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Cigna Group

For the period ended Dec 31, 2023. Filed Feb 29, 2024.

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FY2023 · Filed Feb 29, 2024

CI$295.60+0.7%Stored close · as of Nov 9, 2026

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Contents

Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and related disclosures in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Management considers an accounting estimate to be critical if:

it requires assumptions to be made that were uncertain at the time the estimate was made; and

changes in the estimate or different estimates that could have been selected could have a material effect on our consolidated results of operations or financial condition.

Management has discussed how critical accounting estimates are developed and selected with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors and the Audit Committee has reviewed the disclosures presented in this Form 10-K. We regularly evaluate items that may impact critical accounting estimates.

In addition to the estimates presented in the following tables, the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements describe other estimates that management has made in preparation of the financial statements. Management believes the current assumptions used to estimate amounts reflected in our Consolidated Financial Statements are appropriate. However, if actual experience significantly differs from the assumptions used in estimating amounts reflected in our Consolidated Financial Statements, the resulting changes could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations and in certain situations, could have a material adverse effect on liquidity and our financial condition. The tables below present the adverse impacts of certain possible changes in assumptions. The effect of assumption changes in the opposite direction would be a positive impact to our consolidated results of operations, liquidity or financial condition, except for assessing impairment of goodwill.

Balance Sheet Caption /Nature of Critical Accounting EstimateEffect if Different Assumptions Used
Goodwill and other intangible assets
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of businesses acquired over the fair value of their net assets at the acquisition date. Intangible assets primarily reflect the value of customer relationships and other intangibles acquired in business combinations.Fair values of reporting units are estimated based on discounted cash flow analysis and market approach models using assumptions that we believe a hypothetical market participant would use to determine a current transaction price. The significant assumptions and estimates used in determining fair value primarily include the discount rate and future cash flows. A discount rate is selected to correspond with each reporting unit's weighted average cost of capital, consistent with that used for investment decisions considering the specific and detailed operating plans and strategies within each reporting unit. Projections of future cash flows differ by reporting unit and are consistent with our ongoing strategic projections. Future cash flows for Evernorth Health Services are primarily driven by the forecasted gross margins of the business, as well as operating expenses and long-term growth rates. Future cash flows for our other reporting units are primarily driven by forecasted revenues, benefit expenses, operating expenses and long-term growth rates.The fair value of intangibles and the amortization method were determined using an income approach that relies on projected future cash flows including key assumptions for customer attrition and discount rates. Management revises amortization periods if it believes there has been a change in the length of time that an intangible asset will continue to have value.The Company conducts its quantitative evaluation for goodwill impairment at least annually during the third quarter at the reporting unit level and performs qualitative impairment assessments on a quarterly basis to determine if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value. During the fourth quarter of 2023, following the change in operating segment discussed in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, U.S. Government's goodwill was merged with U.S Commercial's goodwill. Certain businesses within the U.S. Healthcare operating segment were designated as held for sale (see Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).Goodwill and other intangibles as of December 31 were as follows (in millions):·2023 – Goodwill $44,259; Other intangible assets $30,863·2022 – Goodwill $45,811; Other intangible assets $32,492See Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion of our goodwill and other intangible assets.We completed our normal annual evaluations for impairment of goodwill and intangible assets during the third quarter of 2023, as well as additional qualitative and quantitative tests as required by GAAP. The evaluations support that as of December 31, 2023, the fair value estimates of our reporting units exceed their carrying values by sufficient margins. Changes in assumptions concerning future financial results or other underlying assumptions, including macroeconomic factors, government legislation, changes in the competitive landscape or other market conditions could impact our ability to achieve profitability projections. If we consistently do not achieve our earnings and cash flow projections or our cost of capital rises significantly, the assumptions and estimates underlying the goodwill and intangible asset impairment evaluations could be adversely affected and result in future impairment charges that would negatively impact our operating results and financial position.
Balance Sheet Caption /Nature of Critical Accounting EstimateEffect if Different Assumptions Used
Income taxes – uncertain tax positions
We evaluate tax positions to determine whether the benefits are more likely than not to be sustained on audit based on their technical merits. The Company establishes a liability if the probability that the position will be sustained is 50% or less. For uncertain positions that management believes are more likely than not to be sustained, the Company recognizes a liability based upon management's estimate of the most likely settlement outcome with the taxing authority. These amounts primarily relate to federal and state uncertain positions of the value and timing of deductions and uncertain positions of attributing taxable income to states.Balances that are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets within Accrued expenses and other liabilities are as follows (in millions): ·2023 – $1,399 ·2022 – $1,343 See Note 23 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion around uncertain tax positions and the Liquidity and Capital Resources section of this MD&A for a discussion of their potential impact on liquidity.The factors that could impact our estimates of uncertain tax positions include the likelihood of being sustained upon audit based on the technical merits of the tax position and related assumed interest and penalties. If our positions are upheld upon audit, our net income would increase.
Income taxes - valuation allowance
Deferred income taxes are reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for differences between the financial and income tax reporting bases of the Company's underlying assets and liabilities, and are established based upon enacted tax rates and laws. Deferred income tax assets are recognized when available evidence indicates that realization is more likely than not and a valuation allowance is established to the extent this standard is not met. In 2023, the Company recorded a valuation allowance related to various foreign deferred tax assets in the amount of $772 million as well as a valuation allowance of $584 million related to the tax benefit associated with the sale of the Medicare Advantage and related businesses. It is possible that the realization of deferred tax assets may change due to changes in forecasted future earnings in various foreign jurisdictions or the Company's ability to generate future capital gains.Valuation allowances that are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets within deferred tax liabilities, net are as follows (in millions):·2023 – $1,498·2022 – $208See Note 23 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion around valuation allowances.The factors that could impact our estimates of valuation allowances include changes in forecasted future earnings in foreign jurisdictions and the Company's future ability to generate capital gains. Decreases in our valuation allowance would increase net income, while increases in our valuation allowance would decrease net income.
Balance Sheet Caption /Nature of Critical Accounting EstimateEffect if Different Assumptions Used
Unpaid claims and claim expenses – Cigna Healthcare
Unpaid claims and claim expenses reflects estimates of the ultimate cost of claims that have been incurred but not reported, expected development on reported claims, claims that have been reported but not yet paid (reported claims in process) and other medical care expenses and services payable that are primarily comprised of accruals for incentives and other amounts payable to health care professionals and facilities. Unpaid claims and claim expenses in Cigna Healthcare are primarily impacted by assumptions related to completion factors and medical cost trend. Variation of actual results from either assumption could impact the unpaid claims balance as noted below. A large number of factors may cause the medical cost trend to vary from the Company's estimates, including: changes in health management practices, changes in the level and mix of benefits offered and services utilized and changes in medical practices. Completion factors may be affected if actual claims submission rates from providers differ from estimates (that can be influenced by a number of factors, including provider mix and electronic versus manual submissions), or if changes to the Company's internal claims processing patterns occur. Unpaid claims and claim expenses for the Cigna Healthcare segment as of December 31 were as follows (in millions): ·2023 – gross $5,092; net $4,856·2022 – gross $4,176; net $3,955 These liabilities are presented above both gross and net of reinsurance and other recoverables. See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding assumptions and methods used to estimate this liability.Based on studies of our claim experience, it is reasonably possible that a 100 basis point change in the medical cost trend and a 50 basis point change in completion factors could occur in the near term. A 100 basis point increase in the medical cost trend rate would increase this liability by approximately $90 million, resulting in a decrease in net income of approximately $70 million after-tax, and a 50 basis point decrease in completion factors would increase this liability by approximately $180 million, resulting in a decrease in net income of approximately $140 million after-tax.
Valuation of debt security investments
Most debt securities are classified as available for sale and are carried at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss within Shareholders' equity. Fair value is defined as the price at which an asset could be exchanged in an orderly transaction between market participants at the balance sheet date. Determining fair value for a financial instrument requires management judgment. The degree of judgment involved generally correlates to the level of pricing readily observable in the markets. Financial instruments with quoted prices in active markets or with market observable inputs to determine fair value, such as public securities, generally require less judgment. Conversely, private placements including more complex securities that are traded infrequently are typically measured using pricing models that require more judgment as to the inputs and assumptions used to estimate fair value. There may be a number of alternative inputs to select based on an understanding of the issuer, the structure of the security and overall market conditions. In addition, these factors are inherently variable in nature as they change frequently in response to market conditions. Approximately 60% of our debt securities are public securities and approximately 40% are private placement securities. Typically, the most significant input in the measurement of fair value is the market interest rate used to discount the estimated future cash flows of the instrument. Such market rates are derived by calculating the appropriate spreads over comparable U.S. Treasury securities, based on the credit quality, industry and structure of the asset.Balances that are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets within Investments and Long-term investments are as follows, inclusive of amounts held for sale as of December 31, 2023 (in millions):·2023 - $9,855·2022 - $9,872See Notes 12A. and 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of our fair value measurements, the procedures performed by management to determine that the amounts represent appropriate estimates and our accounting policy regarding unrealized appreciation on debt securities.If the derived market rates used to calculate fair value increased by 100 basis points, the fair value of the total debt security portfolio of $9.9 billion would decrease by approximately $0.6 billion, resulting in an after-tax decrease to shareholders' equity of approximately $0.5 billion as of December 31, 2023.
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