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Income Taxes
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes Income Taxes
Income tax expense for continuing operations consisted of the following:
Year Ended December 31,
202020192018
(In millions)
Current:
Federal$281 $204 $272 
State26 12 18 
Foreign— 9 8 
Total current307 225 298 
Deferred:
Federal(13)5 (3)
State(7)6 (3)
Foreign1 (1)— 
Total deferred(19)10 (6)
Income tax expense$288 $235 $292 
A reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate to the combined effective income tax rate for continuing operations is as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
202020192018
Statutory federal tax (benefit) rate21.0 %21.0 %21.0 %
State income provision (benefit), net of federal1.6 1.4 1.2 
Nondeductible health insurer fee (“HIF”)6.1 — 7.3 
Nondeductible compensation1.1 1.2 0.7 
Worthless stock deduction— — (1.0)
Other0.2 0.6 — 
Effective tax expense rate30.0 %24.2 %29.2 %
The effective tax rate was not impacted by the HIF in 2019 given the HIF moratorium. Our effective tax rate is based on expected income, statutory tax rates, and tax planning opportunities available to us in the various jurisdictions in which we operate. Management estimates and judgments are required in determining our effective tax rate. We are routinely under audit by federal, state, or local authorities regarding the timing and amount of deductions, nexus of income among various tax jurisdictions, and compliance with federal, state, foreign, and local tax laws.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are classified as non-current. Significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
December 31,
20202019
(In millions)
Accrued expenses and reserve liabilities$52 $35 
Other accrued medical costs15 11 
Net operating losses11 13 
Fixed assets and intangibles— 26 
Unearned premiums18 11 
Lease financing obligation8 5 
Tax credit carryover7 11 
Other4 — 
Valuation allowance(17)(24)
Total deferred income tax assets, net of valuation allowance 98 88 
Fixed assets and intangibles(7)— 
Prepaid expenses (10)(6)
Unrealized gains and losses(12)(1)
Other— (2)
Total deferred income tax liabilities (29)(9)
Net deferred income tax asset$69 $79 
At December 31, 2020, we had state net operating loss carryforwards of $189 million, which begin expiring in 2035.
At December 31, 2020, we had foreign net operating loss carryforwards of $5 million, which expire in 2031.
At December 31, 2020, we had California research and development and enterprise zone tax credit carryovers of $3 million, which will begin to expire in 2024, and foreign tax credit carryovers of $5 million, which expire in 2030.
We evaluate the need for a valuation allowance taking into consideration the ability to carry back and carry forward tax credits and losses, available tax planning strategies and future income, including reversal of temporary differences. We have determined that as of December 31, 2020, $17 million of deferred tax assets did not satisfy the recognition criteria. Therefore, we decreased our valuation allowance by $7 million, from $24 million at December 31, 2019, to $17 million as of December 31, 2020.
We recognize tax benefits only if the tax position is more likely than not to be sustained. We are subject to income taxes in the United States, Puerto Rico, and numerous state jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in evaluating our tax positions and determining our provision for income taxes. During the ordinary course of business, there are many transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. We establish reserves for tax-related uncertainties based on estimates of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes will be due. These reserves are established when we believe that certain positions might be challenged despite our belief that our tax return positions are fully supportable. We adjust these reserves in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the outcome of tax audits. The provision for income taxes includes the impact of reserve provisions and changes to reserves that are considered appropriate.
The roll forward of our unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
202020192018
(In millions)
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of period$(20)$(20)$(13)
Increases in tax positions for current year — — (9)
Lapse in statute of limitations— — 2 
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at end of period$(20)$(20)$(20)
The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rates is $18 million in each of those respective years. We expect that during the next 12 months it is reasonably possible that unrecognized tax benefit liabilities may decrease by as much as $10 million due to resolution of exams and refund claims.
Our continuing practice is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. Amounts accrued for the payment of interest and penalties as of December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were insignificant.
We are under examination by the IRS for calendar years 2015 through 2017 and may be subject to examination for calendar years 2018 and 2019. With a few exceptions, which are immaterial in the aggregate, we no longer are subject to state, local, and Puerto Rico tax examinations for years before 2015.