Shares of health insurer Anthem (ANTM) - Get Report were climbing in afternoon trading on Friday after the company said it would cut back its Obamacare presence in Missouri beginning in 2018.

"Beginning in 2018, Anthem will offer on and off exchange individual health plans in 68 counties in Missouri that would otherwise not have health insurance coverage for their residents," Anthem said in a statement.

The move will impact 68 of the 85 counties and follows several similar moves by rival insurers to scale back their Obamacare offerings.

"Today, planning and pricing for ACA-compliant health plans has become increasingly difficult due to a shrinking and deteriorating individual market, as well as continual changes and uncertainty in federal operations, rules and guidance, including cost-sharing-reduction subsidies and the restoration of taxes on fully insured coverage," Anthem said .

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