Anthem Sees Medical Costs Rise As Patients Return for Care (1)

Health insurer Anthem Inc. is seeing medical expenses rise as patients began returning to care providers offices for non-Covid treatment while the raging pandemic creates costs of its own.

Non-coronavirus medical expenses bounced back to almost normal levels in the third quarter, the company said. When combined with virus-related testing and treatment, total medical utilization exceeded historical baselines, Anthem Chief Financial Officer John Gallina said on the company’s earnings call. Elevated costs are expected to persist in the fourth quarter, he said.

U.S. health insurers recorded outsize profits in the first half of the year as patients put off planned ...