WellPoint enjoys good health

WellPoint Health Networks, Inc., soon to become the nation’s largest HMO following its merger with health plan Anthem, raised its earnings guidance for the coming year as a result of lower overall medical costs.
The Thousand Oaks-based WellPoint, which like Anthem is a Blue Cross provider, said it expects to earn between $6 and $6.15 per share for calendar year 2003 and increased its forecast for 2004 to $7.10 per share, up from an earlier range of $6.90 to $7.
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