Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

v3.19.3.a.u2
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Schedule Of Property Software And Equipment Depreciation Periods Property, software and equipment are depreciated over the following periods:
Fixed Asset
 
Depreciation Period
Buildings and improvements
 
 5 - 40 years
Computer hardware and software
 
2 - 7 years
Furniture and equipment
 
 3 - 10 years
Land improvements
 
 3 - 20 years
Leasehold improvements
 
 1 - 20 years

Schedule Of Amortization Period For Intangible Assets Intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over the following periods:
Intangible Asset
 
Amortization Period
Purchased contract rights
 
5 - 21 years
Provider contracts
 
4 - 15 years
Customer relationships
 
3 - 15 years
Trade names
 
7 - 20 years
Developed technologies
 
2 - 7 years
Other intangibles
 
2 - 5 years

Schedule Of Allowance For Uncollectible Accounts
Activity in the allowance for uncollectible accounts for the years ended December 31, is summarized below ($ in millions):
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Allowances, beginning of year
$
123

 
$
24

 
$
29

Amounts charged to expense
76

 
134

 
35

Write-offs of uncollectible receivables
(42
)
 
(35
)
 
(40
)
Allowances, end of year
$
157

 
$
123

 
$
24