In 2004, Anthem, as we know it now, was born when WellPoint Health Networks Inc. and Anthem, Inc. merged to become the nation’s leading health benefits company. The parent company name was WellPoint at the time of the merger but changed to Anthem in 2014.
Over the years it has acquired a variety of healthcare businesses including Opticare, a vision management services company; US Script, a pharmacy benefit management services company; and Cardium, a disease management services company. These companies currently operate as Envolve. In 2011, Centene formed a correctional healthcare services company that operates under the name Centurion.
In 2015, Anthem acquired Simply Healthcare Holdings, a Medicaid and Medicare managed care company based in Florida and in 2020 Anthem acquired Beacon Health Options and independently held behavioral health organization.
Anthem, Inc. is currently one of the largest health benefits companies in the United States.