Elevance Health to acquire Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana

Elevance Health, Inc. and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana have entered into a definitive agreement for Elevance Health to acquire Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana (BCBSLA). The acquisition will bring BCBSLA into the Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield family of brands under Elevance Health. The acquisition aims to improve access, quality, affordability, and customer experience for Louisiana residents and builds on the existing collaboration in Louisiana through joint ownership of Healthy Blue, which serves Medicaid and Medicare Dual Eligible members. The Louisiana plan headquarters will remain in Baton Rouge and continue to serve its customers locally through its workforce of around 3,000 employees. The acquisition is expected to close later this year and is subject to closing conditions and approvals. Upon closing, Elevance Health's affiliated Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield plans will operate in 15 states. The transaction also creates a multibillion-dollar foundation, the Accelerate Louisiana Initiative, to address the unique and complex needs of the people of Louisiana with the mission to improve the health and lives of the people of Louisiana by addressing health inequities and strengthening local communities.