FROM THE FOUNDATION

End-of-Life Choices

Trends in end-of-life care show that not only does the care given vary widely from region to region and hospital to hospital, but also patients often don't get the care they prefer. What can be done?

Care Management Puzzle

Chronic diseases and the cost of care are rising. Are disease management programs improving outcomes for patients with complex, chronic conditions?

No Middleman

Under the "direct primary care" model, patients pay a monthly fee for basic medical services. Learn about the history and current landscape of physician practices offering this arrangement.

Health Plans

Friday, April 20, 2012

UnitedHealth Group Reports Rise in Earnings, Membership in Q1 2012

On Thursday, UnitedHealth Group -- the nation's largest health insurer -- reported a 3.1% increase in first-quarter earnings, along with a 7.3% rise in revenue and more than one million new members, the Wall Street Journal reports.

For the quarter, UnitedHealth's earnings increased to $1.39 billion, compared with $1.35 billion in Q1 2011. Meanwhile, Q1 2012 revenue increased to $27.23 billion (Kamp, Wall Street Journal, 4/19). The company announced that price increases for medical care led to a more than 6% increase -- to about $20 billion -- in medical costs, its biggest expense.

According to the AP/New York Times, health insurers have been reporting strong figures over the past several quarters because of the slow growth in health care.

UnitedHealth officials also raised its earnings forecast for the year to between $4.80 and $4.95 per share, up from between $4.60 to $4.80 per share. The insurer said it expects revenue to fall between $109 billion and $110 billion (AP/New York Times, 4/19).



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