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Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company revised its adjusted earnings per share outlook for 2025 to $26 to $26.50, reflecting performance challenges primarily in its Medicare businesses [7][29] - The consolidated revenue outlook remains at $450 billion to $455 billion, with expectations for UnitedHealthcare and Optum Rx revenues to exceed initial views, offsetting a reduced outlook for Optum Health [30][31] - The full year medical care ratio is now expected to be 87.5% plus or minus 50 basis points, indicating higher utilization across senior populations [31] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - UnitedHealthcare's Medicare Advantage business is projected to serve an additional 800,000 people in 2025, while Optum Health aims to add 650,000 net new patients to value-based care arrangements [16][43] - Optum Rx revenues grew by 14%, exceeding $35 billion for the quarter, with script growth of 3% driven by customer retention and new customer wins [44] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted a significant increase in care activity in its Medicare Advantage business, with first quarter indications suggesting care activity increased at twice the rate anticipated [10][29] - The company experienced a sharp increase in elective care activity, particularly in the group Medicare Advantage segment, attributed to higher member premiums driven by Medicare funding cuts [36][66] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on improving engagement with complex patients and enhancing clinical workflows to transition effectively to the new CMS risk model [15][39] - The company continues to innovate in its service offerings, such as the HouseCalls program, which provides in-home clinical visits to seniors [21][22] - The company emphasizes the importance of transparency and affordability in healthcare, aiming to reduce costs for consumers while maintaining high-quality care [28][132] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed disappointment with current performance but remains committed to improving results throughout 2025 and into 2026, targeting long-term earnings per share growth of 13% to 16% [46][47] - The management acknowledged the challenges posed by recent Medicare funding cuts and the need to better anticipate and address second-order effects in the market [90][96] Other Important Information - The company is actively engaging with state customers to address Medicaid funding issues and is optimistic about recent rate adjustments aligning more closely with member acuity [41][130] - The company is concerned about legislative changes affecting pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and their potential impact on patient access to medications [126][127] Q&A Session Summary Question: Medicare Advantage cost trend expectations - Management indicated that care levels were anticipated to be consistent with 2024 but have seen a significant increase in the first quarter, particularly in physician and outpatient services [49][55] Question: Connection between primary care visits and Optum Health performance - Management clarified that while primary care visits have increased, the challenges in Optum Health are due to the profile of new value-based patients and the impact of the V28 phase [58][68] Question: Impact of elevated care on group Medicare Advantage - Management confirmed that the elevated care activity is primarily observed in community and group Medicare Advantage, influenced by premium increases [98][102] Question: Long-term growth rate recovery - Management expressed confidence in returning to long-term growth rates, supported by improved 2026 rates and ongoing engagement with state partners [106][110] Question: Medicare Advantage margins and timeline for recovery - Management stated that margins for Medicare Advantage are still within targeted ranges for 2025, with expectations to return to historical planning targets in 2026 [114][118] Question: Policy implications of PBM reform and Medicaid funding - Management highlighted their leadership in transparency and affordability in the PBM space and emphasized the importance of maintaining access to medications for patients [122][130]

Wall Street plunged on Thursday on the final trading day of the week, with focus on US-Japan tariff talks, while a slump in UnitedHealth’s shares following a forecast cut by the insurer weighed on the Dow.In morning trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 637 points, or 1.6%, to 39,032. The S&P 500 fell 0.1%, and the Nasdaq was down 0.5%. 3 The Dow tumbled more than 600 points, or 1.6% on Thursday. Getty ImagesAhead of the long weekend, all three major Wall Street indexes are on track for weekly lo ...

There have been instances in which saying that a major stock fell off a cliff, as when describing the fortunes of UnitedHealth (NYSE: UNH) in the Thursday pre-market, and immediately after the morning bell.Specifically, in the first hour of the trading day, UNH stock dropped 19.17% to its press time price of $472.91, resulting in a total decline of 20.51% in the weekly chart.UNH stock one-week price chart. Source: FinboldUnitedHealth’s latest earnings report, published early on Thursday morning, April 17, i ...

For the quarter ended March 2025, UnitedHealth Group (UNH) reported revenue of $109.58 billion, up 9.8% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $7.20, compared to $6.91 in the year-ago quarter.The reported revenue represents a surprise of -1.40% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $111.13 billion. With the consensus EPS estimate being $7.27, the EPS surprise was -0.96%.While investors scrutinize revenue and earnings changes year-over-year and how they compare with Wall Street expectations to determi ...

UnitedHealth shares plunged 17.4% premarket on Thursday after the insurer dramatically slashed its profit forecast for the year after it revealed disappointing earnings.The healthcare company – whose top insurance executive was shot dead in midtown Manhattan in December – cut its full-year adjusted earnings outlook to a range of $26 to $26.50 per share, down from $29.50 to $30 a share.The firm also reported adjusted income of $7.20 a share in the first quarter, below analysts’ expectations of $7.29, accordi ...

About this content About Emily Jarvie Emily began her career as a political journalist for Australian Community Media in Hobart, Tasmania. After she relocated to Toronto, Canada, she reported on business, legal, and scientific developments in the emerging psychedelics sector before joining Proactive in 2022. She brings a strong journalism background with her work featured in newspapers, magazines, and digital publications across Australia, Europe, and North America, including The Examiner, The Advocate, ...

UnitedHealth Group (UNH) came out with quarterly earnings of $7.20 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $7.27 per share. This compares to earnings of $6.91 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of -0.96%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this largest U.S. health insurer would post earnings of $6.71 per share when it actually produced earnings of $6.81, delivering a surprise of 1.49%.Over the last four q ...

UnitedHealth Group UNH on Thursday reported first-quarter 2025 earnings and revised 2025 guidance.The insurance giant reported adjusted EPS of $7.20, up from $6.91 a year ago, missing the consensus of $7.29. Revenues increased 6.8% year over year to $109.6 billion, missing the consensus of $111.60 billion.“UnitedHealth Group…did not perform up to our expectations, and we are aggressively addressing those challenges to position us well for the years ahead and return to our long-term earnings growth rate targ ...

UnitedHealth Group Reports First Quarter 2025 Results and Revises Full Year Guidance (April 17, 2025) UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) reported first quarter 2025 results and revised its outlook for the year. "UnitedHealth Group grew to serve more people more comprehensively but did not perform up to our expectations, and we are aggressively addressing those challenges to position us well for the years ahead, and return to our long-term earnings growth rate target of 13 to 16%," said Andrew Witty, chief execu ...