UnitedHealth Group (“United”) reported strong profits of $6.28 billion for the first quarter of 2026 on revenues of $111.7 billion. United’s strong profits and revenues beat analysts’ expectations and prompted United to boost its earnings forecast for the year to more than $18.25 per share.
UnitedHealthcare’s revenues were $86.3 billion in the first quarter, up from $84.6 billion from the prior year quarter.
United reported a medical cost ratio (”MCR”) of 83.9%, 90 basis points lower than the first quarter of 2025. A health insurer’s MCR represents the insurer’s spending on claims compared with its earnings from premiums. Unfortunately, the attorneys at Whatley Kallas, LLP are seeing health insurance companies deny and underpay legitimate claims submitted by our provider clients for medically necessary services provided to the insurers’ members. United’s low MCR has increased its profits.
United also reported an increase in the time for claims payments. Days claims payable in the first quarter were 48.6 compared with 44.1 in the fourth quarter of 2025 and 45.5 in the first quarter of 2025.
United’s press release announcing its first quarter 2026 earnings is linked here.