ANTHEM INC - 10-Q Quarterly Report

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period ended September 30, 2004

[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission file number: 001-16751

ANTHEM, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

INDIANA

35-2145715

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

120 MONUMENT CIRCLE

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA

46204-4903

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (317) 488-6000

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes [X] No [ ]

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:


Title of Each Class		Outstanding at October 18, 2004
Common Stock, $0.01 par value		138,789,267 shares

Anthem, Inc.

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

For the Period Ended September 30, 2004

Table of Contents


		Page
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2004 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2003		1
Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 (Unaudited)		2
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 (Unaudited)		3
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 (Unaudited)		4
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)		5

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS		18

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK		48

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES		48

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS		48

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS		50

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES		50

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS		50

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION		50

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS		50

SIGNATURES		51

INDEX TO EXHIBITS		52

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Anthem, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets


*(In Millions, Except Share Data)*	September 30, 2004			December 31, 2003
	(Unaudited)
Assets
Current assets:
Investments available-for-sale, at fair value:
Fixed maturity securities	$	7,040.5		$	6,721.5
Equity securities		196.6			193.7

		7,237.1			6,915.2
Cash and cash equivalents		710.6			464.5
Premium and self-funded receivables		1,115.8			1,068.4
Reinsurance receivables		101.2			96.9
Other receivables		384.1			254.0
Income tax receivables		5.5			8.6
Other current assets		72.4			57.4

Total current assets		9,626.7			8,865.0

Restricted cash and investments		59.2			58.3
Property and equipment		499.8			510.5
Goodwill		2,444.6			2,450.1
Other intangible assets		1,193.4			1,227.0
Prepaid pension benefits		240.7			258.3
Other noncurrent assets		72.1			69.4

Total assets	$	14,136.5		$	13,438.6

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
Liabilities
Current liabilities:
Policy liabilities:
Unpaid life, accident and health claims	$	1,899.3		$	1,866.8
Future policy benefits		380.3			372.6
Other policyholder liabilities		503.4			505.0

Total policy liabilities		2,783.0			2,744.4
Unearned income		395.5			411.1
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		445.7			493.4
Bank overdrafts		378.6			401.7
Income taxes payable		67.3			147.6
Other current liabilities		743.5			573.3

Total current liabilities		4,813.6			4,771.5

Long term debt, less current portion		1,520.4			1,662.8
Postretirement benefits		182.0			188.4
Deferred income taxes		465.7			524.8
Other noncurrent liabilities		354.1			291.2

Total liabilities		7,335.8			7,438.7

Shareholders’ equity
Preferred stock, without par value, shares authorized – 100,000,000; shares issued and outstanding – none		–			–

Common stock, par value $0.01, shares authorized – 900,000,000; shares issued and outstanding: 2004, 138,749,452; 2003, 137,641,034		1.4			1.4
Additional paid in capital		4,810.2			4,708.7
Retained earnings		1,882.3			1,154.3
Unearned restricted stock compensation		(1.8	)		(3.2	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income		108.6			138.7

Total shareholders’ equity		6,800.7			5,999.9

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	14,136.5		$	13,438.6

See accompanying notes.

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Anthem, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Income

(Unaudited)


*(In Millions, Except Per Share Data)*	Three Months Ended September 30				Nine Months Ended September 30
	2004		2003		2004		2003

Revenues
Premiums	$	4,335.3	$	3,857.1	$	12,577.5	$	11,289.0
Administrative fees		344.8		297.4		1,011.5		879.4
Other revenue		48.8		31.3		140.1		92.5

Total operating revenue		4,728.9		4,185.8		13,729.1		12,260.9
Net investment income		67.9		70.8		211.8		207.9
Net realized gains on investments		6.2		5.2		40.7		7.7

		4,803.0		4,261.8		13,981.6		12,476.5


Expenses
Benefit expense		3,583.8		3,123.3		10,343.1		9,177.2
Administrative expense		800.9		783.5		2,377.5		2,273.8
Interest expense		32.9		32.9		97.4		98.6
Amortization of other intangible assets		11.3		11.9		33.7		35.6

		4,428.9		3,951.6		12,851.7		11,585.2


Income before income taxes and minority interest		374.1		310.2		1,129.9		891.3

Income taxes		131.0		112.1		351.7		321.8
Minority interest		1.0		1.6		2.6		4.0

Net income	$	242.1	$	196.5	$	775.6	$	565.5


Net income per share
Basic	$	1.75	$	1.42	$	5.61	$	4.09

Diluted	$	1.70	$	1.38	$	5.43	$	3.98

See accompanying notes.

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Anthem, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity

(Unaudited)


*(In Millions, Except Share Data)*	Common Stock				Additional Paid in Capital			Retained Earnings			Unearned Restricted Stock Compensation			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income			Total Shareholders’ Equity
	Number of Shares		Par Value		Additional Paid in Capital			Retained Earnings			Unearned Restricted Stock Compensation			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income			Total Shareholders’ Equity
Balance at December 31, 2003	137,641,034		$	1.4	$	4,708.7		$	1,154.3		$	(3.2	)	$	138.7		$	5,999.9

Net income	–			–		–			775.6			–			–			775.6
Change in net unrealized losses on investments	–			–		–			–			–			(42.8	)		(42.8	)
Change in unrealized gains on cash flow hedge	–			–		–			–			–			12.7			12.7

Comprehensive income																		745.5
Repurchase and retirement of common stock	(1,000,000	)		–		(34.6	)		(47.6	)		–			–			(82.2	)
Issuance of common stock for stock incentive plan and employee stock purchase plan	2,108,418			–		136.1			–			1.4			–			137.5

Balance at September 30, 2004	138,749,452		$	1.4	$	4,810.2		$	1,882.3		$	(1.8	)	$	108.6		$	6,800.7


Balance at December 31, 2002	139,332,132		$	1.4	$	4,762.2		$	481.3		$	(5.3	)	$	122.7		$	5,362.3

Net income	–			–		–			565.5			–			–			565.5
Change in net unrealized gains on investments	–			–		–			–			–			28.9			28.9

Comprehensive income																		594.4
Repurchase and retirement of common stock	(2,320,800	)		–		(79.3	)		(64.6	)		–			–			(143.9	)
Issuance of common stock for stock incentive plan and employee stock purchase plan	1,185,392			–		38.6			–			1.6			–			40.2

Balance at September 30, 2003	138,196,724		$	1.4	$	4,721.5		$	982.2		$	(3.7	)	$	151.6		$	5,853.0

See accompanying notes.

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Anthem, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)


	Nine Months Ended September 30
*(In Millions)*	2004			2003
Operating activities
Net income	$	775.6		$	565.5
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Net realized gains on investments		(40.7	)		(7.7	)
Depreciation, amortization and accretion		181.0			183.6
Deferred income taxes		0.1			120.6
Gain on sale of assets		(0.4	)		(0.2	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of
effect of purchases and divestitures:
Restricted cash and investments		(1.7	)		(7.9	)
Receivables		(74.0	)		(221.6	)
Other assets		(15.1	)		(1.0	)
Policy liabilities		38.6			(1.0	)
Unearned income		(15.6	)		30.5
Pension and postretirement benefits		11.2			(82.5	)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		(48.4	)		(33.3	)
Other liabilities		(94.7	)		168.6
Income taxes		(33.2	)		12.1

Cash provided by operating activities		682.7			725.7

Investing activities
Purchases of investments		(4,870.1	)		(3,623.3	)
Sales or maturities of investments		4,516.7			3,163.3
Proceeds from settlement of cash flow hedge		20.3			–
Purchases of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired		–			(3.5	)
Sale of subsidiary, net of cash sold		–			(2.8	)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment		1.5			5.2
Purchases of property and equipment		(85.6	)		(83.1	)

Cash used in investing activities		(417.2	)		(544.2	)

Financing activities
Proceeds from long term borrowing and exchange of remarketed subordinated debentures included in Equity Security Units		5.7			–
Payments on long term borrowings		–			(100.0	)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock		(82.2	)		(143.9	)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and employee stock purchase plan		57.1			37.6

Cash used in financing activities		(19.4	)		(206.3	)


Change in cash and cash equivalents		246.1			(24.8	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		464.5			694.9

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	710.6		$	670.1

See accompanying notes.

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Anthem, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

September 30, 2004

(Dollars in Millions, Except Share Data)

1. Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Anthem, Inc. (“Anthem”) and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial reporting. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, including normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements as of and for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 have been recorded. The results of operations for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2004. These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2003 included in Anthem’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

2. Business Combinations

Pending Transaction with WellPoint Health Networks Inc.

On October 27, 2003, Anthem and WellPoint Health Networks Inc. (“WellPoint”) announced that they entered into a definitive agreement and plan of merger (“Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which WellPoint will merge into a wholly-owned subsidiary of Anthem. WellPoint offers a broad spectrum of network-based managed care plans through its subsidiaries, which include those operating under the trade names of Blue Cross of California, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Missouri, Blue Cross Blue Shield United of Wisconsin, HealthLink and UNICARE. WellPoint’s managed care plans include preferred provider organizations, health maintenance organizations and point of service and other hybrid plans and traditional indemnity plans. In addition, WellPoint offers managed care services, including underwriting, actuarial services, network access, medical management and claims processing. WellPoint also provides a broad array of specialty and other products, including pharmacy benefits management, dental, vision, life insurance, preventive care, disability insurance, behavioral health, COBRA and flexible benefits account administration.

Under the Merger Agreement, WellPoint’s stockholders will receive twenty-three dollars and eighty cents in cash and one share of Anthem common stock for each WellPoint share outstanding. The value of the transaction was estimated to be approximately $16,400.0 based on the closing price of Anthem’s common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on October 24, 2003. Regulatory and other approvals have been obtained from the SEC, the Department of Justice, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Anthem shareholders, WellPoint stockholders, and all necessary state regulatory agencies except California. On July 23, 2004, the California Department of Managed Health Care (“DMHC”) approved the merger. Also on July 23, 2004, the California Department of Insurance (“DOI”) Commissioner disapproved the merger. Anthem has carefully reviewed the California DOI Commissioner’s decision and on August 3, 2004, filed a Writ of Mandate in the Superior Court of the State of California. The California DOI Commissioner has filed a motion for dismissal of our petition. A February 25, 2005 trial date has been set for Anthem’s petition for writ of mandate and will now also include the Commissioner’s motion to dismiss. Anthem will continue to evaluate all other available options to secure approval of the merger by the California Department of Insurance. It is currently not known when the transaction will close.

As of September 30, 2004, the Company had capitalized $18.6 of direct costs associated with the WellPoint merger. If Anthem is unable to complete the WellPoint transaction, these capitalized costs will be expensed.

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3. Capital Stock

Stock Repurchase Program

On January 27, 2003, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $500.0 of common stock under a program that will expire in February 2005. Under the program, repurchases may be made from time to time at prevailing prices, subject to certain restrictions on volume, pricing and timing. The excess of cost of the repurchased shares over par value is charged on a pro rata basis to additional paid in capital and retained earnings. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, the Company repurchased and retired 1,000,000 shares at an average share price of $82.24, for an aggregate cost of $82.2. As of September 30, 2004, $200.5 remained authorized for future repurchases.

On October 25, 2004, the Board of Directors authorized an increase of $500.0 to the program and extended the expiration date until February 2006. Total available for repurchase following this authorization is $700.5.

Stock Incentive Plan

The Company’s 2001 Stock Incentive Plan (“Stock Plan”) provides for the granting of stock options, restricted stock awards, performance stock awards, performance awards and stock appreciation rights to eligible employees and non-employee directors. The Stock Plan permits the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors to make grants in such amounts and at such times as it may determine.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2004, 1,097,082 stock options were exercised, at an average exercise price of $37.41 per share, pursuant to both the Stock Plan and the former Trigon Stock Plans, for aggregate total proceeds to the Company of $41.0. For the nine months ended September 30, 2003, 944,100 stock options were exercised, with total proceeds to the Company of $23.1.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2004, the Company granted stock options to purchase 1,995,525 shares to certain eligible employees. The weighted average exercise price of these options was $88.34 per share, the fair value of Anthem’s common stock on the grant dates. During the nine months ended September 30, 2003, the Company granted stock options to purchase 1,808,250 shares to certain eligible employees. The weighted average exercise price of these options was $71.61 per share, the fair value of Anthem’s common stock on the grant dates. These stock options will vest and expire pursuant to terms set by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors and set forth in option grants made.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2004, the Company granted 798,360 shares of stock, including 691,844 shares of restricted stock and 84,218 shares of Anthem common stock under the Company’s 2001 Long Term Incentive Plan. The Company also granted 7,526 shares of restricted stock to Anthem Southeast employees under long-term incentive agreements, 1,586 shares of Anthem common stock to non-employee directors, 11,600 shares of restricted stock and 1,586 shares of Anthem common stock for awards at the fair value of Anthem’s common stock on the grant dates. For grants of restricted stock, other than those awarded under long-term incentive agreements, unearned compensation equivalent to the fair value of Anthem’s common stock at the date of grant is recorded as a separate component of shareholders’ equity and subsequently amortized to compensation expense over the vesting period. Compensation expense related to vesting restricted stock was $0.6 and $1.8 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, respectively. Compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 was $0.6 and $1.7, respectively.

Stock options and restricted stock awards are not considered outstanding in computing the weighted-average number of shares outstanding for basic earnings per share, but are included, from the grant date, in determining diluted earnings per share using the treasury stock method. Stock options are dilutive in periods when the average market price exceeds the grant price. Restricted stock awards are dilutive when the aggregate fair value exceeds the amount of unearned compensation remaining to be amortized.

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Employee Stock Purchase Plan

For the nine months ended September 30, 2004, employee purchases under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan were 242,415 shares, with a total purchase amount of $16.2. For the nine months ended September 30, 2003, total shares purchased were 278,742 with a total purchase amount of $14.4. As of September 30, 2004, payroll deductions of $1.3 have been accumulated toward purchases for the four-month period ending December 31, 2004. Beginning September 1, 2004, the Company changed its Employee Stock Purchase Plan purchase date to coincide with the calendar quarter end. This will result in a one-time, four-month purchase period from September 1, 2004 to December 31, 2004.

Pro Forma Disclosure

The Company continues to account for its stock-based compensation using the intrinsic method under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and accordingly, does not recognize compensation expense related to stock options and employee stock purchases. The Company has adopted the disclosure requirements of FAS 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, as amended by FAS 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation-Transition and Disclosure.

Pro forma information regarding net income and earnings per share has been determined as if the Company accounted for its stock-based compensation using the fair value method. For purposes of pro forma disclosures, compensation expense is increased for the estimated fair value of the options amortized over the options’ vesting periods and for the difference between the market price of the stock and discounted purchase price of the shares on the purchase date for the employee stock purchases. The stock-based employee compensation expense included in reported net income represents compensation expense from restricted stock awards being amortized over the awards vesting period. The Company’s pro forma information is as follows:


	Three Months Ended September 30						Nine Months Ended September 30
	2004			2003			2004			2003

Reported net income	$	242.1		$	196.5		$	775.6		$	565.5
Add: Stock-based employee compensation expense for restricted stock awards included in reported net income (net of tax)		0.5			0.5			1.3			1.3
Less: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards (net of tax)		(9.7	)		(7.2	)		(23.9	)		(18.0	)

Pro forma net income	$	232.9		$	189.8		$	753.0		$	548.8


Earnings per share:
Basic – as reported	$	1.75		$	1.42		$	5.61		$	4.09
Basic – pro forma	$	1.68		$	1.37		$	5.45		$	3.96

Diluted – as reported	$	1.70		$	1.38		$	5.43		$	3.98
Diluted – pro forma	$	1.63		$	1.33		$	5.28		$	3.86

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4. Earnings Per Share

The denominator for basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 is as follows:


	Three Months Ended September 30		Nine Months Ended September 30
	2004	2003	2004	2003
Denominator for basic earnings per share – weighted average shares	138,405,062	138,292,485	138,272,688	138,409,968
Effect of dilutive securities:
Employee and director stock options and non vested restricted stock awards	1,798,188	1,276,652	1,687,274	1,278,464
Shares to be contingently issued under long term incentive plan	–	930,884	257,274	438,013
Incremental shares from conversion of Equity Security Unit purchase contracts	2,527,086	2,152,857	2,557,499	1,865,830

Denominator for diluted earnings per share	142,730,336	142,652,878	142,774,735	141,992,275

The shares to be contingently issued under Anthem’s long term incentive plan were issued on April 2, 2004.

5. Long Term Debt

The carrying value of long-term debt consists of the following:


	September 30, 2004			December 31, 2003

Surplus notes at 9.125% due 2010	$	297.1		$	296.7
Surplus notes at 9.000% due 2027		197.5			197.4
Senior unsecured notes at 6.800% due 2012		791.5			790.7
Senior unsecured notes at 4.875% due 2005		149.7			149.4
Subordinated debentures included in Equity Security Units at 5.950% due 2006		–			224.3
Subordinated debentures at 4.655% due 2006		39.3			–
Senior unsecured notes at 3.50% due 2007		192.2			–
Other		4.3			4.7

Long term debt		1,671.6			1,663.2
Current portion of long term debt		(151.2	)		(0.4	)

Long term debt, less current portion	$	1,520.4		$	1,662.8

Senior unsecured 4.875% notes of $149.7, which mature in August 2005, are reported with other current liabilities at September 30, 2004.

Anthem will have cash requirements of approximately $4,000.0 for the pending transaction with WellPoint (see Note 2), including both the cash portion of the purchase price and estimated transaction costs. During October 2003, Anthem obtained a commitment for a bridge loan of up to $3,000.0. During September 2004, the bridge loan was extended. All indebtedness under the bridge loan must be repaid in full no later than December 31, 2005. Additionally, as of September 30, 2004, Anthem had $1,110.5 of cash, cash equivalents and investments and access to $1,000.0 of credit facilities, as discussed below.

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On August 30, 2004, Anthem renewed its $600.0 revolving credit facility, extending the maturity date to June 28, 2005. Any amounts outstanding under this facility at June 28, 2005 (except amounts that bear interest rates determined by a competitive bidding process) convert to a term loan at Anthem’s option, which expires on June 28, 2006. There were no material changes in terms, including required compliance with certain covenants, from the previous facility. Anthem’s $400.0 revolving credit facility, which expires November 5, 2006, continues to be effective. There were no borrowings under any of these facilities during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004.

There were no borrowings under Anthem’s commercial paper program during the three or nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003.

In August 2004, Anthem completed a remarketing of its $230.0 of 5.95% subordinated debentures included in Equity Security Units, as required under the terms of the Equity Security Units issued in November 2001. As a result of the remarketing, the interest rate on the subordinated debentures was reset to 4.655%.

Proceeds from the remarketing were used to purchase U.S. Treasury securities being held by a collateral agent to satisfy the stock purchase contract portion of the Equity Security Units. In November 2004, Anthem expects to receive $230.0 from the collateral agent, and intends to issue approximately 5,244,000 shares of Anthem common stock pursuant to the purchase contract portion of the Equity Security Units.

In connection with the remarketing, in August 2004, using its shelf registration program, Anthem issued $200.0 of 3.50% Notes due 2007, which were used to exchange and retire $190.0 aggregate principal amount of the 4.655% remarketed subordinated debentures. Anthem also received approximately $4.7 of cash proceeds, net of underwriting discounts and offering expenses. Following the issuance of the 3.50% Notes due 2007, $40.0 of aggregate principal amount of the 4.655% remarketed debentures remains outstanding, and will mature in November 2006.

On October 25, 2004, the Board of Directors authorized management to repurchase and retire $40.0 aggregate principal amount of 4.655% subordinated debentures due 2006. Anthem anticipates completing this transaction in the fourth quarter of 2004.

6. Hedging Activity

The Company uses derivative financial instruments to manage interest rate risk. The objective of the Company in using derivatives is to reduce the risks associated with borrowing activities. FAS 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended, requires that derivatives be recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. Unrealized gains from derivatives are carried as other current assets and unrealized losses are reported as other current liabilities. Derivatives designated as hedges for accounting purposes must be considered highly effective at reducing the risk associated with the exposure being hedged. The Company does not use derivatives for speculative purposes.

Cash Flow Hedges

During the nine months ended September 30, 2004, the Company entered into forward starting pay fixed swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $1,000.0. The objective of these hedges is to eliminate the variability of cash flows in the interest payments on the expected issuance of debt securities to be used to partially fund the cash portion of the WellPoint transaction.

Since the timeline for completing the WellPoint transaction is uncertain, on July 30, 2004 the Company terminated the swaps and received $20.3, the fair value at the time of termination. The Company recorded an unrealized gain of $13.2, net of tax, as accumulated other comprehensive income. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, the Company reclassified $0.7 ($0.5 net of tax) to net realized gains on investments for the portion of the hedges that were deemed not probable of occurring. Since it is still possible, as of September 30, 2004, that the WellPoint transaction and associated debt offering will occur in the future, unrealized gains of $12.7, net of tax, are reported with accumulated other comprehensive income.

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Following the expected issuance of debt securities, any balances in accumulated other comprehensive income will be amortized into earnings over the life of the debt securities. As of September 30, 2004, the total amount of such amortization over the next twelve months would decrease interest expense by approximately $1.1. If it becomes probable that the forecasted interest payments will not occur within the anticipated time period, unrealized gains on the cash flow hedges will be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to earnings.

7. Comprehensive Income

The components of comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 are as follows:


	Three Months Ended September 30						Nine Months Ended September 30
	2004			2003			2004			2003

Net income	$	242.1		$	196.5		$	775.6		$	565.5
Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on investments		69.7			(48.7	)		(42.8	)		28.9
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedge		(8.1	)		–			12.7			–

Comprehensive income	$	303.7		$	147.8		$	745.5		$	594.4

8. Income Taxes

As a result of legislation enacted in Indiana on March 16, 2004, Anthem recorded deferred tax assets and liabilities, with a corresponding net tax benefit in the income statement of $44.8, or $0.32 per basic share and $0.31 per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2004. The legislation eliminated the creation of tax credits resulting from the payment of future assessments to the Indiana Comprehensive Health Insurance Association (“ICHIA”), Indiana’s high-risk health insurance pool. Under the new legislation, ICHIA tax credits are limited to any unused ICHIA assessment paid prior to December 31, 2004. A valuation allowance of $5.6 was established for the portion of the deferred tax asset, which the Company believes, will likely not be utilized. There is no carryforward limitation on the tax credits and the net operating loss carryforwards do not begin to expire until 2018.

9. Retirement Benefits

The components of net periodic benefit cost included in the consolidated statements of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 are as follows:


	Three Months Ended September 30
	Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
	2004			2003			2004			2003

Service cost	$	11.8		$	11.2		$	1.0		$	0.3
Interest cost		13.0			13.3			3.4			2.7
Expected return on assets		(17.3	)		(18.0	)		(0.6	)		(0.6	)
Recognized actuarial loss (gain)		3.6			0.6			(0.2	)		(0.2	)
Amortization of prior service cost		(0.9	)		(1.0	)		(1.6	)		(1.7	)

Net periodic benefit cost	$	10.2		$	6.1		$	2.0		$	0.5

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	Nine Months Ended September 30
	Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
	2004			2003			2004			2003

Service cost	$	35.1		$	32.8		$	3.0		$	1.5
Interest cost		39.3			39.2			10.8			9.5
Expected return on assets		(51.9	)		(54.3	)		(1.9	)		(1.8	)
Recognized actuarial loss (gain)		10.8			2.1			0.5			(0.5	)
Amortization of prior service cost		(2.7	)		(3.0	)		(4.7	)		(4.9	)

Net periodic benefit cost	$	30.6		$	16.8		$	7.7		$	3.8

For the year ending December 31, 2004, no contributions are required under ERISA, however, the Company made a $10.0 million tax deductible discretionary contribution during the three months ended September 30, 2004. No further contributions are expected in 2004.

The “Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003” became law in December 2003 and expanded Medicare, primarily adding a prescription drug benefit for Medicare-eligible retirees starting in 2006. The Company anticipates that the benefits it pays in 2006 and beyond will be lower as a result of the new Medicare provisions. As permitted by Financial Accounting Standards Board Staff Position (“FSP”) 106-1, Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, the Company deferred the recognition of the impact of the new Medicare provisions at December 31, 2003. During 2004, FSP 106-2 was issued and included final guidance on accounting for the provisions of this legislation. As required by FSP 106-2, Anthem accounted for the impact in the quarter ending September 30, 2004 using the prospective method. The impact of adopting FSP 106-2, while accretive to earnings, is not material to the consolidated financial statements.

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10. Segment Information

Financial data by reportable segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 is as follows:


	Midwest		East			West			Southeast		Specialty		Other and Eliminations			Total
Three Months Ended September 30, 2004
Operating revenue from external customers	$	1,961.5	$	1,274.7		$	300.4		$	1,062.2	$	84.2	$	45.9		$	4,728.9
Intersegment revenues		4.5		(18.3	)		(0.7	)		3.1		194.9		(183.5	)		–
Operating gain (loss)		145.3		82.3			24.1			94.0		19.5		(21.0	)		344.2

Three Months Ended September 30, 2003
Operating revenue from external customers		1,690.7		1,173.1			265.2			948.3		64.7		43.8			4,185.8
Intersegment revenues		2.9		(12.6	)		1.4			2.1		129.5		(123.3	)		–
Operating gain (loss)		108.9		75.4			32.6			82.0		18.7		(38.6	)		279.0

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004
Operating revenue from external customers		5,714.5		3,665.1			864.2			3,104.5		245.4		135.4			13,729.1
Intersegment revenues		12.9		(54.2	)		(1.1	)		7.1		563.7		(528.4	)		–
Operating gain (loss)		390.0		231.6			77.8			301.6		54.9		(47.4	)		1008.5

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003
Operating revenue from external customers		4,952.2		3,423.4			770.5			2,790.2		182.1		142.5			12,260.9
Intersegment revenues		8.1		(36.4	)		3.6			5.1		351.3		(331.7	)		–
Operating gain (loss)		323.6		212.8			79.9			243.4		47.6		(97.4	)		809.9

A reconciliation of reportable segments operating revenues to the amounts of total revenues included in the consolidated statements of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 is as follows:


	Three Months Ended September 30				Nine Months Ended September 30
	2004		2003		2004		2003

Reportable segments operating revenues	$	4,728.9	$	4,185.8	$	13,729.1	$	12,260.9
Net investment income		67.9		70.8		211.8		207.9
Net realized gains on investments		6.2		5.2		40.7		7.7

Total revenues	$	4,803.0	$	4,261.8	$	13,981.6	$	12,476.5

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A reconciliation of reportable segments operating gain to income before income taxes and minority interest included in the consolidated statements of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 is as follows:


	Three Months Ended September 30						Nine Months Ended September 30
	2004			2003			2004			2003

Reportable segments operating gain	$	344.2		$	279.0		$	1,008.5		$	809.9
Net investment income		67.9			70.8			211.8			207.9
Net realized gains on investments		6.2			5.2			40.7			7.7
Interest expense		(32.9	)		(32.9	)		(97.4	)		(98.6	)
Amortization of other intangible assets		(11.3	)		(11.9	)		(33.7	)		(35.6	)

Income before income taxes and minority interest	$	374.1		$	310.2		$	1,129.9		$	891.3

11. Contingencies

Litigation

A number of managed care organizations have been sued in class action lawsuits asserting various causes of action under federal and state law. These lawsuits typically allege that the defendant managed care organizations employ policies and procedures for providing health care benefits that are inconsistent with the terms of the coverage documents and other information provided to their members, and because of these misrepresentations and practices, a class of members has been injured in that they received benefits of lesser value than the benefits represented to and paid for by such members. One such proceeding was brought by the Connecticut Attorney General on behalf of a purported class of HMO and Point of Service members in Connecticut. No monetary damages are sought, although the suit does seek injunctive relief from the court to preclude the Company from allegedly utilizing arbitrary coverage guidelines, making late payments to providers or members, denying coverage for medically necessary prescription drugs and misrepresenting or failing to disclose essential information to enrollees. The complaint contends that these alleged policies and practices are a violation of ERISA. This case was dismissed by the trial court on September 19, 2003; the Connecticut Attorney General filed a motion for reconsideration by the trial court, which was denied on October 1, 2003. The Attorney General filed an appeal to the Eleventh Circuit on December 1, 2003. The Eleventh Circuit heard oral argument on August 11, 2004. On September 10, 2004, the Eleventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal by the trial court.

In addition, the Company’s Connecticut subsidiary is a defendant in three class action lawsuits brought on behalf of professional providers in Connecticut. The suits allege that the Connecticut subsidiary has breached its contracts by, among other things, failing to pay for services in accordance with the terms of the contracts. The suits also allege violations of the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act, breach of the implied duty of good faith and fair dealing, negligent misrepresentation and unjust enrichment. Two of the suits seek injunctive relief and monetary damages (both compensatory and punitive). The third suit, brought by the Connecticut State Medical Society, seeks injunctive relief only. Two of the suits were transferred to the Multi District Litigation (“MDL”) docket in Miami, Florida, as tag-along cases. All of the tag-along cases in the MDL are being stayed, until all motions in the main provider track cases have been ruled on.

On July 19, 2001, the Connecticut state court suit was certified as a class action as to three of the plaintiff’s fifteen allegations. The class is defined as those physicians who practice in Connecticut or group practices which are located in Connecticut that were parties to either a Participating Physician Agreement or a Participating Physicians Group Agreement with the Company and/or its Connecticut subsidiary during the period from 1993 to the present, excluding risk-sharing arrangements and certain other contracts. The claims which were certified as class claims are: the Company’s alleged failure to provide plaintiffs and other similarly situated physicians with consistent medical utilization/quality management and administration of covered services by paying financial incentive and performance bonuses to providers and the Company’s staff members involved in making utilization

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management decisions; an alleged failure to maintain accurate books and records whereby improper payments to the plaintiffs were made based on claim codes submitted; and an alleged failure to provide senior personnel to work with plaintiffs and other similarly situated physicians. The Company appealed the class certification decision, and on September 22, 2003, the Connecticut Supreme Court reversed the class certification decision, and remanded the matter back to the trial court for further proceedings. On June 16, 2004, the trial court certified a class as to four claims. The class claims certified are: the Company’s alleged failure to provide plaintiffs and other similarly situated physicians with consistent medical utilization/quality management and administration of covered services by paying financial incentive and performance bonuses to providers and the Company’s staff members involved in making utilization management decisions; an alleged failure to maintain accurate books and records whereby improper payments to the plaintiffs were made based on claim codes submitted; an alleged failure to provide senior personnel to work with plaintiffs and other similarly situated physicians; and alleged provider profiling by the Company. An appeal of the class certification decision was filed on July 6, 2004 with the Connecticut Supreme Court. Briefing is proceeding in the Connecticut Supreme Court and the Court has not set a date for oral argument. The trial court proceedings are currently stayed.

On October 10, 2001, the Connecticut State Dental Association and five dental providers filed suit against the Company’s Connecticut subsidiary. The suit alleged breach of contract and violation of the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act. The suit was voluntarily withdrawn on November 9, 2001. The claims were refiled on April 15, 2002, as two separate suits; one by the Connecticut State Dental Association and the second by two dental providers, purportedly on behalf of a class of dental providers. Both suits seek injunctive relief, and unspecified monetary damages (both compensatory and punitive). Both cases were transferred to the MDL docket as tag-along cases, and have been consolidated with the MDL suits pending before Judge Moreno in Miami, Florida. Both cases are being stayed, as are all of the tag-along suits in the MDL.

On September 26, 2002, Anthem was added as a defendant to a MDL class action lawsuit pending in Miami, Florida brought on behalf of individual doctors and several medical societies. Defendants include a number of other managed health care organizations. The managed care litigation around the country has been consolidated to the U.S. District Court in Miami, Florida, under MDL rules. The Court has split the case into two groups, a “provider track” involving claims by doctors, osteopaths, and other professional providers, and a “subscriber track” involving claims by subscribers or members of the various health plan defendants. The complaint against Anthem and the other defendants alleges that the defendants do not properly pay claims, but instead “down-code” claims, improperly “bundle” claims, use erroneous or improper cost criteria to evaluate claims and delay paying proper claims. The suit also alleges that the defendants operate a common scheme and conspiracy in violation of the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”). The suit seeks declaratory and injunctive relief, unspecified monetary damages, treble damages under RICO and punitive damages. The court certified a class in the provider track cases on September 26, 2002, but denied class certification in the subscriber track cases. Defendants in the provider track cases sought, and on November 20, 2002 were granted, an interlocutory appeal of the class certification in the Eleventh Circuit. Due to the Company’s late addition to the case, it was not included in the September 26, 2002 class certification order, and is therefore not part of the appeal; however, the Company may be affected by the outcome of the appeal. The appeal was argued to the Eleventh Circuit panel on September 11, 2003. On September 1, 2004, the Eleventh Circuit issued an opinion affirming the trial court’s class certification of all RICO claims, and reversing the trial court’s class certification on all state law claims. Defendants filed a petition for certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court on October 15, 2004. Seperately, defendants appealed to the Eleventh Circuit an earlier trial court ruling denying in part motions to enforce the arbitration clauses in the contracts between the physicians and the managed care organizations. The trial court proceedings were stayed by the Eleventh Circuit, pending a ruling on such appeal.

On May 22, 2003, in a case titled Kenneth Thomas, M.D., et al., v. Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, et al., several medical providers filed suit in federal court in Miami, Florida against the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans across the country, including the Company. The suit alleges that the BCBS Association and the BCBS Plans violated RICO and challenges many of the same practices as other suits in the MDL. This case has been assigned to Judge Moreno in Miami, and is in the early stages of pleading.

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On May 8, 2003, in a case titled Dr. Allen Knecht, et al., v. Cigna, et al., several chiropractors filed a purported class action in federal court in Portland, Oregon, naming several Blue Cross Blue Shield Plans, including the Company, as well as several commercial insurers. This case also alleges that the defendants violated RICO and challenges many of the same practices in regards to chiropractors. This case has been transferred to the MDL docket and is now assigned to Judge Moreno in Miami. This case has been stayed as a tag-along case to the MDL proceedings.

On October 17, 2003, in a case titled Jeffrey Solomon, D.C., et al., v. Cigna, et al., several chiropractors and a podiatrist, along with chiropractic and podiatric associations, filed suit in federal court in Miami, Florida, against ten managed care corporations, including the Company. The suit alleges that the companies violated RICO and challenges many of the same practices as other suits in the MDL. This case has been transferred to the MDL docket and is now assigned to Judge Moreno in Miami. This case has been stayed as a tag-along case to the MDL proceedings.

On November 4, 2003, in a case titled Jeffrey Solomon, D.C., et al., v. Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, et al., several chiropractors, podiatrists, a psychologist and a physical therapist, along with their professional corporations and trade associations, filed suit in federal court in Miami, Florida against the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans across the country, including the Company. The suit alleges that the BCBS Association and the BCBS Plans violated RICO and challenges many of the same practices as other suits in the MDL. This case has been transferred to the MDL docket and is now assigned to Judge Moreno. This case is in the early stages of the pleadings.

On February 23, 2004, in a case titled Richard Freiberg, et al., v. United Healthcare, Inc., et al., an acupuncturist and an association promoting acupuncture, filed suit in federal court in Miami, Florida against ten managed care corporations, including the Company. The complaint purports to be a class action filed on behalf of all non-doctor health care providers, and alleges that the companies involved violated RICO, and challenges many of the same practices as other suits in the MDL proceedings. This case has been stayed as a tag-along case in the MDL proceedings.

The Company intends to vigorously defend all these proceedings; however, their ultimate outcomes cannot presently be determined.

On March 11, 1998, Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. (“Anthem Insurance”) and its Ohio subsidiary, Community Insurance Company (“CIC”) were named as defendants in a lawsuit, Robert Lee Dardinger, Executor of the Estate of Esther Louise Dardinger v. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, et al., filed in the Licking County Court of Common Pleas in Newark, Ohio. The plaintiff sought compensatory damages and unspecified punitive damages in connection with claims alleging wrongful death, bad faith and negligence arising out of CIC’s denial of certain claims for medical treatment for Ms. Dardinger. In December 2001, CIC paid $2.5 in compensatory damages for bad faith and $1,350 (actual dollars) for breach of contract, plus accrued interest. In March 2003, Anthem Insurance and CIC paid punitive damages of $30.0 plus interest. Following the March 2003 payment and Satisfaction of Judgment, this matter has been terminated and in March 2003, the Company released pretax reserves of $24.5 to income, which resulted in an after tax benefit of $0.11 per diluted share for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.

Anthem’s primary Ohio subsidiary and primary Kentucky subsidiary were sued on June 27, 2002, in their respective state courts. The suits were brought by the Academy of Medicine of Cincinnati, as well as individual physicians, and purport to be class action suits brought on behalf of all physicians practicing in the greater Cincinnati area and in the Northern Kentucky area, respectively. In addition to the Anthem subsidiaries, both suits name Aetna, United Healthcare and Humana as defendants. The first suit, captioned Academy of Medicine of Cincinnati and Luis Pagani, M.D. v. Aetna Health, Inc., Humana Health Plan of Ohio, Inc., Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and United Health Care of Ohio, Inc., No. A02004947 was filed on June 27, 2002 in the Court of Common Pleas, Hamilton County, Ohio. The second suit, captioned Academy of Medicine of Cincinnati and A. Lee Greiner, M.D., Victor Schmelzer, M.D., and Karl S. Ulicny, Jr., M.D. v. Aetna Health, Inc., Humana, Inc., Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and United Health Care, Inc., No. 02-CI-903 was filed on June 27, 2002 in the Boone County, Kentucky Circuit Court. Both suits allege that the four companies acted in

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combination and collusion with one another to reduce the reimbursement rates paid to physicians in the area. The suits allege that as a direct result of the defendants’ alleged anti-competitive actions, health care in the area has suffered, namely that: there are fewer hospitals; physicians are rapidly leaving the area; medical practices are unable to hire new physicians; and, from the perspective of the public, the availability of health care has been significantly reduced. Each suit alleges that these actions violate the respective state’s antitrust and unfair competition laws, and each suit seeks class certification, compensatory damages, attorneys’ fees, and injunctive relief to prevent the alleged anti-competitive behavior against the class in the future. Motions to dismiss or to send the cases to binding arbitration, per the provider contracts, were filed in both courts. The Ohio court overruled the motions on January 21, 2003 and the Kentucky court overruled the motions on February 19, 2003. Defendants have appealed both rulings. The Ohio appeal was heard on September 23, 2003. The Ohio appellate court affirmed the trial court’s ruling on November 21, 2003. On January 2, 2004, Anthem filed a motion seeking a discretionary appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court. The Court accepted the case for review on April 13, 2004. Briefing is complete in the Ohio Supreme Court and the Court has not set a date for oral argument. In the Kentucky case, oral argument was heard on August 11, 2004, before the Kentucky Court of Appeals. Plaintiffs filed a motion for class certification, which was heard and rejected by the trial court on July 24, 2003. Plaintiffs filed a renewed motion for class certification, which was heard and rejected on October 24, 2003. These suits are in the preliminary stages. The Company intends to vigorously defend the suits and believes that any liability from these suits will not have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.

On October 25, 1995, Anthem Insurance and two Indiana affiliates were named as defendants in a lawsuit titled Dr. William Lewis, et al. v. Associated Medical Networks, Ltd., et al., that was filed in the Superior Court of Lake County, Indiana. The plaintiffs are three related health care providers. The health care providers assert that the Company failed to honor contractual assignments of health insurance benefits and violated equitable liens held by the health care providers by not paying directly to them the health insurance benefits for medical treatment rendered to patients who had insurance with the Company. The Company paid its customers’ claims for the health care providers’ services by sending payments to its customers as called for by their insurance policies, and the health care providers assert that the patients failed to use the insurance benefits to pay for the health care providers’ services. The plaintiffs filed the case as a class action on behalf of similarly situated health care providers and seek compensatory damages in unspecified amounts for the insurance benefits not paid to the class members, plus prejudgment interest. The case was transferred to the Superior Court of Marion County, Indiana, where it is now pending. On December 3, 2001, the Court entered summary judgment for the Company on the health care providers’ equitable lien claims. The Court also entered summary judgment for the Company on the health care providers’ contractual assignments claims to the extent that the health care providers do not hold effective assignments of insurance benefits from patients. On the same date, the Court certified the case as a class action. As limited by the summary judgment order, the class consists of health care providers in Indiana who (1) were not in one of the Company’s networks, (2) did not receive direct payment from the Company for services rendered to a patient covered by one of the Company’s insurance policies that is not subject to ERISA, (3) were not paid by the patient (or were otherwise damaged by the Company’s payment to its customer instead of to the health care provider), and (4) had an effective assignment of insurance benefits from the patient. The Company filed a motion seeking an interlocutory appeal of the class certification order in the Indiana Court of Appeals. On May 20, 2002 the Indiana Court of Appeals granted the Company’s motion seeking an interlocutory appeal of the class certification order. In February 2003, the Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court’s class certification. The Company filed a petition for the transfer to the Indiana Supreme Court in March 2003. The petition for transfer was argued on October 2, 2003, and the Indiana Supreme Court accepted transfer in an order dated October 2, 2003. An opinion will be issued in due course. In any event, the Company intends to continue to vigorously defend the case and believes that any liability that may result from the case will not have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.

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investigations by state insurance departments, state attorneys general and U.S. Attorney General. Such investigations could result in the imposition of civil or criminal fines, penalties and other sanctions. The Company believes that any liability that may result from any one of these actions is unlikely to have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Other Contingencies

The Company serves as a fiscal intermediary for Medicare Parts A and B. The fiscal intermediaries for these programs receive reimbursement for certain costs and expenditures, which is subject to adjustment upon audit by the Federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, formerly the Health Care Financing Administration. The laws and regulations governing fiscal intermediaries for the Medicare program are complex, subject to interpretation and can expose an intermediary to penalties for non-compliance. Fiscal intermediaries may be subject to criminal fines, civil penalties or other sanctions as a result of such audits or reviews. While the Company believes it is currently in compliance in all material respects with the regulations governing fiscal intermediaries, there are ongoing reviews by the federal government of the Company’s activities under certain of its Medicare fiscal intermediary contracts.

AdminaStar Federal, Inc. (“AdminaStar”), a subsidiary of Anthem Insurance, has received several subpoenas prior to May 2000 from the Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) and the U.S. Department of Justice, one seeking documents and information concerning its responsibilities as a Medicare Part B contractor in its Kentucky office, and the others requesting certain financial records and information of AdminaStar and Anthem Insurance related to the Company’s Medicare fiscal intermediary (Part A) and carrier (Part B) operations. The Company has made certain disclosures to the government relating to its Medicare Part B operations in Kentucky. The Company was advised by the government that, in conjunction with its ongoing review of these matters, the government has also been reviewing separate allegations made by individuals against AdminaStar, which are included within the same timeframe and involve issues arising from the same nucleus of operative facts as the government’s ongoing review. The Company is not in a position to predict either the ultimate outcome of these reviews or the extent of any potential exposure should claims be made against the Company. However, the Company believes any fines or penalties that may arise from these reviews would not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position or results of operations.

As a Blue Cross Blue Shield Association licensee, the Company participates in the Federal Employee Program (“FEP”), a nationwide contract with the Federal Office of Personnel Management to provide coverage to federal employees and their dependents. On July 11, 2001, the Company received a subpoena from the OIG, Office of Personnel Management, seeking certain financial documents and information, including information concerning intercompany transactions, related to operations in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky under the FEP contract. The government has advised the Company that, in conjunction with its ongoing review, the government is also reviewing a separate allegation made by an individual against the Company’s FEP operations, which is included within the same timeframe and involves issues arising from the same nucleus of operative facts as the government’s ongoing review. The Company is currently cooperating with the OIG and the U.S. Department of Justice on these matters. The ultimate outcome of these reviews cannot be determined at this time.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

References to the terms “we”, “our”, or “us” used throughout this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, refer to Anthem, Inc., an Indiana holding company, and its direct and indirect subsidiaries.

The structure of our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is as follows:

Overview

II.	Significant Transactions

III.	Membership—September 30, 2004 Compared to September 30, 2003

IV.	Cost of Care

V.	Results of Operations—Three Months Ended September 30, 2004 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2003

VI.	Results of Operations—Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004 Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003

VII.	Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

VIII.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

IX.	Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

I.	Overview

We are one of the nation’s leading health benefits companies and we operate as an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, or BCBSA. We offer Blue Cross and Blue Shield branded products to customers throughout Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine, Colorado, Nevada and Virginia (excluding the immediate suburbs of Washington, D.C.). As of September 30, 2004, we provided health benefit services to more than 12.7 million members.

Our health business segments are strategic business units delineated by geographic areas within which we offer similar products and services. Our health business segments are: Midwest, which includes Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio; East, which includes Connecticut, New Hampshire and Maine; West, which includes Colorado and Nevada; and Southeast, which is Virginia, excluding the immediate suburbs of Washington D.C.

In addition to our four health business segments, our reportable segments include a Specialty segment that is comprised of businesses providing group life and disability insurance benefits, pharmacy benefit management, dental and vision administration services and behavioral health benefits services. Our Specialty segment provides products and services to customers in all of our health segments, and is not delineated by geography.

Our Other segment is comprised of AdminaStar Federal, which administers Medicare programs in multiple states, including Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, Maine and New Hampshire; intersegment revenue and expense eliminations; and corporate expenses not allocated to our health or Specialty segments.

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We offer a diversified mix of managed care products, including preferred provider organizations or PPOs, health maintenance organizations or HMOs, traditional indemnity benefits to members of our fully-insured products and point of service or POS plans. We also offer a variety of hybrid benefit plans, including consumer directed products. Additionally, we provide a broad array of managed care services to self-funded customers, including claims processing, underwriting, stop loss insurance, actuarial services, provider network access, medical cost management and other administrative services.

Our operating revenue consists of premiums, administrative fees and other revenue. The premiums come from fully-insured contracts where we indemnify our policyholders against costs for health and life benefits. Our administrative fees come from contracts where our customers are self-insured, from the administration of Medicare programs and from other health-related businesses including disease management programs. Other revenue is principally generated from member co-payments and deductibles associated with the mail-order sale of drugs by our pharmacy benefit management company.

Our benefit expense includes costs of care for health services consumed by our members such as outpatient care, inpatient hospital care, professional services (primarily physician care) and pharmacy benefit costs. All four components are affected both by unit costs and utilization rates. Unit costs include the cost of outpatient medical procedures per visit, inpatient hospital care per admission, physician fees per office visit and prescription drug prices. Utilization rates represent the volume of consumption of health services and typically vary with the age and health of our members and their social and lifestyle choices, along with clinical protocols and customs in each of our markets. A portion of benefit expense recognized in each reporting period consists of actuarial estimates of claims incurred but not yet paid by us.

Our administrative expense consists of fixed and variable costs. Examples of fixed costs are depreciation and amortization and facilities expenses. Other costs are variable or discretionary in nature. Certain variable costs, such as broker and commission expenses and premium taxes, vary directly with premium volume. Other variable costs, such as salaries and benefits, do not vary directly with changes in premium, but are more aligned with changes in membership. The acquisition or loss of a significant block of business would likely impact staffing levels, and thus salary and benefit expense. Discretionary costs include professional and consulting expenses and advertising. Other factors can impact our administrative cost structure, including systems efficiencies, inflation and changes in productivity.

Our results of operations depend in large part on our ability to accurately predict and effectively manage health care costs through effective contracting with providers of care to our members. Several economic factors related to health care costs such as regulatory mandates of coverage and direct-to-consumer advertising by providers and pharmaceutical companies have a direct impact on the volume of care consumed by our members. The potential effect of escalating health care costs as well as any changes in our ability to negotiate competitive rates with our providers may impose further risks to our ability to profitably underwrite our business, and may have a material impact on our results of operations.

This management’s discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2003 and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in conjunction with our unaudited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 included in this Form 10-Q. Results of operations, cost of care trends, investment yields and other measures for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the results and trends that may be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2004.

II. Significant Transactions

On October 27, 2003, we and WellPoint Health Networks Inc., or WellPoint, announced that we entered into a definitive agreement and plan of merger, or Merger Agreement, pursuant to which WellPoint will merge into our wholly-owned subsidiary. WellPoint offers a broad spectrum of network-based managed care plans

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through its subsidiaries, which include those operating under the trade names of Blue Cross of California, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Missouri, Blue Cross Blue Shield United of Wisconsin, HealthLink and UNICARE. WellPoint’s managed care plans include PPOs, HMOs, POSs, traditional indemnity and other hybrid plans. In addition, WellPoint offers managed care services, including underwriting, actuarial services, network access, medical management and claims processing. WellPoint also provides a broad array of specialty and other products, including pharmacy benefits management, dental, vision, life insurance, preventive care, disability insurance, behavioral health, COBRA and flexible benefits account administration.

Under the Merger Agreement, WellPoint’s stockholders will receive consideration of twenty-three dollars and eighty cents in cash and one share of our common stock for each WellPoint share outstanding. The value of the transaction was estimated to be approximately $16.4 billion based on the closing price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on October 24, 2003. Regulatory and other approvals have been obtained from the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Department of Justice, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Anthem shareholders, WellPoint stockholders, and all necessary state regulatory agencies except California. On July 23, 2004, the California Department of Managed Health Care, or DMHC, approved the merger. Also on July 23, 2004, the California Department of Insurance, or DOI, Commissioner disapproved the merger. Anthem has carefully reviewed the California DOI Commissioner’s decision and on August 3, 2004, filed a Writ of Mandate in the Superior Court of the State of California. The California DOI Commissioner has filed a motion for dismissal of our petition. A February 25, 2005 trial date has been set for Anthem’s petition for writ of mandate, and will also include the Commissioner’s motion to dismiss. Anthem will continue to evaluate all other available options to secure approval of the merger by the California Department of Insurance. It is currently not known when the transaction will close.

As of September 30, 2004, Anthem had capitalized $18.6 million of direct costs associated with the WellPoint merger. If Anthem is unable to complete the WellPoint transaction, these capitalized costs will be expensed.

WellPoint reported the following unaudited financial results for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 and as of September 30, 2004 (unaudited) and December 31, 2003:


	Nine Months Ended September 30
	2004		2003
	($ in Millions)
Total revenues	$	17,274.6	$	14,830.2
Net income		910.2		663.7

	September 30, 2004		December 31, 2003
	($ in Millions)
Assets	$	15,645.4	$	14,788.7
Liabilities		9,185.0		9,358.7
Stockholders’ equity		6,460.4		5,430.0

III. Membership—September 30, 2004 Compared to September 30, 2003

Our membership includes seven different customer types: Local Large Group, Small Group, Individual, National Accounts, Medicare Advantage, Federal Employee Program and Medicaid.

•

Local Large Group consists of those customers with 51 or more employees eligible to participate as a member in one of our health plans.

•

Small Group consists of those customers with one to 50 eligible employees.

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•

Individual members include those who are under age 65 as well as members who are age 65 and over and have purchased Medicare Supplement benefit coverage.

•

National Accounts customers are multi-state employer groups headquartered in an Anthem service area with 1,000 or more eligible employees, including 50 or more located in a service area where Anthem is not a BCBSA licensee. Included within the National Accounts business are customers who represent enrollees of other Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans, or the “home” plans, who receive health care services in our Blue Cross and Blue Shield licensed markets. These customers are primarily BlueCard members.

•

Medicare Advantage members (age 65 and over) have enrolled in coverages that are managed care alternatives for the Medicare program.

•

The Federal Employee Program, or FEP, provides health insurance coverage to United States government employees and their dependents within our geographic markets through our participation in the national contract between the BCBSA and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

•

Medicaid membership represents eligible members with state sponsored managed care alternatives in the Medicaid programs that we manage for the states of Connecticut and Virginia.

BlueCard membership, reported with National Accounts membership, is calculated based on the amount of BlueCard administrative fees we receive from the BlueCard members’ home plans. We perform certain administrative functions for BlueCard members, while other administrative functions, including maintenance of enrollment information, is performed by the home plan. The administrative fees we receive are based on one of two methods of reimbursement. Accordingly, we calculate our BlueCard membership based on each method of reimbursement. The first method of reimbursement is derived from the number and type of claims we process, both institutional and professional, and a portion of the network discount on those claims. To calculate BlueCard membership from this reimbursement method, administrative fees are divided by an average per member per month, or PMPM, factor. The average PMPM factor is determined using a historical average administrative fee per claim and an average number of claims per member per year based on our experience and BCBSA guidelines. The second method of reimbursement is a negotiated per contract basis. To calculate BlueCard membership from this reimbursement method, the number of contracts in force are multiplied by an assumed member per contract ratio. We continually review our assumptions used in these calculations and may refine the calculation from time to time.

In addition to reporting our membership by customer type, we report membership by funding arrangement according to the level of risk that we assume in the product contract. Our two funding arrangement categories are fully-insured and self-funded. Fully-insured products are products in which we indemnify our policyholders against costs for health benefits. Self-funded products are offered to customers, generally larger employers, who elect to retain some or all of the financial risk associated with their employees’ health care costs. Some employers choose to purchase stop-loss coverage to limit their retained risk. These employers are reported with our self-funded business.

The renewal patterns of our fully-insured Local Large Group and Small Group business are as follows: approximately 40% of renewals occur during the first quarter, approximately 20% of renewals occur during the second quarter, approximately 25% of renewals occur during the third quarter and approximately 15% of renewals occur during the fourth quarter. These renewal patterns have remained relatively consistent over the past several years and allow us to adjust our pricing and benefit plan designs in response to market conditions throughout the year.

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The following table presents our health membership by customer type, funding arrangement and segment as of September 30, 2004 and 2003. The membership data presented is unaudited and in certain instances includes estimates of the number of members represented by each contract at the end of the period, rounded to the nearest thousand.


	September 30		Change		%
	2004	2003	Change		%
	(In Thousands)
Customer Type
Local Large Group	3,929	3,868	61		2	%
Small Group	1,300	1,223	77		6
Individual	1,284	1,182	102		9
National Accounts¹	5,202	4,574	628		14
Medicare Advantage	91	96	(5	)	(5	)
Federal Employee Program	712	699	13		2
Medicaid	219	205	14		7

Total	12,737	11,847	890		8	%


Funding Arrangement
Self-funded	7,076	6,368	708		11	%
Fully-insured	5,661	5,479	182		3

Total	12,737	11,847	890		8	%


Segment
Midwest	6,072	5,624	448		8	%
East	2,688	2,621	67		3
West	1,133	931	202		22
Southeast	2,844	2,671	173		6

Total	12,737	11,847	890		8	%

¹ Includes 3,089 BlueCard members as of September 30, 2004 and 2,809 BlueCard members as of September 30, 2003.

During the twelve months ended September 30, 2004, total membership increased approximately 890,000, or 8%, primarily in our National Accounts, Individual and Small Group businesses. Our National Accounts membership increased 628,000, or 14%, primarily due to recognition of the value of Blue Cross and Blue Shield networks and the discounts we can secure, the breadth of our product offerings, and our distinctive customer service. Individual business membership increased 102,000, or 9%, primarily due to the introduction of new, more affordable product designs and an overall increase in consumer awareness of our wide variety of quality products and services.

Self-funded membership increased 708,000, or 11%, primarily due to increases in our National Accounts business. Fully-insured membership increased by 182,000 members, or 3%, primarily in our Individual and Small Group businesses. In addition, we experienced a change in our mix of business by funding arrangement as customers shifted from fully-insured to self-funded during the 12 months ended September 30, 2004. The proportion of members enrolled in self-funded health care products increased to 56% at September 30, 2004 compared to 54% at September 30, 2003. This shift in funding arrangements did not have a material impact on our financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004.

IV. Cost of Care

The following discussion summarizes our aggregate cost of care trends expected for the full year 2004 compared to 2003, for our Local Large Group and Small Group fully-insured businesses only. Membership in

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these two customer groups represented approximately 60% of our premium income for the twelve months ended September 30, 2004. Our cost of care trends are calculated by comparing the year over year change in average per member per month claim costs for which we are responsible, which excludes member co-payments and deductibles.

The components of our expected aggregate cost of care trends for the full year 2004 are as follows:


	Cost of care trend	Percent of cost of care expense

Inpatient services	9%–10%	21	%
Outpatient services	11%–12%	24
Professional services	8.5%–9.5%	36
Pharmacy	10.5%–11.5%	19

Our aggregate cost of care trend was relatively stable, and is anticipated to be within prior expectations of 9.5% to 10.5% for the full year 2004. This expected trend represents an increase from 9% reported for the 12 months ended December 31, 2003, primarily due to expected increases in our 2004 pharmacy and outpatient costs. Pharmacy cost trends are increasing from 2003 as certain favorable events are not expected to recur in 2004. These favorable events include the impact of Claritin, an antihistamine drug, becoming available over-the-counter in late 2002, pharmacy recontracting, and the impact of a study which concluded that hormone replacement therapy for most post-menopausal women is not recommended. In addition, we expect to see more utilization of and higher unit prices for drugs that manage high cholesterol in light of several clinical studies recommending expanded use of these drugs to reduce heart disease. Outpatient cost trends are increasing from 2003 primarily due to more procedures being performed during each visit to an outpatient provider and higher utilization primarily related to increased usage of radiology and emergency room services.

Recently, the arthritis drug VIOXX^® was removed from the market due to concerns about the risk of heart attacks in persons taking this drug for longer than 18 months. This drug accounted for approximately 1% of our pharmacy costs. We expect some of our members who were taking VIOXX to switch to other brand drugs in this therapeutic class of drugs called Cox 2 Inhibitors. We expect other members to switch to a lower cost therapeutic class of drugs as well as to over the counter drugs. We have provided our network physicians with information regarding alternatives to VIOXX and our pharmacy benefit manager has implemented a process to ensure appropriate usage of the Cox 2 Inhibitor therapeutic class of drugs. At this time, we expect little impact to our cost trends for 2004, but expect a positive impact on our pharmacy trends in 2005.

Due to the reported shortage of flu vaccine for the 2004 – 2005 flu season, it is possible that we will see an increase in hospital admissions, physician office visits and use of anti-viral drugs during this flu season. The extent of that increase will be dependent on the severity of the flu season and the availability of flu vaccine to our members.

Inpatient services cost trend increases were driven approximately 90% by unit cost increases and approximately 10% by utilization increases. The unit cost increases were primarily due to implementation of new provider contracts which include higher levels of reimbursement and a health care industry shift of lower-cost procedures to outpatient settings, resulting in a mix of more complex and expensive procedures being performed in inpatient settings. Utilization increases resulted primarily from increases in cardiovascular and orthopedic admissions. In response to increasing inpatient services costs, we have implemented and continue to expand our disease management programs, which are programs that address specific diseases such as congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease and diabetes, and our advanced care management programs, which are programs designed to focus on our members with needs for care in response to complex and acute health challenges. In addition, we continue to implement performance-based contracts that reward improved clinical outcomes, quality and patient safety. Approximately 46% of our hospital admissions were in hospitals with pay for performance programs. We are implementing plan design changes for morbid obesity surgery, including reimbursement limits and more member cost sharing. In addition, we are addressing high cost cases through more effective medical management programs and hospital contracting.

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Outpatient services cost trend increases were driven approximately 60% by unit cost increases and 40% by utilization increases. Unit costs per visit increased as more procedures are being performed during each visit to an outpatient provider, particularly emergency room visits, as well as the impact of price increases included within certain provider contracts. Efforts to mitigate unit cost trends for outpatient services include expansion of our radiology management network program, contracting strategies using fixed rate fee schedules, plan design changes to include new or higher co-payments for certain outpatient services, selective contracting with freestanding specialty facilities, and broader use of national contracting programs. Increased utilization is primarily due to additional visits for outpatient surgery and radiology services, such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging, or MRIs, Positron Emission Tomography procedures, or PET scans, as well as a continuing shift of certain procedures previously performed in an inpatient setting to an outpatient setting, such as selected cardiac care procedures.

Professional services cost trend increases were driven approximately 55% by utilization increases and approximately 45% by unit cost increases. Utilization increases were driven primarily by increases in physician office visits, radiology procedures and laboratory procedures. Office visit utilization was driven by increased visits to cardiology, oncology and gastroenterology specialists. Unit cost increases were driven primarily by increases in the intensity of services provided by physicians, implementation of new physician reimbursement schedules and high cost specialty drugs that are administered in physician offices, particularly chemotherapy drugs to treat cancer. In response to increasing professional services costs, we continue to promote and implement performance-based contracts that reward clinical outcomes and quality; develop clinical affiliations to advance uniform, evidence-based medical care and preventive guidelines; and expand our collaborative relationships with professional medical societies.

Pharmacy benefit cost trend increases were driven approximately 80% by unit cost increases and approximately 20% by utilization increases. Unit costs were increased primarily by price increases on existing brand drugs and, to a lesser extent, the introduction of new, higher cost drugs. Price increases on existing brand drugs have been seen particularly in those therapeutic classes of drugs designed to reduce cholesterol and anti-depressants, our two largest categories of drugs based on overall expenses. Partially offsetting this unit cost growth is an increase in the use of generic alternatives to branded drugs and price reduction on certain older generic drugs. More frequent physician prescriptions of drugs that manage chronic conditions such as high cholesterol, gastrointestinal disease and depression has resulted in increased utilization trends.

In response to increasing pharmacy benefit costs, we are continuing to modify plan designs, including increasing coinsurance payments to our three-tier pharmacy benefit. Coinsurance is payment of a percentage of the drug cost by members, rather than a fixed co-payment, and allows the member to share the impact of price changes. We have also expanded several clinical initiatives designed to improve quality such as drug utilization review, programs to detect and prevent misuse of prescription drugs and programs designed to educate physicians and members about the appropriate use of antibiotics. We promote the use of generic drugs through our Think Generics program. In addition, we continually evaluate our drug formulary to ensure the most effective pharmaceutical therapies are available for our members.

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V. Results of Operations—Three Months Ended September 30, 2004 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2003

Our consolidated results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 are as follows:


	Three Months Ended September 30						Change
	2004			2003			$			%
	($ in Millions, Except Per Share Data)

Premiums	$	4,335.3		$	3,857.1		$	478.2		12	%
Administrative fees		344.8			297.4			47.4		16
Other revenue		48.8			31.3			17.5		56

Total operating revenue ¹		4,728.9			4,185.8			543.1		13
Net investment income		67.9			70.8			(2.9	)	(4	)
Net realized gains on investments		6.2			5.2			1.0		19

Total revenue		4,803.0			4,261.8			541.2		13

Benefit expense		3,583.8			3,123.3			460.5		15
Administrative expense		800.9			783.5			17.4		2
Interest expense		32.9			32.9			—		—
Amortization of other intangible assets		11.3			11.9			(0.6	)	(5	)

Total expense		4,428.9			3,951.6			477.3		12


Income before taxes and minority interest		374.1			310.2			63.9		21

Income taxes		131.0			112.1			18.9		17
Minority interest		1.0			1.6			(0.6	)	(38	)

Net income	$	242.1		$	196.5		$	45.6		23	%


Average basic shares outstanding (in millions)		138.4			138.3			0.1		–	%
Average diluted shares outstanding (in millions)		142.7			142.7			—		–	%
Basic net income per share	$	1.75		$	1.42		$	0.33		23	%
Diluted net income per share	$	1.70		$	1.38		$	0.32		23	%

Benefit expense ratio²		82.7	%		81.0	%				170	bp³
Administrative expense ratio⁴		16.9	%		18.7	%				(180	) bp³
Income before income taxes and minority interest as a percentage of total revenue		7.8	%		7.3	%				50	bp³
Net income as a percentage of total revenue		5.0	%		4.6	%				40	bp³

Certain of the following definitions are also applicable to all other results of operations tables in this discussion:

Premium equivalents, which are not revenue, are measures of the amount of claims attributable to non-Medicare, self-funded health business where we provide a complete array of customer service, claims administration, billing and enrollment services, but the customer retains the risk of funding payments for health benefits provided to members. We add premium equivalents to operating revenue to allow for a comparison of business volume among companies with differing levels of revenues from fully-insured and self-funded businesses. We believe operating revenue and premium equivalents is a useful analytical measure because it eliminates fluctuations in operating revenue caused by changes in the mix of fully-insured and self-funded business. Premium equivalents, which are not included in operating revenue above, for the three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 were $2,457.9 million and $1,999.7 million, respectively.

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²	Benefit expense ratio = Benefit expense ÷ Premiums.

³	bp = basis point; one hundred basis points = 1%.

⁴	Administrative expense ratio = Administrative expense ÷ Total operating revenue.

Premiums increased $478.2 million, or 12%, to $4,335.3 million in 2004, primarily due to premium rate increases in our Local Large Group, Federal Employee Program and Small Group businesses. Also contributing to premium growth was higher fully-insured membership, primarily in our Small Group and Individual businesses, which was partially offset by changes in the mix of our fully-insured products with members selecting less rich benefit designs, resulting in lower priced products. Included in 2003 were premium refunds of $30.0 million issued to policyholders from our Southeast segment, as claims costs in certain lines of business were much lower than expected. Our net premium yields for our fully-insured Local Large Group and Small Group businesses, were approximately 9% on a rolling 12-month basis as of September 30, 2004.

Administrative fees increased $47.4 million, or 16%, to $344.8 million in 2004, primarily due to increased revenues from self-funded membership, primarily in our National Accounts business.

Other revenue is comprised principally of co-payments and deductibles associated with the sale of mail-order drugs by Anthem Prescription Management, or Anthem Prescription. Anthem Prescription is our pharmacy benefit management company that provides its services principally to members of health plans sold by Anthem. Other revenue increased $17.5 million, or 56%, to $48.8 million in 2004, primarily due to additional mail-order prescription volume and increased prices of prescription drugs sold by Anthem Prescription. Increased mail-order prescription volume resulted from both membership increases and additional utilization of Anthem Prescription’s mail-order pharmacy option. Effective January 1, 2004, Anthem Prescription began to provide pharmacy benefit management services to our Southeast segment.

Net investment income decreased $2.9 million, or 4%, to $67.9 million in 2004. Our investment income decreased in 2004 primarily due to the yield impact that resulted from a portion of our fixed maturity portfolio being allocated to a short-term duration in anticipation of the closing of the merger with WellPoint. Partially offsetting this decrease was the growth in invested assets from reinvestment of cash generated from operations. Yields are also lower in part due to an increased allocation of tax exempt securities in 2004, which is expected to enhance after tax income.

A summary of our net realized gains on investments is as follows:


	Three Months Ended September 30
	2004		2003			$ Change
	($ in Millions)

Net realized gains from the sale of fixed maturity securities	$	5.6	$	6.7		$	(1.1	)
Net realized gains from the sale of equity securities		0.2		–			0.2
Other-than-temporary impairments		–		(1.1	)		1.1
Other gains (losses)		0.4		(0.4	)		0.8

Net realized gains on investments	$	6.2	$	5.2		$	1.0

Benefit expense increased $460.5 million, or 15%, to $3,583.8 million in 2004. Benefit expense increased primarily due to increased cost of care, which was driven primarily by higher costs in professional services and outpatient services. Included in the 2004 results was a $8.7 million net favorable prior year reserve development in our Midwest and East segments. Our benefit expense ratio increased 170 basis points from 81.0% in 2003 to 82.7% in 2004, increasing from lower than anticipated cost of care trends in 2003 and returning to more sustainable levels.

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Administrative expense increased $17.4 million, or 2%, to $800.9 million in 2004, primarily due to increases in volume-sensitive costs such as higher commissions, premium taxes and other expenses associated with growth in our business and higher salary and benefits costs resulting from normal merit and benefit increases. Included in the 2004 results were $5.6 million in severance expenses due to a workforce reduction made possible by continued process and productivity improvements, primarily in the East segment. Partially offsetting these increases were lower incentive compensation expenses in 2004 and a $10.0 million contribution to Anthem’s charitable foundation made by our East segment in 2003. Our administrative expense ratio decreased 180 basis points to 16.9% in 2004, primarily due to growth in operating revenue and the leveraging of costs over these higher revenues. Partially offsetting this was a shift in funding arrangements in our mix of business from fully-insured to self-funded, which increased our administrative expense ratio by approximately 30 basis points in 2004.

Income tax expense increased $18.9 million, or 17%, to $131.0 million in 2004. Our effective tax rate is expected to be approximately 35% for the remainder of 2004.

We use operating gain to evaluate the performance of our reportable segments, as described in FAS 131, Disclosure about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information. Operating gain is calculated as total operating revenue less benefit and administrative expenses. It does not include net investment income, net realized gains (losses) on investments, interest expense, amortization of other intangible assets, income taxes and minority interest, as these items are managed in a corporate shared service environment and are not the responsibility of operating segment management. For additional information, see Note 10 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements for the three months ended September 30, 2004 included in this Form 10-Q. The discussions of segment results for the three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 presented below are based on operating gain, as described above, and operating margin, which is calculated as operating gain divided by operating revenue. Our definitions of operating gain and operating margin may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

Midwest

Our Midwest segment’s summarized results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 are as follows:


	Three Months Ended September 30
	2004			2003			$ Change		% Change
	($ in Millions)
Operating revenue	$	1,966.0		$	1,693.6		$	272.4	16	%
Operating gain	$	145.3		$	108.9		$	36.4	33	%
Operating margin		7.4	%		6.4	%			100	bp
Membership (in 000s)		6,072			5,624			448	8	%

Operating revenue increased $272.4 million, or 16%, to $1,966.0 million in 2004, primarily due to premium rate increases in our Local Large Group, National Accounts and Medicare Advantage businesses. Also contributing to this growth were membership increases in our Small Group, National Accounts and Large Group businesses.

Operating gain increased $36.4 million, or 33%, to $145.3 million, primarily due to improved underwriting results in our Medicare Advantage business, as well as the recognition of net favorable prior year reserve development of $12.7 million in 2004.

Operating gain in our Midwest segment is expected to decline in fourth quarter 2004, due to the favorable prior year reserve development from third quarter 2004 that is not expected to recur, and additional administrative expenses expected in the fourth quarter of 2004 in anticipation of the January enrollment cycle.

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Membership increased 448,000, or 8%, primarily due to enrollment gains in our National Accounts, Small Group and Individual businesses.

East

Our East segment’s summarized results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 are as follows:


	Three Months Ended September 30						$ Change		% Change
	2004			2003			$ Change		% Change
	($ in Millions)
Operating revenue	$	1,256.4		$	1,160.5		$	95.9	8	%
Operating gain	$	82.3		$	75.4		$	6.9	9	%
Operating margin		6.6	%		6.5	%			10	bp
Membership (in 000s)		2,688			2,621			67	3	%

Operating revenue increased $95.9 million, or 8%, to $1,256.4 million in 2004, primarily due to premium rate increases in our Local Large Group, Small Group and Federal Employee Program businesses. These increases were partially offset by changes in the mix of our products with members selecting less rich benefit designs, resulting in lower priced products.

Operating gain increased $6.9 million, or 9%, to $82.3 million in 2004, primarily due to improved underwriting results in our National business. Operating gain in 2004 included a $4.0 million net unfavorable prior year reserve development and $4.3 million of severance expense. A $10.0 million contribution to Anthem’s charitable foundation in 2003 that did not occur in 2004 accounted for a portion of the improved operating gain.

Membership increased 67,000, or 3%, primarily due to growth in our National Accounts and Individual businesses.

West

Our West segment’s summarized results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 are as follows:


	Three Months Ended September 30						$ Change			% Change
	2004			2003			$ Change			% Change
	($ in Millions)
Operating revenue	$	299.7		$	266.6		$	33.1		12	%
Operating gain	$	24.1		$	32.6		$	(8.5	)	(26	)%
Operating margin		8.0	%		12.2	%				(420	) bp
Membership (in 000s)		1,133			931			202		22	%

Operating revenue increased $33.1 million, or 12%, to $299.7 million in 2004, primarily due to higher premium rates in our Local Large Group, Federal Employee Program and Small Group businesses. Also contributing to operating revenue growth was higher membership, primarily in our Individual business.

Operating gain decreased $8.5 million, or 26%, to $24.1 million in 2004, primarily due to underwriting results in our Local Large Group, Small Group and Individual businesses, as these businesses benefited from unsustainably high margins in 2003. Partially offsetting these declines was improvement in underwriting results in our National business.

Membership increased 202,000, or 22%, primarily due to growth in National Accounts.

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Southeast

Our Southeast segment’s summarized results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 are as follows:


	Three Months Ended September 30
	2004			2003			$ Change		% Change
	($ in Millions)
Operating revenue	$	1,065.3		$	950.4		$	114.9	12	%
Operating gain	$	94.0		$	82.0		$	12.0	15	%
Operating margin		8.8	%		8.6	%			20	bp
Membership (in 000s)		2,844			2,671			173	6	%

Operating revenue increased $114.9 million, or 12%, to $1,065.3 million in 2004, primarily due to higher premium rates in our Local Large Group, Individual and Federal Employee Program businesses.

Operating gain increased $12.0 million, or 15%, to $94.0 million in 2004, primarily due to premium refunds of $30.0 million issued to policyholders in 2003 that did not occur in 2004. The refunds in 2003 were made in response to claims costs in certain lines of business that were much lower than expected. Partially offsetting this were lower operating gains in our Individual and Small Group businesses in 2004.

Membership increased 173,000, or 6%, to 2.8 million members in 2004, primarily due to growth in National Accounts, Local Large Group and Individual businesses.

Specialty

Our Specialty segment’s summarized results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 are as follows:


	Three Months Ended September 30
	2004			2003			$ Change		% Change
	($ in Millions)
Operating revenue	$	279.1		$	194.2		$	84.9	44	%
Operating gain	$	19.5		$	18.7		$	0.8	4	%
Operating margin		7.0	%		9.6	%			(260	) bp

Operating revenue increased $84.9 million, or 44%, to $279.1 million in 2004, primarily due to increased mail-order prescription volume, including more specialty pharmacy prescriptions and increased wholesale drug costs which are passed through to our customers at Anthem Prescription. Specialty pharmacy prescriptions include higher cost transactions for biopharmaceutical and injectable medications, which are complex in design and administration, and are costly to ship and store. The increased mail-order prescription volume resulted from both membership increases and additional utilization of Anthem Prescription’s mail-order pharmacy option. For the three months ended September 30, 2004, mail-order prescription volume increased 44% and retail prescription volume increased 42% compared to the three months ended September 30, 2003. Effective January 1, 2004, Anthem Prescription began providing pharmacy benefit management services to our Southeast segment, which provided 27% and 35% increases, respectively, in mail-order and retail prescription volume.

Operating gain increased $0.8 million, or 4%, to $19.5 million in 2004, primarily due to increased mail-order prescription volume at Anthem Prescription. This improvement was partially offset by operating results in our other specialty businesses.

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Other

Our summarized results of operations for our Other segment for the three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 are as follows:


	Three Months Ended September 30						$ Change			% Change
	2004			2003			$ Change			% Change
	($ in Millions)
Operating revenue from external customers	$	45.9		$	43.8		$	2.1		5	%
Elimination of intersegment revenues		(183.5	)		(123.3	)		(60.2	)	49	%


Total operating revenue		(137.6	)		(79.5	)		(58.1	)	NM

Operating loss	$	(21.0	)	$	(38.6	)	$	17.6		(46	)%

Operating revenue from external customers increased $2.1 million, or 5%, to $45.9 million in 2004, primarily due to increased revenues from our Medicare customer service software development contract with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services or CMS. Elimination of intersegment revenues increased $60.2 million, or 49%, reflecting additional sales by Anthem Prescription to our health segments.

Operating loss decreased $17.6 million, or 46%, to $(21.0) million in 2004, primarily due to lower incentive compensation expenses.

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VI. Results of Operations—Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004 Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003

Our consolidated results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 are as follows:


	Nine Months Ended September 30						Change
	2004			2003			$			%
	($ in Millions, Except Per Share Data)

Premiums	$	12,577.5		$	11,289.0		$	1,288.5		11	%
Administrative fees		1,011.5			879.4			132.1		15
Other revenue		140.1			92.5			47.6		51

Total operating revenue ¹		13,729.1			12,260.9			1,468.2		12
Net investment income		211.8			207.9			3.9		2
Net realized gains on investments		40.7			7.7			33.0		NM²

Total revenue		13,981.6			12,476.5			1,505.1		12

Benefit expense		10,343.1			9,177.2			1,165.9		13
Administrative expense		2,377.5			2,273.8			103.7		5
Interest expense		97.4			98.6			(1.2	)	(1	)
Amortization of other intangible assets		33.7			35.6			(1.9	)	(5	)

Total expense		12,851.7			11,585.2			1,266.5		11


Income before taxes and minority interest		1,129.9			891.3			238.6		27

Income taxes		351.7			321.8			29.9		9
Minority interest		2.6			4.0			(1.4	)	(35	)

Net income	$	775.6		$	565.5		$	210.1		37	%


Average basic shares outstanding (in millions)		138.3			138.4			(0.1	)	–	%
Average diluted shares outstanding (in millions)		142.8			142.0			0.8		1	%
Basic net income per share	$	5.61		$	4.09		$	1.52		37	%
Diluted net income per share	$	5.43		$	3.98		$	1.45		36	%

Benefit expense ratio ³		82.2	%		81.3	%				90	bp⁴
Administrative expense ratio ⁵		17.3	%		18.5	%				(120	) bp⁴
Income before income taxes and minority interest as a percentage of total revenue		8.1	%		7.1	%				100	bp⁴
Net income as a percentage of total revenue		5.5	%		4.5	%				100	bp⁴

Certain of the following definitions are also applicable to all other results of operations tables in this discussion:

¹	Premium equivalents, which are not included in operating revenue above, for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 were $7,089.5 million and $5,542.7 million, respectively.

²	NM = Not meaningful.

³	Benefit expense ratio = Benefit expense ÷ Premiums.

⁴	bp = basis point; one hundred basis points = 1%.

⁵	Administrative expense ratio = Administrative expense ÷ Total operating revenue.

Premiums increased $1,288.5 million, or 11%, to $12,577.5 million in 2004, primarily due to premium rate increases in our Local Large Group, Federal Employee Program and Small Group businesses. Also contributing

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to premium growth was higher fully-insured membership, primarily in our Small Group and Individual businesses, which was partially offset by changes in the mix of our fully-insured products with members selecting less rich benefit designs, resulting in lower priced products. Also offsetting the growth were shifts by certain Local Large Group customers to self-funding arrangements, resulting in lower revenues. Included in 2003 were premium refunds of $40.4 million issued to policyholders from our Southeast segment, as claims costs in certain lines of business were much lower than expected. Our premium yields, net of buy-downs for our fully-insured Local Large Group and Small Group businesses, were approximately 9% on a rolling 12-month basis as of September 30, 2004.

Administrative fees increased $132.1 million, or 15%, to $1,011.5 million in 2004, primarily due to increased revenues from self-funded membership, some of which resulted from the shift of customers from fully-insured arrangements. These increases were partially offset by decreased administrative fees from AdminaStar Federal’s 1-800 Medicare Help Line contract with CMS which was substantially completed by June 30, 2003.

Other revenue is comprised principally of co-payments and deductibles associated with the sale of mail-order drugs by Anthem Prescription. Anthem Prescription is our pharmacy benefit management company that provides its services principally to members of other Anthem affiliates. Other revenue increased $47.6 million, or 51%, to $140.1 million in 2004, primarily due to additional mail-order prescription volume and increased prices of prescription drugs sold by Anthem Prescription. Increased mail-order prescription volume resulted from both membership increases and additional utilization of Anthem Prescription’s mail-order pharmacy option. Effective January 1, 2004, Anthem Prescription began to provide pharmacy benefit management services to our Southeast segment.

Net investment income increased $3.9 million, or 2%, to $211.8 million in 2004. Our investment income increased in 2004 due to the growth in invested assets from reinvestment of cash generated from operations, partially offset by a decrease in yields from new investments. Yields are lower in 2004 due in part to the impact of a portion of our fixed maturity portfolio being allocated to a short-term duration in anticipation of the closing of the merger with WellPoint. Yields are also lower in part due to an increased allocation of tax exempt securities in 2004, which is expected to enhance after tax income.

A summary of our net realized gains on investments is as follows:


	Nine Months Ended September 30
	2004			2003			$ Change
	($ in Millions)
Net realized gains from the sale of fixed maturity securities	$	40.3		$	33.2		$	7.1
Net realized gains from the sale of equity securities		1.1			0.3			0.8
Other-than-temporary impairments		(0.8	)		(24.4	)		23.6
Other gains (losses)		0.1			(1.4	)		1.5

Net realized gains on investments	$	40.7		$	7.7		$	33.0

During first quarter 2004, we began reallocating securities in our fixed maturity portfolio, primarily to optimize after tax income. The sale of fixed maturity securities associated with this reallocation resulted in the majority of the net realized gains reported during the nine months ended September 30, 2004. Other-than-temporary impairments recognized in 2003 were substantially related to our equity security investments, primarily due to the length of time that the securities’ fair value had been less than cost. As of September 30, 2004, we had pre tax, net unrealized gains of $149.3 million in our investment portfolio.

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Benefit expense increased $1,165.9 million, or 13%, to $10,343.1 million in 2004. Benefit expense increased primarily due to increased cost of care, which was driven primarily by higher costs in professional services and outpatient services. Included in the 2004 results was a $8.7 million net favorable prior year reserve development in our Midwest and East segments. Included in the 2003 results was a $31.7 million net favorable prior year reserve development recorded during the second quarter of 2003, primarily in our Southeast and Midwest segments, and a $24.5 million favorable adjustment for resolution of a litigation matter in our Midwest segment in the first quarter of 2003. Our benefit expense ratio increased 90 basis points from 81.3% in 2003 to 82.2% in 2004, increasing from lower than anticipated cost of care trends in 2003 and returning to more sustainable levels.

Administrative expense increased $103.7 million, or 5%, to $2,377.5 million in 2004, primarily due to increases in volume-sensitive costs such as higher commissions, premium taxes and other expenses associated with growth in our business and higher salary and benefits costs. Included in the 2004 results were $5.6 million in severance expenses due to a workforce reduction made possible by continued process and productivity improvements, primarily in our East segment. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in incentive compensation in 2004, a $10.0 million contribution to Anthem’s charitable foundation made by our Southeast segment in 2003 and a $10.0 million contribution to Anthem’s charitable foundation made by our East segment in 2003. Our administrative expense ratio decreased 120 basis points to 17.3% in 2004, primarily due to our growth in operating revenue and the leveraging of costs over these higher revenues. Offsetting this was a shift in funding arrangements in our mix of business from fully-insured to self-funded, which increased our administrative expense ratio by approximately 30 basis points in 2004.

Income tax expense increased $29.9 million, or 9%, to $351.7 million in 2004. Included in 2004 was $44.8 million in tax benefits associated with a change in Indiana laws governing the state’s high-risk health insurance pool recorded during first quarter 2004. Our effective tax rate is expected to be approximately 35% in the remainder of 2004.

Midwest

Our Midwest segment’s summarized results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 are as follows:


	Nine Months Ended September 30
	2004			2003			$ Change		% Change
	($ in Millions)
Operating revenue	$	5,727.4		$	4,960.3		$	767.1	15	%
Operating gain	$	390.0		$	323.6		$	66.4	21	%
Operating margin		6.8	%		6.5	%			30	bp

Operating revenue increased $767.1 million, or 15%, to $5,727.4 million in 2004, primarily due to premium rate increases in our Local Large Group, National Accounts, and Federal Employee Program businesses. Also contributing to this growth were membership increases in our Small Group, Individual and National Accounts businesses.

Operating gain increased $66.4 million, or 21%, to $390.0 million, primarily due to improved underwriting results in our Local Large Group, Medicare Advantage, and National Accounts businesses. Operating gain also improved due to the recognition of net favorable prior year reserve development of $12.7 million in the third quarter of 2004. Partially offsetting these improved results were the recognition of a $24.5 million favorable adjustment for resolution of a litigation matter in the first quarter of 2003 and the recognition of net favorable prior year reserve development of $12.5 million recorded during the second quarter of 2003.

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East

Our East segment’s summarized results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 are as follows:


	Nine Months Ended September 30
	2004			2003			$ Change		% Change
	($ in Millions)
Operating revenue	$	3,610.9		$	3,387.0		$	223.9	7	%
Operating gain	$	231.6		$	212.8		$	18.8	9	%
Operating margin		6.4	%		6.3	%			10	bp

Operating revenue increased $223.9 million, or 7%, to $3,610.9 million in 2004, primarily due to premium rate increases in our Local Large Group and Small Group businesses. These increases were partially offset by changes in the mix of our products with members selecting less rich benefit designs in lower priced products. Also offsetting the growth were shifts by certain Local Large Group customers from fully insured to self-funded arrangements, resulting in lower revenues.

Operating gain increased $18.8 million, or 9%, to $231.6 million in 2004, primarily due to improved underwriting results in our Local Large Group and Medicaid businesses, partially offset by lower operating gains in our Individual business. Operating gain includes a $4.0 million net unfavorable prior year reserve development and $4.3 million severance expense in the third quarter of 2004. A $10.0 million contribution to Anthem’s charitable foundation in 2003, with no corresponding contribution in 2004 accounted for a portion of the improved operating gain.

West

Our West segment’s summarized results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 are as follows:


	Nine Months Ended September 30
	2004			2003			$ Change			% Change
	($ in Millions)
Operating revenue	$	863.1		$	774.1		$	89.0		11	%
Operating gain	$	77.8		$	79.9		$	(2.1	)	(3	)%
Operating margin		9.0	%		10.3	%				(130	) bp

Operating revenue increased $89.0 million, or 11%, to $863.1 million in 2004, primarily due to higher premium rates in our Federal Employee Program, Local Large Group and Small Group businesses. Also contributing to operating revenue growth was higher membership, primarily in our Individual business.

Operating gain decreased $2.1 million, or 3%, to $77.8 million in 2004, primarily due to a $6.3 million reduction of a Small Group case-specific reserve recorded in the first quarter of 2003, which did not recur in 2004. Operating gain in 2004 was also lower due to increased spending on our claims, enrollment and customer service technology, as well as our exit from the Medicaid market in Nevada during third quarter 2003. Partially offsetting these decreases were improved underwriting results in our National and Small Group businesses.

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Southeast

Our Southeast segment’s summarized results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 are as follows:


	Nine Months Ended September 30						$ Change		% Change
	2004			2003			$ Change		% Change
	($ in Millions)
Operating revenue	$	3,111.6		$	2,795.3		$	316.3	11	%
Operating gain	$	301.6		$	243.4		$	58.2	24
Operating margin		9.7	%		8.7	%			100	bp

Operating revenue increased $316.3 million, or 11%, to $3,111.6 million in 2004, primarily due to higher premium rates in our Local Large Group, Federal Employee Program and Small Group businesses.

Operating gain increased $58.2 million, or 24%, to $301.6 million in 2004, primarily due to improved underwriting results in our Local Large Group business. Operating gain in 2003 included $15.8 million of favorable prior year reserve development, offset by $40.4 million of premium refunds to certain policyholders and a $10.0 million contribution to Anthem’s charitable foundation.

Specialty

Our Specialty segment’s summarized results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 are as follows:


	Nine Months Ended September 30						$ Change		% Change
	2004			2003			$ Change		% Change
	($ in Millions)
Operating revenue	$	809.1		$	533.4		$	275.7	52	%
Operating gain	$	54.9		$	47.6		$	7.3	15	%
Operating margin		6.8	%		8.9	%			(210	) bp

Operating revenue increased $275.7 million, or 52%, to $809.1 million in 2004, primarily due to increased mail-order prescription volume, including more specialty pharmacy prescriptions and increased wholesale drug costs which are passed through to our customers at Anthem Prescription. Specialty pharmacy prescriptions include higher cost transactions for biopharmaceutical and injectable medications, which are complex in design and administration, and are costly to ship and store. The increased mail-order prescription volume resulted from both membership increases and additional utilization of Anthem Prescription’s mail-order pharmacy option. For the nine months ended September 30, 2004, mail-order prescription volume increased 51% and retail prescription volume increased 47% compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2003. Effective January 1, 2004, Anthem Prescription began providing pharmacy benefit management services to our Southeast segment, which provided 28% and 36% increases, respectively, in mail-order and retail prescription volume.

Operating gain increased $7.3 million, or 15%, to $54.9 million in 2004, primarily due to increased mail-order prescription volume at Anthem Prescription. This improvement was partially offset by operating results in our other specialty businesses.

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Other

Our summarized results of operations for our Other segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 are as follows:


	Nine Months Ended September 30
	2004			2003			$ Change			% Change
	($ in Millions)
Operating revenue from external customers	$	135.4		$	142.5		$	(7.1	)	(5	)%
Elimination of intersegment revenues		(528.4	)		(331.7	)		(196.7	)	59	%

Total operating revenue		(393.0	)		(189.2	)		(203.8	)	NM
Operating loss	$	(47.4	)	$	(97.4	)	$	50.0		(51	)%

Operating revenue from external customers decreased $7.1 million, or 5%, to $135.4 million in 2004, primarily due to the loss of AdminaStar Federal’s 1-800 Medicare Help Line contract with CMS, which was substantially completed by June 30, 2003. This was partially offset by an increase in revenues from our Medicare customer service software development contract with CMS. Elimination of intersegment revenues increased $196.7 million, or 59%, reflecting additional sales by Anthem Prescription to our health segments.

Operating loss decreased $50.0 million, or 51%, to $(47.4) million in 2004, primarily due to lower incentive compensation expenses.

VII. Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

We prepare our consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Application of these accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes and within this Management’s Discussion and Analysis. We consider some of our most important accounting policies that require estimates and management judgment to be those policies with respect to liabilities for unpaid life, accident and health claims, income taxes, goodwill and other intangible assets, investments and retirement benefits, which are discussed below. Our significant accounting policies are summarized in Note 1 to our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2003 included in our 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Liability for Unpaid Life, Accident and Health Claims

The most significant accounting estimate in our consolidated financial statements is our liability for unpaid life, accident and health claims. At September 30, 2004, this liability was $1,899.3 million and represented 26% of our total consolidated liabilities. We record this liability and the corresponding benefit expense for pending claims and claims that are incurred but not reported, including the estimated costs of processing such claims. Pending claims are those received by us but not yet processed through our systems. Liabilities in accordance with GAAP for both incurred but not reported and reported but not yet paid claims are determined for each of our business segments employing actuarial methods that are commonly used by health insurance actuaries and meet Actuarial Standards of Practice. These Actuarial Standards of Practice require that the claim liabilities be adequate under moderately adverse circumstances. We determine the amount of the liability for incurred but not reported claims for each of our business segments by following a detailed actuarial process that entails using both historical claim payment patterns as well as emerging medical cost trends to project our best estimate of claim liabilities. Under this process, historical data of paid claims is formatted into claim triangles which compare claim incurred dates to the dates of claim payments. This information is analyzed to create “completion factors” that represent the average percentage of total incurred claims that have been paid through a given date after being incurred. Completion factors are applied to claims paid through the financial statement date to estimate the ultimate claim expense incurred for the current period. Actuarial estimates of claim liabilities are then determined by subtracting the actual paid claims from the estimate of the ultimate incurred claims.

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For the most recent incurred months, the percentage of claims paid for claims incurred in those months is generally low. This makes the completion factor methodology less reliable for such months. Therefore incurred claims for recent months are not projected from historical completion and payment patterns; rather they are projected by estimating the claim expense for those months based upon recent claim expense levels and health care trend levels, or “trend factors”.

Because the reserve methodology is based upon historical information, it must be adjusted for known or suspected operational and environmental changes. These adjustments are made by our actuaries based on their knowledge and their estimate of emerging impacts to benefit costs and payment speed. Circumstances to be considered in developing our best estimate of reserves include changes in utilization levels, unit costs, mix of business, benefit plan designs, provider reimbursement levels, processing system conversions and changes, claim inventory levels, claim processing patterns and claim submission patterns. A comparison of prior period liabilities to re-estimated claim liabilities based upon subsequent claims development is also considered in making the liability determination. In the actuarial process, the methods and assumptions are not changed as reserves are recalculated, but rather the availability of additional paid claims information drives our changes in the re-estimate of the unpaid claim liability. To the extent appropriate, changes in such development are recorded as a change to current period benefit expense.

In addition to the pending claims and incurred but not reported claims, the liability for unpaid life, accident and health claims includes reserves for premium deficiencies, if appropriate. Premium deficiencies are recognized when it is probable that expected claims and loss adjustment expenses will exceed future premiums on existing medical insurance contracts without consideration of investment income. Determination of premium deficiencies for longer duration life and disability contracts includes consideration of investment income. For purposes of premium deficiencies, contracts are grouped in a manner consistent with our method of acquiring, servicing and measuring the profitability of such contracts.

Management regularly reviews its assumptions regarding our claim liabilities and makes adjustments to benefit expense when necessary. If it is determined that management’s assumptions regarding cost trends and utilization are significantly different than actual results, our income statement and financial position could be impacted in future periods. Adjustments of prior year estimates may result in additional benefit expense or a reduction of benefit expense in the period an adjustment is made. Further, due to the considerable variability of health care costs, adjustments to claim liabilities occur each quarter and are sometimes significant as compared to the net income recorded in that quarter. Prior year development is recognized immediately upon the actuary’s judgment that a portion of the prior year liability is no longer needed or that additional liability should have been accrued. That determination is made when sufficient information is available to ascertain that the re-estimate of the liability is accurate and will not fluctuate significantly with future development.

As described above, the completion factors and trend factors can have a significant impact on the claim liability. The following example provides the estimated impact to our September 30, 2004 unpaid claims liability assuming hypothetical changes in the completion and trend factors:


Completion Factor¹			Claim Trend Factor²
(Decrease) Increase in Completion Factor	Increase (Decrease) in Unpaid Claim Liabilities		(Decrease) Increase in Claim Trend Factor		(Decrease) Increase in Unpaid Claim Liabilities
	($ in Millions)				($ in Millions)
(3)%	163.0		(3	)%	(25.0	)
(2)%	107.0		(2	)%	(16.0	)
(1)%	53.0		(1	)%	(8.0	)
1 %	(52.0	)	1	%	8.0
2 %	(103.0	)	2	%	16.0
3 %	(153.0	)	3	%	24.0

¹Assumes (decrease) increase in the completion factors for the most recent four months

²Assumes (decrease) increase in the claim trend factors for the most recent two months

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In addition, assuming a hypothetical 1% total difference between our September 30, 2004 estimated claim liability and the actual claims paid, net income for the three months ended September 30, 2004 would increase or decrease by $12.4 million, net of tax, or an increase or decrease of $0.09 per basic and diluted share.

As summarized below, Note 8 to our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2003 included in our 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K provides historical information regarding the accrual and payment of our unpaid claim liability. Components of the total incurred claims for each year include amounts accrued for current year estimated claim expense as well as adjustments to prior year estimated accruals. The line labeled “incurred related to prior years” accounts for those adjustments made to prior year estimates. The impact of any reduction of “incurred related to prior years” claims may be offset as we establish the estimate of “incurred related to current year”. Our reserving practice is to consistently recognize the actuarial best estimate of our ultimate liability for our claims within a level of confidence required by actuarial standards. Thus, only when the release of a prior year reserve is not offset with the same level of conservatism in estimating the current year reserve will the redundancy create a net reduction in current benefit expense. When we recognize a release of the redundancy, we disclose the amount that is not in the ordinary course of business. We believe we have consistently applied our methodology in determining our best estimate for unpaid claims liability at each reporting date.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balance for unpaid life, accident and health claims is as follows:


	Nine Months Ended September 30						Years Ended December 31
*($ In Millions)*	2004			2003			2003			2002			2001

Balances at beginning of period, net of reinsurance recoverables	$	1,856.4		$	1,821.2		$	1,821.2		$	1,352.7		$	1,382.1
Business acquisitions, divestitures, purchase adjustments and reclassifications		(14.0	)		(15.5	)		(20.6	)		379.4			(139.1	)

Subtotal		1,842.4			1,805.7			1,800.6			1,732.1			1,243.0

Incurred related to:
Current year		10,512.5			9,353.1			12,462.3			9,965.1			7,843.1
Prior years (redundancy)		(169.9	)		(181.3	)		(226.1	)		(150.7	)		(96.4	)

Total incurred		10,342.6			9,171.8			12,236.2			9,814.4			7,746.7

Paid related to:
Current year		8,765.1			7,725.5			10,685.4			8,396.4			6,521.5
Prior years		1,533.8			1,399.1			1,495.0			1,328.9			1,115.5

Total paid		10,298.9			9,124.6			12,180.4			9,725.3			7,637.0

Balances at end of period, net of reinsurance		1,886.1			1,852.9			1,856.4			1,821.2			1,352.7
Reinsurance recoverables at end of period		13.2			8.9			10.4			4.8			7.6

Reserve gross of reinsurance recoverables on unpaid claims at end of period	$	1,899.3		$	1,861.8		$	1,866.8		$	1,826.0		$	1,360.3


Current year paid as a percent of current year incurred		83.4	%		82.6	%		85.7	%		84.3	%		83.1	%

Prior year incurred redundancies in the current period as a percent of prior year incurred claims		1.4	%		1.8	%		2.3	%		1.9	%		1.5	%

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Amounts incurred related to prior years vary from previously estimated liabilities as the claims are ultimately settled. Liabilities at any period end are continually reviewed and re-estimated as information regarding actual claim payments, or runout, becomes known. This information is compared to the originally established year end liability. Negative amounts reported for incurred related to prior years result from claims being settled for amounts less than originally estimated. The redundancy of $169.9 million shown above for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 represents an estimate based on paid claim activity from January 1, 2004 to September 30, 2004. Medical claim liabilities are usually described as having a “short tail”, which means that they are generally paid within several months of the member receiving service from the provider. Accordingly, the majority, or approximately 83%, of the $169.9 million redundancy relates to claims incurred in calendar year 2003, with the remaining 17% related to claims incurred in 2002 and prior.

We calculate the percentage of prior year redundancies in the current period to total incurred claims recorded in each prior year in order to demonstrate the development of the prior year reserves. This metric was 2.3% for 2003, 1.9% for 2002 and 1.5% for 2001. Having only five months of incurred claims for our Southeast segment during 2002 impacted the ratio for 2003. Had the Southeast segment been included for the full year 2002, the ratio would have been approximately 2.0%. For the nine months ended September 30, 2003, assuming the Southeast segment had been included for that period, the ratio would have been approximately 1.6%. For the nine months ended September 30, 2004, the metric was 1.4%. This ratio is calculated using the redundancy of $169.9 million shown above, which represents an estimate based on paid claim activity from January 1, 2004 to September 30, 2004. The ratio of 1.4% is subject to change based on future paid claim activity throughout the remainder of 2004.

Additional review of the table above indicates that we are paying claims faster. The ratio of claims paid in the same year as incurred was 85.7% for 2003, 84.3% for 2002 and 83.1% for 2001. The increase is primarily attributable to improved processes and electronic connectivity with our provider networks. The result of these changes is an enhanced ability to adjudicate and pay claims more quickly. To illustrate this point, review of the nine-month periods presented above shows that as of September 30, 2004, 83.4% of current year incurred claims had been paid in the period incurred, as compared to 82.6% for the same period in 2003. Hence, payments have been accelerated by approximately $82.0 million, as compared to 2003 payment patterns.

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, or FAS 109. This standard requires, among other things, the separate recognition of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities. Such deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities represent the tax effect of temporary differences between financial reporting and tax reporting measured at tax rates enacted at the time the deferred tax asset or liability is recorded. A valuation allowance must be established for deferred tax assets if it is “more likely than not” that all or a portion may be unrealized. Our judgment is required in making this analysis.

At each financial reporting date, we assess the adequacy of the valuation allowance by evaluating each of our deferred tax assets based on the key elements that follow:

•

the types of temporary differences that created the deferred tax asset;

•

the amount of taxes paid in prior periods and available for a carry-back claim;

•

the forecasted future taxable income and therefore likely future deduction of the deferred tax item; and

•

any significant other issues impacting the likely realization of the benefit of the temporary differences.

As a result of legislation enacted in Indiana on March 16, 2004, we recorded deferred tax assets and liabilities, with a corresponding net tax benefit in our income statement of $44.8 million, or $0.32 per basic share and $0.31 per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2004. The legislation eliminated the

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creation of tax credits resulting from the payment of future assessments to the Indiana Comprehensive Health Insurance Association, or ICHIA. ICHIA is Indiana’s high-risk health insurance pool. Our historical ICHIA assessment payments far exceeded our Indiana income tax liability. Thus, the recognition of a state deferred tax asset was not warranted, as a future Indiana tax liability was unlikely. Under the new legislation, ICHIA tax credits are limited to any unused ICHIA assessment paid prior to December 31, 2004. FAS 109 requires that deferred assets or liabilities be established in the period a change in law is enacted. These deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect temporary differences, net operating loss carryforwards and tax credits relating to our Indiana income tax filings. Following guidance in FAS 109, a valuation allowance of $5.6 million was established for the portion of the deferred tax asset, which we believe will likely not be utilized. There is no carryforward limitation on the tax credits and the net operating loss carryforwards do not begin to expire until 2018. We believe we will have sufficient taxable income in future years to offset these carryforwards, therefore, no additional valuation allowance was recorded.

We, like other companies, frequently face challenges from tax authorities regarding the amount of taxes due. These challenges include questions regarding the timing and amount of deductions that we have taken on our tax returns. In evaluating any additional tax liability associated with our various filing positions, we record additional tax liability for potential adverse tax outcomes that we judge to be appropriate. Based on our evaluation of our tax positions, we believe we have appropriately accrued for possible exposures. To the extent we prevail in matters we have accrued for, our future effective tax rate would be reduced and net income would increase. If we are required to pay more than accrued, our future effective tax rate would increase and net income would decrease. Our effective tax rate and net income in any given future period could be materially impacted.

In the ordinary course of business, we are regularly audited by federal and state authorities, and from time to time, these audits result in proposed assessments. The Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, expects to complete its examination of our 1999 and 2000 federal tax returns in the fourth quarter of 2004. We have negotiated the settlement of a number of proposed assessments, and have not received the final examination report. We plan to pursue an administrative appeal before the IRS relating to examination findings with which we do not agree. We believe our tax positions comply with applicable tax law and intend to defend our positions vigorously through the IRS appeals process. We believe we have adequately provided for any reasonable foreseeable outcome related to these matters. Accordingly, although their ultimate resolution may require additional material cash tax payments, we do not anticipate any material impact to earnings from these matters. The IRS has informed us that an examination of our 2001 and 2002 tax returns will begin in November 2004.

For additional information, see Note 12 to our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2003 included in our 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Our consolidated goodwill at September 30, 2004 was $2,444.6 million and intangible assets were $1,193.4 million. The sum of goodwill and intangible assets represented 26% of our total consolidated assets and 53% of our consolidated shareholders’ equity at September 30, 2004.

We follow Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, Business Combinations, and Statement of Accounting Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. FAS 141 requires business combinations to be accounted for using the purchase method of accounting and it also specifies the types of acquired intangible assets that are required to be recognized and reported separately from goodwill.

Under FAS 142, goodwill and other intangible assets (with indefinite lives) are not amortized but are tested for impairment at least annually. We completed our annual impairment test of existing goodwill and other intangible assets (with indefinite lives) for the year ended December 31, 2003 during the fourth quarter of 2003. We did not incur any impairment losses related to any goodwill and other intangible assets (with indefinite lives) as a result of our annual impairment test. We will complete our FAS 142 annual impairment test for 2004 during the fourth quarter of 2004.

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While we believe we have appropriately allocated the purchase price of our acquisitions, this allocation requires many assumptions to be made regarding the fair value of assets and liabilities acquired. In addition, the annual impairment testing required under FAS 142 requires us to make assumptions and judgments regarding the estimated fair value of our goodwill and intangibles. Such assumptions include the discount factor used to determine the fair value of a reporting unit, which is ultimately used to identify potential goodwill impairment. Such estimated fair values might produce significantly different results if other reasonable assumptions and estimates were to be used. Because of the amounts of goodwill and other intangible assets included in our consolidated balance sheet, the impairment analysis is significant. If we are unable to support a fair value estimate in future annual goodwill impairment tests or if significant impairment indicators are noted relative to other intangible assets subject to amortization, we may be required to record impairment losses against future income.

For additional information, see Note 3 to our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2003 included in our 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Investments

Total investment securities were $7,237.1 million at September 30, 2004 and represented 51% of our total consolidated assets at September 30, 2004. Our fixed maturity and equity securities are classified as “available-for-sale” securities and are reported at fair value. We have determined that all investments in our portfolio are available to support current operations, and accordingly, have classified such securities as current assets. Investment income is recorded when earned, and realized gains or losses, determined by specific identification of investments sold, are included in income when the securities are sold.

An impairment review of securities to determine if declines in fair value are other-than-temporary is subjective and requires a high degree of judgment. We evaluate our investment securities on a quarterly basis, using both quantitative and qualitative factors, to determine whether a decline in value is other than temporary. Such factors considered include the length of time and the extent to which a security’s fair value has been less than its cost, financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer, recommendations of investment advisors, and forecasts of economic, market or industry trends. If any declines are determined to be other than temporary, we charge the losses to income when that determination is made. The current economic environment and recent volatility of securities markets increase the difficulty of determining fair value and assessing investment impairment. The same influences tend to increase the risk of potential impairment of these assets.

Management believes it has adequately reviewed for impairment and that its investment securities are carried at fair value. However, over time, the economic and market environment may provide additional insight regarding the fair value of certain securities, which could change management’s judgment regarding impairment. This could result in realized losses relating to other-than-temporary declines being charged against future income.

Through our investing activities, we are exposed to financial market risks, including those resulting from changes in interest rates and changes in equity market valuations. Our primary objective is the preservation of the asset base and maximization of portfolio income given an acceptable level of risk. We manage the market risks through our investment policy, which establishes credit quality limits and limits of investments in individual issuers. If we are unable to effectively manage these risks, it could have an impact on our future earnings and financial position.

For additional information, see Note 4 to our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2003 included in our 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Retirement Benefits

Pension Benefits

We sponsor a defined benefit pension plan for our employees which is accounted for in accordance with FAS 87, Employers’ Accounting for Pensions. FAS 87 requires that amounts recognized in financial statements be determined on an actuarial basis.

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An important factor in determining our pension expense is the assumption for expected long-term return on plan assets. At our last measurement date (September 30, 2004), we selected an expected rate of return on plan assets of 8.00% (consistent with 8.00% for 2004 expense recognition). We use a total portfolio return analysis in the development of our assumption. Factors such as past market performance, interest rates, inflation and asset allocations are considered in the assumption. The assumption includes an estimate of the additional return expected from active management of the investment portfolio. Peer data and historical returns are also reviewed for appropriateness of the selected assumption. The expected long-term rate of return is calculated by the geometric averaging method, which calculates an expected multi-period return. We believe our assumption of future returns is reasonable. However, if we lower our expected long-term return on plan assets, future contributions to the pension plan and pension expense would likely increase.

Our assumed long-term rate of return on assets is applied to a calculated value of plan assets, which recognizes changes in the fair value of plan assets in a systematic manner over three years. This produces the expected return on plan assets that is included in the determination of pension expense. The difference between this expected return and the actual return on plan assets is deferred and amortized over the average remaining service of the workforce as a component of pension expense. The net deferral of past asset gains or losses affects the calculated value of plan assets and, ultimately, future pension expense.

The discount rate reflects the current rate at which the pension liabilities could be effectively settled at the end of the year based on our measurement date. At our last measurement date (September 30, 2004), we selected a discount rate of 5.75% (reduced from 6.25% at September 30, 2003), which was developed using a benchmark rate of the Moody’s Aa Corporate Bonds index. Changes in the discount rates over the past three years have not materially affected pension expense, and the net effect of changes in the discount rate, as well as the net effect of other changes in actuarial assumptions and experience, have been deferred and amortized as a component of pension expense in accordance with FAS 87.

In managing the plan assets, our objective is to be a responsible fiduciary while minimizing financial risk. Plan assets include a diversified mix of investment grade fixed maturity securities and equity securities. This allocation allows us to maximize the long-term return with a prudent level of risk. Plan assets are not invested in Anthem stock. As of our measurement date of September 30, 2004, we had approximately 52% of plan assets invested in equity securities, 45% in fixed maturity securities and 3% in other assets.

At September 30, 2004 our consolidated prepaid pension asset was $240.7 million. For the year ending December 31, 2004, no contributions are required under ERISA, however, we made a $10.0 million tax deductible discretionary contribution during the three months ended September 30, 2004. No further contributions are expected in 2004.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, we recognized consolidated pretax pension expense of $10.2 million and $30.6 million, respectively. Consolidated pretax pension expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 was $6.1 million and $16.8 million, respectively.

Other Postretirement Benefits

We provide most employees certain life, medical, vision and dental benefits upon retirement. We use various actuarial assumptions including a discount rate and the expected trend in health care costs to estimate the costs and benefit obligations for our retiree benefits. We recognized a postretirement benefit liability of $182.0 million at September 30, 2004.

At our last measurement date (September 30, 2004), we selected a discount rate of 5.75% (reduced from 6.25% at September 30, 2003), which was developed using a benchmark rate of the Moody’s Aa Corporate Bonds index.

The assumed health care cost trend rate used to measure the expected cost of other benefits at our measurement date was 10% and was assumed to decline to 5.5% by 2009.

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The “Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003” became law in December 2003 and expanded Medicare, primarily adding a prescription drug benefit for Medicare-eligible retirees starting in 2006. We anticipate that the benefits we pay in 2006 and beyond will be lower as a result of the new Medicare provisions. As permitted by Financial Accounting Standards Board Staff Position (“FSP”) 106-1, Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, we deferred the recognition of the impact of the new Medicare provisions at December 31, 2003. During 2004, FSP 106-2 was issued and included final guidance on accounting for the provisions of this legislation. As required by FSP 106-2, Anthem accounted for the impact in the quarter ending September 30, 2004 using the prospective method. The impact of adopting FSP 106-2, while accretive to earnings, is not material to the consolidated financial statements.

For additional information regarding Retirement Benefits, see Note 9 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q and Note 15 to our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2003 included in our 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

New Accounting Pronouncements

There were no new accounting pronouncements issued during the three or nine months ended September 30, 2004 that had a material impact on our financial position, operating results or disclosures.

VIII. Liquidity and Capital Resources

Introduction

Our cash receipts consist primarily of premiums, administrative fees, investment income, other revenue and proceeds from the sale or maturity of our investment securities. Cash disbursements result mainly from claims payments, administrative expenses, taxes, purchase of investment securities, interest expense, payments on long term borrowings, capital expenditures and repurchase of our common stock. Cash outflows fluctuate with the amount and timing of settlement of these transactions. As such, any future decline in our profitability would likely have some negative impact on our liquidity.

We manage our cash, investments and capital structure so we are able to meet the short and long-term obligations of our business while maintaining financial flexibility and liquidity. We forecast, analyze and monitor our cash flows to enable investment and financing within the overall constraints of our financial strategy.

A substantial portion of the assets held by our regulated subsidiaries are in the form of cash and cash equivalents and investments. After considering expected cash flows from operating activities, we generally invest cash that exceeds our near term obligations in longer term marketable fixed maturity securities, to improve our overall investment income returns. Our investment strategy is to make investments consistent with insurance statutes and other regulatory requirements, while preserving our asset base. Our investments are available for sale to meet liquidity and other needs. Excess capital is paid annually in the form of dividends by subsidiaries to their respective parent companies for general corporate use, as permitted by applicable regulations.

The availability of financing in the form of debt or equity is influenced by many factors including our profitability, operating cash flows, debt levels, debt ratings, contractual restrictions, regulatory requirements and market conditions. We have access to a $1.0 billion commercial paper program supported by $1.0 billion of revolving credit facilities, which allow us to maintain further operating and financial flexibility.

Liquidity—Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003

During the nine months ended September 30, 2004, net cash flow provided by operating activities was $682.7 million, as compared to $725.7 million at September 30, 2003, a decrease of $43.0 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2004, we made long-term compensation payments of approximately $113.0 million associated with the three-year plan ended December 31, 2003.

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Net cash flow used in investing activities was $417.2 million in 2004, compared to $544.2 million of cash used in 2003. The table below outlines the changes in cash flow used in investing activities between the two periods (in millions):


Increase in purchases of investments	$	(1,246.8	)
Increase in sales of investments		1,353.4
Decrease in purchases and sales of subsidiaries		6.3
Proceeds from settlement of cash flow hedge		20.3
Increase in net purchases of property and equipment		(6.2	)

Total decrease in cash used in investing activities	$	127.0

Net cash flow used in financing activities was $19.4 million in 2004 compared to cash used in financing activities of $206.3 million in 2003. The table below outlines the changes in cash flow used in financing activities between the two periods (in millions):


Decrease in repurchases of common stock	$	61.7
Decrease in payments on long term debt		100.0
Increase in proceeds from exercise of stock options and employee stock purchase plan		19.5
Increase in proceeds from long term borrowings		5.7

Total decrease in cash used in financing activities	$	186.9

Financial Condition

We maintained a strong financial condition and liquidity position, with consolidated cash, cash equivalents and investments of $7.9 billion at September 30, 2004. Total cash, cash equivalents and investments increased by $568.0 million since December 31, 2003, primarily resulting from cash flows from operations, offset by a decline in unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in market interest rates.

At September 30, 2004, Anthem, Inc. held approximately $1.1 billion of our $7.9 billion of cash, cash equivalents and investments on hand. These funds are available for general corporate use, including investment in our businesses, acquisitions, share and debt repurchases and interest payments. A significant portion of this $1.1 billion of cash, cash equivalents and investments is expected to be used for the WellPoint transaction described below in Future Sources and Uses of Liquidity.

Our consolidated debt-to-total-capital ratio (calculated as the sum of debt, including the current portion of long term debt, divided by the sum of debt plus shareholders’ equity) was 19.7% as of September 30, 2004 and 21.7% as of December 31, 2003.

Anthem’s senior debt is rated “BBB+” by Standard & Poor’s, “A-” by Fitch, Inc., “Baa1” by Moody’s Investor Service, Inc. and “a-” by AM Best Company, Inc. Anthem intends to maintain its senior debt investment grade ratings. A significant downgrade in Anthem’s debt ratings could adversely affect its borrowing capacity and costs.

Future Sources and Uses of Liquidity

We will have cash requirements of approximately $4.0 billion for the pending transaction with WellPoint, including both the cash portion of the purchase price and estimated transaction costs (see “Significant Transactions” section of this Management Discussion and Analysis). During October 2003, we obtained a commitment for a bridge loan of up to $3.0 billion. During September 2004, the commitment for the bridge loan was extended to June 30, 2005. Additionally, as of September 30, 2004, we have $1.1 billion of cash, cash equivalents and investments and access to $1.0 billion of credit facilities, as discussed below. All indebtedness

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under the bridge loan must be repaid in full no later than December 31, 2005. At or immediately after the closing of the WellPoint transaction, we plan to issue up to $2.0 billion of debt securities in a public offering to provide permanent financing. In addition, we expect to put in place an expanded $2.5 billion revolving credit facility, replacing our current $1.0 billion of credit facilities. Upon issuance of the $2.0 billion of debt securities and the increase of $1.5 billion in our revolving credit facilities, the $3.0 billion commitment for the bridge loan will be terminated. In addition, as part of the debt recapitalization associated with the WellPoint transaction, and using sources of liquidity described above, we may repurchase a portion of our surplus notes, subject to market conditions at that time.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2004, we entered into forward starting pay fixed interest rate hedging transactions with an aggregate notional amount of $1.0 billion. These hedges are being used to eliminate the uncertainty related to future interest payments on the expected issuance of debt securities to partially fund the cash portion of the WellPoint transaction. It is currently not know when the WellPoint transaction will close. On July 30, 2004, we terminated the hedges and received $20.3 million, the fair value of the hedges at the time of termination. We recorded accumulated other comprehensive income of $13.2 million, net of tax. As of September 30, 2004, based on our determination that it was probable that the first forecasted interest payment would not occur, we reclassified $0.7 million to net realized gains ($0.5 million net of tax). Since it is still possible, as of September 30, 2004, that the WellPoint transaction and associated debt offering will occur in the future, $12.7 million of accumulated other comprehensive income remains. Following the expected issuance of debt securities, any balances in accumulated other comprehensive income will be amortized into earnings over the life of the debt securities. If it becomes probable that the forecasted interest payments will not occur within the anticipated time period, the fair value of the cash flow hedges will be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to earnings.

Anthem maintains $1.0 billion of revolving lines of credit with its lender group. Under one facility, which expires November 5, 2006, Anthem may borrow up to $400.0 million. On August 30, 2004, we renewed our $600.0 million revolving credit facility, extending the maturity date to June 28, 2005. Any amounts outstanding under this facility at June 28, 2005 (except amounts that bear interest rates determined by a competitive bidding process) convert to a term loan at Anthem’s option, which expires on June 28, 2006. Anthem’s ability to borrow under these credit facilities is subject to compliance with certain covenants. We were in compliance with these covenants as of September 30, 2004. There were no borrowings under these facilities for the three or nine months ended September 30, 2004.

On January 27, 2003, the Board of Directors authorized management to establish a $1.0 billion commercial paper program. Proceeds from any issuance of commercial paper may be used for general corporate purposes, including the repurchase of debt and common stock of Anthem. Commercial paper notes are short-term senior unsecured notes, with a maturity not to exceed 270 days from date of issuance. When issued, the notes bear interest at current market rates. There were no borrowings under this commercial paper program during the three or nine months ended September 30, 2004.

On December 18, 2002, Anthem filed a shelf registration with the SEC to register any combination of debt or equity securities in one or more offerings up to an aggregate amount of $1.0 billion. Specific information regarding terms of the offering and the securities being offered will be provided at the time of the offering. Proceeds from any offering will be used for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of debt, capitalization of our subsidiaries or the financing of possible acquisitions or business expansion. In August 2004, Anthem issued $200.0 million of 3.50% notes due 2007 under this program. As of September 30, 2004, Anthem had $800.0 million of the shelf registration capacity remaining.

Many of our subsidiaries are subject to various government regulations that restrict the timing and amount of dividends and other distributions that may be paid. Anthem received $439.7 million of dividends from our subsidiaries during the nine months ended September 30, 2004, and does not expect any additional dividends to be paid during the remainder of 2004. Anthem received $458.6 million of dividends from its subsidiaries during the year ended December 31, 2003.

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In 2003, the Board of Directors authorized us to repurchase up to $500.0 million of stock under a program that will expire in February 2005. Under this program, repurchases may be made from time to time at prevailing prices, subject to certain restrictions on volume, pricing and timing. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, the Company purchased 1.0 million shares of our common stock, at a cost of $82.2 million. At September 30, 2004, $200.5 million of authorization remained under this program. On October 25, 2004, the Board of Directors authorized an increase of $500.0 million to the program and extended the expiration date until February 2006. Total available for repurchase following this approval is $700.5 million.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

In connection with our pending transaction with WellPoint, WellPoint shareholders will receive consideration of twenty-three dollars and eighty cents in cash and one share of Anthem common stock for each WellPoint share outstanding. The total value of the transaction is estimated to be approximately $16.4 billion, based on the closing price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on October 24, 2003. It is currently not known when the transaction will close.

We believe that funds from future operating cash flows, cash and investments and funds available under Anthem’s credit agreements or from public or private financing sources will be sufficient for future operations and commitments and for capital acquisitions and other strategic transactions.

For additional information regarding our other estimated contractual obligations and commitments at December 31, 2003, see “Contractual Obligations and Commitments” included in the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section within our 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For additional information on our future debt maturities and lease commitments, included in our contractual obligations and commitments, see Note 5 and 14, respectively, to our audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2003 included in our 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Risk-Based Capital

Our regulated subsidiaries’ states of domicile have statutory risk-based capital, or RBC, requirements for health and other insurance companies largely based on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’, or NAIC’s RBC Model Act. These RBC requirements are intended to measure capital adequacy, taking into account the risk characteristics of an insurer’s investments and products. The NAIC sets forth the formula for calculating the RBC requirements, which are designed to take into account asset risks, insurance risks, interest rate risks and other relevant risks with respect to an individual insurance company’s business. In general, under this Act, an insurance company must submit a report of its RBC level to the state insurance department or insurance commissioner, as appropriate, at the end of each calendar year. Our risk-based capital as of December 31, 2003, which was the most recent date for which reporting was required, was in excess of all mandatory RBC thresholds. In addition to exceeding the RBC requirements, we are in compliance with the liquidity and capital requirements of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association established for its licensees.

IX. Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This management’s discussion and analysis contains certain forward-looking information. Words such as “expect(s)”, “feel(s)”, “believe(s)”, “will”, “may”, “anticipate(s)”, “estimate(s)”, “should”, “intend(s)” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These risks and uncertainties may include: those discussed and identified in public filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) made by Anthem and WellPoint; trends in health care costs and utilization rates; our ability to secure sufficient premium rate increases; competitor pricing below market trends of increasing costs; increased government regulation of health benefits and managed care; significant acquisitions

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or divestitures by major competitors; introduction and utilization of new prescription drugs and technology; a downgrade in our financial strength ratings; an increased level of debt; litigation targeted at health benefits companies; our ability to contract with providers consistent with past practice; our ability to achieve expected synergies and operating efficiencies from the Trigon acquisition and to successfully integrate our operations; our ability to consummate our merger with WellPoint, to achieve expected synergies and operating efficiencies in the merger within the expected time-frames or at all and to successfully integrate our operations; such integration may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected; revenues following the transaction may be lower than expected; operating costs, customer loss and business disruption, including, without limitation, difficulties in maintaining relationships with employees, customers, clients or suppliers, may be greater than expected following the transaction; the regulatory approvals required for the transaction may not be obtained on the terms expected or on the anticipated schedule; our ability to meet expectations regarding the timing, completion and accounting and tax treatments of the transaction and the value of the transaction consideration; future bio-terrorist activity or other potential public health epidemics; and general economic downturns. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to republish revised forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

As a result of our investing and borrowing activities, we are exposed to financial market risks, including those resulting from changes in interest rates and changes in equity market valuations. Our investment portfolio is exposed to three primary risks: interest rate risk, credit risk and market valuation risk. Our long term debt has fixed interest rates and the fair value of these instruments is affected by changes in market interest rates. No material changes to any of these risks have occurred since December 31, 2003. For a more detailed discussion of our market risks relating to these activities, refer to Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk, included in our 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company carried out an evaluation as of September 30, 2004, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial and Accounting Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial and Accounting Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information relating to the Company (including its consolidated subsidiaries) required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2004 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Litigation

In Charles Shane, M.D., et al., v. Anthem, Inc., et al., the main provider track Multi District Litigation (“MDL”) case, the Eleventh Circuit issued an opinion on September 1, 2004, affirming the trial court’s class certification of all RICO claims, and reversing the trial court’s class certification on all state law claims. Defendants filed a petition for certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court on October 15, 2004, seeking review of the class certification ruling. Separately, defendants appealed to the Eleventh Circuit an earlier trial court ruling denying in part motions to enforce the arbitration clauses in the contracts between the physicians and the managed care organizations. The trial court proceedings were stayed by the Eleventh Circuit, pending a ruling on such appeal.

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State of Connecticut v. Anthem BCBS-CT, et al., was originally filed in U.S. District Court in Hartford, Connecticut, and removed to U.S. District Court in Miami, Florida, as part of the MDL proceedings. The trial court dismissed the case on September 19, 2003, and the Connecticut Attorney General filed an appeal to the Eleventh Circuit on December 1, 2003. On September 10, 2004, the Eleventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal by the trial court.

Academy of Medicine of Cincinnati and Luis Pagani, M.D. v. Aetna Health, Inc., Humana Health Plan of Ohio, Inc., Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and United Health Care of Ohio, Inc., No. A02004947 was filed on June 27, 2002 in the Court of Common Pleas, Hamilton County, Ohio. Motions to dismiss or to send the case to binding arbitration, per the provider contracts, were filed. The Ohio court overruled the motions on January 21, 2003. Defendants have appealed. The Ohio appeal was heard on September 23, 2003. The Ohio appellate court affirmed the trial court’s ruling on November 21, 2003. On January 2, 2004, Anthem filed a motion seeking a discretionary appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court. The Ohio Supreme Court accepted the case for review on April 13, 2004. Briefing is complete and no date has been set for oral argument. Academy of Medicine of Cincinnati and A. Lee Greiner, M.D., Victor Schmelzer, M.D., and Karl S. Ulicny, Jr., M.D. v. Aetna Health, Inc., Humana, Inc., Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and United Health Care, Inc., No. 02-CI-903 was filed on June 27, 2002 in the Boone County, Kentucky Circuit Court. Motions to dismiss or to send the case to binding arbitration, per the provider contracts, were filed. The Kentucky court overruled the motions on February 19, 2003. Anthem appealed, and the Kentucky Court of Appeals heard oral argument on August 11, 2004. A ruling will issue in due course.

In Edward Collins, MD, et al., v. Anthem Health Plans of Connecticut, the Connecticut state court certified a class on July 19, 2001. The Connecticut Supreme Court reversed the trial court on September 22, 2003, and remanded the case to the trial court for further consideration. On June 16, 2004, the trial court certified four of the plaintiffs’ claims as class claims. Anthem filed an appeal of the class certification decision on July 6, 2004. Briefing is proceeding in the Connecticut Supreme Court and the trial court proceedings are currently stayed.

In addition to the lawsuits described above, the Company is also involved in other pending and threatened litigation of the character incidental to the business transacted, arising out of its insurance and investment operations, and is from time to time involved as a party in various governmental investigations, audits, reviews and administrative proceedings. These investigations, audits and reviews include routine and special investigations by various state insurance departments, state attorneys general and the U.S. Attorney General. Such investigations could result in the imposition of civil or criminal fines, penalties and other sanctions. The Company believes that any liability that may result from any one of these actions is unlikely to have a material adverse effect on its consolidated results of operations or financial position.

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ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities


Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased	Average Price Paid per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Programs (1)	Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Programs (in millions)

July 1, 2004 to July 31, 2004	115,000	$	82.22	115,000	$	273.3
August 1, 2004 to August 31, 2004	497,500		81.06	497,500		233.0
September 1, 2004 to September 30, 2004	387,500		83.77	387,500		200.5

Total	1,000,000	$	82.24	1,000,000	$	200.5

(1)

Represents the number of shares repurchased through our repurchase program authorized by the Board of Directors on January 27, 2003 under which we are authorized to purchase up to $500.0 million prior to February 2005. On October 25, 2004, our Board of Directors authorized an increase of $500.0 million to our repurchase program and extended the expiration date until February 2006. Total available for repurchase following this authorization is $700.5 million.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

None.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

Exhibits: A list of exhibits required to be filed as part of this report is set forth in the Index to Exhibits, which immediately precedes such exhibits, and is incorporated herein by reference.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


	ANTHEM, INC. Registrant

Date: October 27, 2004	By:	/s/ MICHAEL L. SMITH
		Michael L. Smith
		Executive Vice President and
		Chief Financial and Accounting Officer
		(Principal Financial Officer, Chief Accounting
		Officer and Duly Authorized Officer)

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS


Exhibit Number		Document

31.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14 of the Exchange Act Rules, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14 of the Exchange Act Rules, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

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