A.M. Best Withdraws Ratings of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Partnership Plan, Inc. Following Merger

A.M. Best Co. has withdrawn the financial strength rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) and issuer credit rating (ICR) of "a+” of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Partnership Plan, Inc. (Mason, OH) and assigned an NR-5 (Not Formally Followed) to the FSR and "nr” to the ICR.

The rating actions follow the recent announcement by Community Insurance Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of ultimate parent company WellPoint, Inc. (NYSE: WLP), of the merger of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Partnership Plan, Inc. into Community Insurance Company.

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Founded in 1899, A.M. Best Company is a global full-service credit rating organization dedicated to serving the financial and health care service industries, including insurance companies, banks, hospitals and health care system providers. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.