Full Press Release Details
(For Immediate Release)
UNITEDHEALTH GROUP REPORTS SECOND QUARTER 2021 RESULTS
Revenues of $71.3 Billion Grew 15%, with Well-Diversified Growth at Optum and UnitedHealthcare
Earnings from Operations were $6.0 Billion
Cash Flows from Operations reached $5.5 Billion or 1.3x Net Income
Net Earnings were $4.46 Per Share and Adjusted Earnings were $4.70 Per Share
MINNETONKA, Minn. (July 15, 2021) - Strong and diversified growth continued across UnitedHealth Group (NYSE UNH) in the second quarter 2021.
"The compassion, dedication and ongoing efforts of our 330,000 colleagues to advance peoples' health and health system performance reinforces our confidence in delivering strongly on our strategies for those we serve and continuing to grow well into the future," said Andrew Witty, chief executive officer of UnitedHealth Group.
Based upon first half 2021 performance, the Company increased its full year net earnings outlook to $17.35 to $17.85 per share and adjusted earnings to $18.30 to $18.80 per share. The outlook continues to include approximately $1.80 per share in potential net unfavorable COVID-19 effects. UnitedHealth Group is focused on helping people access the care they need, including vaccinations, and expects a continued rise in provision of care in the second half of this year. COVID-19 effects include testing and treatment costs the residual impact of people having deferred care in 2020 and unemployment and other economy-driven factors.
| Quarterly Financial Performance | ||||
| Three Months Ended | ||||
| June 30, | June 30, | March 31, | ||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | ||
| Revenues | $71.3 billion | $62.1 billion | $70.2 billion | |
| Earnings from Operations | $6.0 billion | $9.2 billion | $6.7 billion | |
| Net Margin | 6.0% | 10.7% | 6.9% |
UnitedHealth Group's second quarter 2021 revenues of $71.3 billion grew 14.8% year-over-year, reflecting well-diversified growth across the enterprise, including double-digit percentage growth at both Optum and UnitedHealthcare.
Earnings from operations in the second quarter 2021 were $6.0 billion and adjusted earnings were $4.70 per share, with the year-over-year comparisons reflecting the broad-based deferral of care during the second quarter 2020 due to the pandemic.
Cash flows from operations in second quarter 2021 were $5.5 billion, or 1.3 times net income.
The second quarter 2021 medical care ratio of 82.8% compared to 70.2% last year, with the variance due to second quarter 2020 COVID-19 effects. Favorable medical reserve development was $500 million in the quarter compared to $1.0 billion in the first quarter 2021 and $1.4 billion in the second quarter last year. Days claims payable of 49.1 days compared to 49.8 days in the first quarter 2021 and 50.4 days in the second quarter 2020.
The second quarter 2021 operating cost ratio of 14.5% decreased from 16.1% in second quarter 2020. Factors contributing to the decline include the repeal of the health insurance tax, broad-based 2020 investments to support people and health systems, the revenue-related effects of the pandemic, and continued productivity advances, partially offset by business mix and investments.
The Company returned $1.4 billion to shareholders in the second quarter via dividends, following a 16% increase in June 2021. In the quarter, 3.2 million shares were repurchased for $1.2 billion, bringing year-to-date repurchases to 7.9 million shares for $2.9 billion.
Return on equity of 25.2% in the quarter reflected the Company's strong and diverse earnings profile and efficient capital base. Debt to total capital was 40.1% at quarter end.
UnitedHealthcare provides health care benefits globally, serving individuals and employers, and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to improving the value customers and consumers receive by reducing the total cost of care, enhancing the quality of care received, improving health and wellness and simplifying the health care experience.
| Quarterly Financial Performance | ||||
| Three Months Ended | ||||
| June 30, | June 30, | March 31, | ||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | ||
| Revenues | $55.5 billion | $49.1 billion | $55.1 billion | |
| Earnings from Operations | $3.1 billion | $7.0 billion | $4.1 billion | |
| Operating Margin | 5.6% | 14.3% | 7.5% |
UnitedHealthcare second quarter 2021 revenues grew by $6.4 billion or 13.0% to $55.5 billion compared to last year.
Strong growth in UnitedHealthcare's community and senior offerings resulted from expansion in people served. Since the end of 2020, total people served by UnitedHealthcare grew by nearly 1.2 million, including 150,000 in the second quarter 2021.
Second quarter 2021 operating earnings were $3.1 billion compared to $7.0 billion last year, reflecting strong revenue growth, more than offset by pandemic driven deferral of care last year.
Growth highlights include continued strong membership growth during the first half this year in individual Medicare Advantage, Group Medicare Advantage and Dual Special Needs Plans Medicaid contract awards in Hawaii and Ohio, as well as a strong pipeline of potential new and renewing awards during the remainder of 2021 and further expansion of innovative commercial benefit products and capabilities such as our care provider-aligned and consumer-centric products, and continued outlook for strong specialty benefits growth.
Optum is a health services business serving the global health care marketplace, including payers, care providers, employers, governments, life sciences companies and consumers. Using market-leading information, data analytics, technology and clinical insights, Optum helps improve overall health system performance optimizing care quality, reducing health care costs and improving the consumer experience.
| Quarterly Financial Performance | ||||
| Three Months Ended | ||||
| June 30, | June 30, | March 31, | ||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | ||
| Revenues | $38.3 billion | $32.7 billion | $36.4 billion | |
| Earnings from Operations | $2.9 billion | $2.2 billion | $2.6 billion | |
| Operating Margin | 7.5% | 6.8% | 7.2% |
Optum second quarter revenues of $38.3 billion grew 17.2% and operating earnings of $2.9 billion grew 29.1%, with each of the three Optum businesses contributing double-digit operating earnings growth.
OptumHealth served 99 million people at the end of second quarter 2021 compared to 97 million a year ago, and revenue per consumer served increased 43% year-over-year. This continues the expansion of people served in value-based care arrangements, growth in affiliated physicians and build-out of local market care delivery services including in-home, clinic-based and outpatient services, all on a multi-payer basis.
OptumInsight's revenue backlog increased by $1.9 billion or 10% compared to the second quarter 2020 to $21.3 billion, driven by growth in comprehensive managed services. OptumInsight continues to advance initiatives to help health systems scale essential capabilities through the deployment of advanced technology, innovative talent and labor models and progressive approaches to productivity enhancements. This includes a significant new client relationship with Bassett Healthcare Network to help them improve clinical and operational performance.
OptumRx adjusted scripts in the quarter were 342 million, growth of 8% compared to last year and 4% from the first quarter 2021, as the provision of care has continued to recover over the last year.
Growth highlights include continued expansion of Optum Care's integrated care delivery networks and growth serving people in their homes OptumInsight new business wins and continued pipeline expansion in comprehensive managed services, including revenue management, information technology, data analytics and payment integrity and OptumRx's continued diversification and growth of pharmacy care services, highlighted by specialty pharmacy, infusion services, community-based behavioral health pharmacies and e-commerce.
About UnitedHealth Group
UnitedHealth Group (NYSE UNH) is a diversified health care company dedicated to helping people live healthier lives and helping make the health system work better for everyone. UnitedHealth Group offers a broad spectrum of products and services through two distinct platforms Optum, which provides information and technology-enabled health services and UnitedHealthcare, which provides health care coverage and benefits services. For more information, visit UnitedHealth Group at www.unitedhealthgroup.com or follow UnitedHealthGrp on Twitter.
Earnings Conference Call
As previously announced, UnitedHealth Group will discuss the company's results, strategy and future outlook on a conference call with investors at 8 45 a.m. Eastern Time today. UnitedHealth Group will host a live webcast of this conference call from the Investor Relations page of the company's website (www.unitedhealthgroup.com). Following the call, a webcast replay will be available on the same site through July 29, 2021. The conference call replay can also be accessed by dialing 1-888-203-1112, Conference Code 6765563. This earnings release and the Form 8-K dated July 15, 2021 can also be accessed from the Investor Relations page of the Company's website.
Non-GAAP Financial Information
This news release presents non-GAAP financial information provided as a complement to the results provided in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). A reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial information to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is provided in the accompanying tables found at the end of this release.
Forward-Looking Statements
The statements, estimates, projections, guidance or outlook contained in this document include "forward-looking" statements which are intended to take advantage of the "safe harbor" provisions of the federal securities law. The words "believe," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "forecast," "outlook," "plan," "project," "should" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These statements may contain information about financial prospects, economic conditions and trends and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those that management expects, depending on the outcome of certain factors including risks associated with public health crises, large-scale medical emergencies and pandemics, such as the COVID-19 pandemic our ability to effectively estimate, price for and manage medical costs new or changes in existing health care laws or regulations, or their enforcement or application the DOJ's legal action relating to the risk adjustment submission matter our ability to maintain and achieve improvement in quality scores impacting revenue reductions in revenue or delays to cash flows received under government programs changes in Medicare, the CMS star ratings program or the application of risk adjustment data validation audits failure to maintain effective and efficient information systems or if our technology products do not operate as intended cyberattacks, other privacy data security incidents, or our failure to comply with related regulations risks and uncertainties associated with the pharmacy benefits management industry competitive pressures changes in or challenges to our public sector contract awards our ability to contract on competitive terms with physicians, hospitals and other service providers failure to attract, develop, retain, and manage the succession of key employees and
executives the impact of potential changes in tax laws and regulations (including any increase in the U.S. income tax rate applicable to corporations) failure to achieve targeted operating cost productivity improvements increases in costs and other liabilities associated with litigation, government investigations, audits or reviews failure to manage successfully our strategic alliances or complete or receive anticipated benefits of strategic transactions fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates downgrades in our credit ratings our investment portfolio performance impairment of our goodwill and intangible assets and our ability to obtain sufficient funds from our regulated subsidiaries or from external financings to fund our obligations, maintain our debt to total capital ratio at targeted levels, maintain our quarterly dividend payment cycle, or continue repurchasing shares of our common stock. This above list is not exhaustive. We discuss these matters, and certain risks that may affect our business operations, financial condition and results of operations more fully in our filings with the SEC, including our reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. By their nature, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or results and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict or quantify. Actual results may vary materially from expectations expressed or implied in this document or any of our prior communications. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. We do not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
| Investors | Brett Manderfeld | Media | Matt Stearns | |
| Senior Vice President | Senior Vice President | |||
| 952-936-7216 | 202-276-0085 |
Earnings Release Schedules and Supplementary Information
Quarter Ended June 30, 2021
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Supplemental Financial Information - Businesses
Supplemental Financial Information - Business Metrics
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measure
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in millions, except per share data)
| Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | |||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||
| Revenues | ||||||||
| Premiums | $56,233 | $49,394 | $111,719 | $100,034 | ||||
| Products | 8,433 | 8,247 | 16,773 | 16,678 | ||||
| Services | 6,099 | 4,156 | 12,017 | 9,141 | ||||
| Investment and other income | 556 | 341 | 1,008 | 706 | ||||
| Total revenues | 71,321 | 62,138 | 141,517 | 126,559 | ||||
| Operating costs | ||||||||
| Medical costs | 46,546 | 34,678 | 91,450 | 75,678 | ||||
| Operating costs | 10,359 | 10,001 | 20,582 | 20,016 | ||||
| Cost of products sold | 7,660 | 7,501 | 15,232 | 15,188 | ||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 778 | 717 | 1,536 | 1,440 | ||||
| Total operating costs | 65,343 | 52,897 | 128,800 | 112,322 | ||||
| Earnings from operations | 5,978 | 9,241 | 12,717 | 14,237 | ||||
| Interest expense | (410) | (430) | (807) | (867) | ||||
| Earnings before income taxes | 5,568 | 8,811 | 11,910 | 13,370 | ||||
| Provision for income taxes | (1,196) | (2,115) | (2,560) | (3,209) | ||||
| Net earnings | 4,372 | 6,696 | 9,350 | 10,161 | ||||
| Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests | (106) | (59) | (222) | (142) | ||||
| Net earnings attributable to UnitedHealth Group common shareholders | $4,266 | $6,637 | $9,128 | $10,019 | ||||
| Diluted earnings per share attributable to UnitedHealth Group common shareholders | $4.46 | $6.91 | $9.55 | $10.43 | ||||
| Adjusted earnings per share attributable to UnitedHealth Group common shareholders (a) | $4.70 | $7.12 | $10.02 | $10.84 | ||||
| Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding | 956 | 960 | 956 | 961 |
(a)See page 6 for a reconciliation of the non-GAAP measure
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
| June 30, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||
| Assets | ||||
| Cash and short-term investments | $22,561 | $19,781 | ||
| Accounts receivable, net | 14,587 | 12,870 | ||
| Other current assets | 21,768 | 21,067 | ||
| Total current assets | 58,916 | 53,718 | ||
| Long-term investments | 44,061 | 41,242 | ||
| Other long-term assets | 107,315 | 102,329 | ||
| Total assets | $210,292 | $197,289 | ||
| Liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity | ||||
| Medical costs payable | $25,131 | $21,872 | ||
| Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt | 3,868 | 4,819 | ||
| Other current liabilities | 47,558 | 45,729 | ||
| Total current liabilities | 76,557 | 72,420 | ||
| Long-term debt, less current maturities | 44,348 | 38,648 | ||
| Other long-term liabilities | 16,066 | 15,682 | ||
| Redeemable noncontrolling interests | 1,299 | 2,211 | ||
| Equity | 72,022 | 68,328 | ||
| Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity | $210,292 | $197,289 |
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
| Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||
| 2021 | 2020 | |||
| Operating Activities | ||||
| Net earnings | $9,350 | $10,161 | ||
| Noncash items | ||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,536 | 1,440 | ||
| Deferred income taxes and other | 113 | 238 | ||
| Share-based compensation | 426 | 388 | ||
| Net changes in operating assets and liabilities | 120 | 719 | ||
| Cash flows from operating activities | 11,545 | 12,946 | ||
| Investing Activities | ||||
| (Purchases of investments, net of sales and maturities) Sales and maturities, net of purchases | (2,789) | 573 | ||
| Purchases of property, equipment and capitalized software | (1,130) | (920) | ||
| Cash paid for acquisitions, net | (4,642) | (3,952) | ||
| Other, net | (648) | (186) | ||
| Cash flows used for investing activities | (9,209) | (4,485) | ||
| Financing Activities | ||||
| Common share repurchases | (2,900) | (1,691) | ||
| Dividends paid | (2,548) | (2,212) | ||
| Net change in short-term borrowings and long-term debt | 4,858 | 5,215 | ||
| Other, net | 1,159 | 1,712 | ||
| Cash flows from financing activities | 569 | 3,024 | ||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | 6 | (143) | ||
| Increase in cash and cash equivalents | 2,911 | 11,342 | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 16,921 | 10,985 | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $19,832 | $22,327 |
SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION - BUSINESSES
(in millions, except percentages)
| Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | |||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
| Revenues | ||||||||||||
| UnitedHealthcare | $55,474 | $49,107 | $110,588 | $100,175 | ||||||||
| Optum | 38,303 | 32,695 | 74,687 | 65,534 | ||||||||
| Eliminations | (22,456) | (19,664) | (43,758) | (39,150) | ||||||||
| Total consolidated revenues | $71,321 | $62,138 | $141,517 | $126,559 | ||||||||
| Earnings from Operations | ||||||||||||
| UnitedHealthcare | $3,095 | $7,007 | $7,203 | $9,895 | ||||||||
| Optum (a) | 2,883 | 2,234 | 5,514 | 4,342 | ||||||||
| Total consolidated earnings from operations | $5,978 | $9,241 | $12,717 | $14,237 | ||||||||
| Operating Margin | ||||||||||||
| UnitedHealthcare | 5.6 | % | 14.3 | % | 6.5 | % | 9.9 | % | ||||
| Optum | 7.5 | % | 6.8 | % | 7.4 | % | 6.6 | % | ||||
| Consolidated operating margin | 8.4 | % | 14.9 | % | 9.0 | % | 11.2 | % | ||||
| Revenues | ||||||||||||
| UnitedHealthcare Employer Individual | $14,942 | $12,963 | $29,574 | $27,243 | ||||||||
| UnitedHealthcare Medicare Retirement | 25,304 | 22,855 | 50,778 | 46,007 | ||||||||
| UnitedHealthcare Community State | 13,110 | 11,523 | 26,083 | 22,976 | ||||||||
| UnitedHealthcare Global | 2,118 | 1,766 | 4,153 | 3,949 | ||||||||
| OptumHealth | $13,300 | $9,139 | $25,703 | $18,331 | ||||||||
| OptumInsight | 2,957 | 2,632 | 5,809 | 5,126 | ||||||||
| OptumRx | 22,524 | 21,371 | 44,128 | 42,928 | ||||||||
| Optum eliminations | (478) | (447) | (953) | (851) |
(a)Earnings from operations for Optum for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 included $1,128 and $2,090 for OptumHealth $762 and $1,541 for OptumInsight and $993 and $1,883 for OptumRx, respectively. Earnings from operations for Optum for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 included $841 and $1,553 for OptumHealth $561 and $1,097 for OptumInsight and $832 and $1,692 for OptumRx, respectively.
SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION - BUSINESS METRICS
UNITEDHEALTHCARE CUSTOMER PROFILE
| People Served | June 30, 2021 | March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | June 30, 2020 | ||||||||
| Commercial | ||||||||||||
| Risk-based | 7,840 | 7,860 | 7,910 | 8,065 | ||||||||
| Fee-based | 18,395 | 18,455 | 18,310 | 18,705 | ||||||||
| Total Commercial | 26,235 | 26,315 | 26,220 | 26,770 | ||||||||
| Medicare Advantage | 6,385 | 6,335 | 5,710 | 5,605 | ||||||||
| Medicaid | 7,130 | 6,975 | 6,620 | 6,210 | ||||||||
| Medicare Supplement (Standardized) | 4,390 | 4,390 | 4,460 | 4,450 | ||||||||
| Total Community and Senior | 17,905 | 17,700 | 16,790 | 16,265 | ||||||||
| Total UnitedHealthcare - Domestic Medical | 44,140 | 44,015 | 43,010 | 43,035 | ||||||||
| Global | 5,485 | 5,460 | 5,425 | 5,365 | ||||||||
| Total UnitedHealthcare - Medical | 49,625 | 49,475 | 48,435 | 48,400 | ||||||||
| Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||
| Medicare Part D stand-alone | 3,750 | 3,795 | 4,045 | 4,120 |
OPTUM PERFORMANCE METRICS
| June 30, 2021 | March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | June 30, 2020 | |||||
| OptumHealth Consumers Served (in millions) | 99 | 99 | 98 | 97 | ||||
| OptumInsight Contract Backlog (in billions) | $21.3 | $20.8 | $20.2 | $19.4 | ||||
| OptumRx Quarterly Adjusted Scripts (in millions) | 342 | 329 | 331 | 316 |
Note UnitedHealth Group served 146 million unique individuals across all businesses at June 30, 2021.
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURE
(in millions, except per share data)
ADJUSTED NET EARNINGS PER SHARE(a)
| Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | Projected Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | ||||||
| GAAP net earnings attributable to UnitedHealth Group common shareholders | $4,266 | $6,637 | $9,128 | $10,019 | $16,550 - $17,050 | |||||
| Intangible amortization | 305 | 267 | 599 | 532 | 1,190 | |||||
| Tax effect of intangible amortization | (75) | (65) | (146) | (130) | (290) | |||||
| Adjusted net earnings attributable to UnitedHealth Group common shareholders | $4,496 | $6,839 | $9,581 | $10,421 | $17,450 - $17,950 | |||||
| GAAP diluted earnings per share | $4.46 | $6.91 | $9.55 | $10.43 | $17.35 - $17.85 | |||||
| Intangible amortization per share | 0.32 | 0.28 | 0.63 | 0.55 | 1.25 | |||||
| Tax effect per share of intangible amortization | (0.08) | (0.07) | (0.16) | (0.14) | (0.30) | |||||
| Adjusted diluted earnings per share | $4.70 | $7.12 | $10.02 | $10.84 | $18.30 - $18.80 |
(a)Adjusted net earnings per share is a non-GAAP financial measure. Non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Adjusted net earnings per share excludes from the relevant GAAP metric, as applicable, intangible amortization and other items, if any, that do not relate to the Company's underlying business performance. Management believes that the use of adjusted net earnings per share provides investors and management useful information about the earnings impact of acquisition-related intangible asset amortization. As amortization fluctuates based on the size and timing of the Company's acquisition activity, management believes this exclusion provides a more useful comparison of the Company's underlying business performance and trends from period to period. While intangible assets contribute to the Company's revenue generation, the intangible amortization is not directly related. Therefore, the related revenues are included in adjusted earnings per share.