News Briefs: UnitedHealth Reaffirms Full-Year Earnings Guidance Despite Cyberattack Impact

Apr 18
Apr 18, 2024

Although the cyberattack on its Change Healthcare subsidiary cost the company about $870 million, or 74 cents per share, in the first quarter of 2024, UnitedHealth Group on April 16 reaffirmed its full-year adjusted earnings per share (EPS) guidance of $27.50 to $28.00. Reporting financial results for the quarter ending March 31, the company said its Medicare Advantage business saw heightened outpatient care utilization that was consistent with what it experienced in the first half of 2023 and planned for in 2024. Winter seasonal activity that included vaccinations, higher incidents of respiratory illness and related physician office visits have subsided, management said. “If other MCOs had the same experience, it would be most positive” for Humana, “given its guidance for persistent, elevated utilization and investors’ likely preference for a 50%+ EPS recovery story (HUM) over slightly better revenue/EPS growth,” wrote Jefferies analysts on April 17. Revenue for the UnitedHealthcare segment grew 7% from the prior-year quarter to $75.4 billion, reflecting enrollment growth in its commercial and senior segments that was offset by expected declines in Medicaid due to ongoing eligibility redeterminations. UnitedHealthcare highlighted major managed Medicaid wins in Michigan, Texas and Virginia but expressed disappointment in the recent Florida selections. Read more
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Lauren Flynn Kelly

Lauren has been covering health business issues since the early 2000s and specializes in in-depth reporting on Medicare Advantage, managed Medicaid and Medicare Part D. She also possesses a deep understanding of the complex world of pharmacy benefit management, having written AIS Health’s Radar on Drug Benefits from 2004 to 2005 and again from 2011 to 2016. In addition to her role as managing editor of Radar on Medicare Advantage, she oversees AIS Health’s publications and manages the health editorial staff. She graduated from Vassar College with a B.A. in English.