Cigna Group

Sale of Medicare Advantage and Related Businesses

In January 2024, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to sell the Medicare Advantage, Medicare Stand-Alone Prescription Drug Plans, Medicare and Other Supplemental Benefits and CareAllies businesses within the U.S. Healthcare operating segment to Health Care Service Corporation ("HCSC") for $3.3 billion cash, subject to applicable regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

Organizational Efficiency Plan

During the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company approved a strategic realignment to drive greater operating effectiveness and efficiency. This plan positions us to be more efficient and focused to deliver differentiated value and services to our clients and customers. The Company recognized a charge in Selling, general and administrative expenses of $252 million, pre-tax ($193 million, after-tax). We expect substantially all of the accrued liability to be paid by the end of 2024. We expect to realize annualized after-tax savings of approximately $280 million. A significant portion of the savings is expected to be recognized in 2024. See Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

CarepathRx Health System Solutions

In July 2023, Evernorth Health, Inc. acquired a minority interest in CarepathRx Health Systems Solutions ("CHSS"). CHSS provides integrated hospital pharmacy solutions to support patients across their complete health care journey. By pairing Evernorth Health Services' diverse specialty and care expertise with CHSS' robust pharmacy and infusion management capabilities, technology solutions and health system relationships, we can further improve, expand and accelerate pharmacy care delivery for the growing number of patients with chronic and complex care needs. See Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of this investment.

VillageMD

In 2023, the Company became a minority owner in VillageMD by investing $2.7 billion in VillageMD preferred equity. VillageMD (majority-owned by Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.) provides health care services for individuals and communities across the United States, with primary, multi-specialty and urgent care providers serving patients in traditional clinic settings, in patients' homes and online appointments. VillageMD and its subsidiaries operate in 26 markets and are responsible for millions of patients. See Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of this investment.

Centene Corporation

Effective January 1, 2024, Evernorth Health Services and Centene Corporation ("Centene") have a multi-year agreement to manage pharmacy benefit services and make prescription medications more accessible and affordable for Centene's approximately 20 million customers. In addition to greater savings on prescription drugs, Centene customers will also have access to Express Scripts' extensive national network of retail pharmacies.

Medicare Star Quality Ratings ("Star Ratings")

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS") uses a Star Rating system to measure how well Medicare Advantage ("MA") plans perform. Categories of measurement include quality of care and customer service. Star Ratings range from one to five stars. CMS recognizes plans with Star Ratings of four stars or greater with quality bonus payments and the ability to offer enhanced benefits. On October 13, 2023, CMS announced Medicare Star Ratings for bonus payments to be received in 2025. We estimate 67% of our MA customers to be in four star or greater plans for bonus payments to be received in 2024 and 2025 (based upon the current customer mix associated with the announced Star Ratings). See Part I, Item I, "Business - Regulation" section of this Form 10-K for further discussion of Star Ratings.

Medicare Advantage Rates

On March 31, 2023, CMS released the final Calendar Year 2024 Medicare Advantage Program and Part D Payment Policies (the "2024 Final Notice"). On January 31, 2024, CMS released the Calendar Year 2025 Advance Notice for Medicare Advantage and Part D Prescription Drug Programs (the "Advance Notice"). CMS will accept comments on the Advance Notice through March 1, 2024, before publishing the final rate announcement by April 1, 2024. The Advance Notice is subject to the required notice and comment period, and we cannot predict when or to what extent CMS will adopt the proposals in the Advance Notice. We are in the process of analyzing the potential implications of the Advance Notice.