interest income on available-for-sale debt securities was $178 million and $153 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and is included in other current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Company's residential mortgage-backed securities are primarily issued by the Federal National Mortgage Association, Government National Mortgage Association or Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, which carry implicit or explicit guarantees of the U.S. government. The Company's commercial mortgage-backed securities are primarily senior tranches with a weighted average rating of AA+ and a weighted average duration of 3 years at December 31, 2024.

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The fair value of available-for-sale debt securities with gross unrealized losses by investment type and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position were as follows ($ in millions):

Less Than 12 Months 12 Months or More Less Than 12 Months 12 Months or More

Short-term time deposits — — — — — 31 — —

As of December 31, 2024, the gross unrealized losses were generated from 5,276 positions out of a total of 6,750 positions. The change in fair value of available-for-sale debt securities is primarily a result of movement in interest rates subsequent to the purchase of the security.

For each security in an unrealized loss position, the Company assesses whether it intends to sell the security or if it is more likely than not the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of the amortized cost basis for reasons such as liquidity, contractual or regulatory purposes. If the security meets this criterion, the decline in fair value is recorded in earnings. The Company does not intend to sell these securities prior to maturity and it is not likely that the Company will be required to sell these securities prior to maturity; therefore, the Company did not record an impairment for these securities.

In addition, the Company monitors available-for-sale debt securities for credit losses. Certain investments have experienced a decline in fair value due to changes in credit quality, market interest rates and/or general economic conditions. The Company recognizes an allowance when evidence demonstrates that the decline in fair value is credit related. Evidence of a credit-related loss may include rating agency actions, adverse conditions specifically related to the security or failure of the issuer of the security to make scheduled payments.

The contractual maturities of short-term and long-term debt securities and restricted deposits are as follows ($ in millions):

Investments Restricted Deposits Investments Restricted Deposits

Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities due to call or prepayment options. Equity securities, private equity investments and life insurance contracts are excluded from the table above because they do not have a contractual maturity. The Company has an option to redeem substantially all of the securities included in the greater than ten years category listed above at amortized cost.

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5. Fair Value Measurements

Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets are categorized based upon observable or unobservable inputs used to estimate fair value. Level inputs are as follows:

Level Input: Input Definition:

The following table summarizes fair value measurements by level at December 31, 2024, for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis ($ in millions):

Level I Level II Level III Total

Assets

Cash and cash equivalents $ 14,063 $ — $ — $ 14,063

Investments:

Short-term time deposits — 425 — 425

Residential mortgage-backed securities — 1,679 — 1,679

Commercial mortgage-backed securities — 1,239 — 1,239

Equity securities 13 1 — 14

Restricted deposits:

Cash and cash equivalents $ 93 $ — $ — $ 93

Corporate securities — 2 — 2

Certificates of deposit — 4 — 4

Municipal securities — 758 — 758

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The following table summarizes fair value measurements by level at December 31, 2023, for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis ($ in millions):

Level I Level II Level III Total

Assets

Cash and cash equivalents $ 17,193 $ — $ — $ 17,193

Investments:

Short-term time deposits — 746 — 746

Residential mortgage-backed securities — 1,407 — 1,407