Anthem’s PBM Plans Boost Earnings Expectations

Anthem Inc. will accelerate the launch of its in-house pharmacy-benefit manager IngenioRx to March, a move that sharply pushed up the big insurer’s projected earnings for 2019.

Anthem said that the earlier transition comes because of Cigna Corp.’s recent acquisition of Express Scripts Holding Co., Anthem’s previous pharmacy-benefit manager, which allowed Anthem to terminate their contract well before the end of 2019, when the break had been expected. Anthem said it will exit the Express Scripts contract on March 1 and begin...