UnitedHealth Group is the largest health insurance company in the United States by revenue and membership. The company operates through two main divisions: UnitedHealthcare for insurance products and Optum for health services.
Founded in 1977, UnitedHealth Group serves over 50 million people across commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid programs. The company ranks seventh on the Fortune Global 500 list and recorded $400.3 billion in revenue for 2024.
UnitedHealth Group employs more than 350,000 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, after relocating from Minnetonka in 2023.
UnitedHealth Group History
UnitedHealth Group Co-founders
UnitedHealth Group Revenue
UnitedHealth Group generated $400.3 billion in revenue during 2024, an 8% increase from the prior year. The company projects revenues between $450 billion and $455 billion for 2025.
UnitedHealthcare insurance operations accounted for $298.2 billion in 2024 revenue. Optum health services contributed the remaining $253 billion through pharmacy benefits, healthcare delivery, and data analytics.
UnitedHealth Group Acquisitions
UnitedHealth Group built its dominant market position through aggressive acquisitions over five decades. The company spent tens of billions of dollars purchasing health plans, pharmacy benefit managers, physician practices, and technology companies.
The 1995 acquisition of MetraHealth Companies for $1.65 billion transformed UnitedHealth from a regional player into a national insurer. MetraHealth brought infrastructure to manage health plans for large corporate employers like General Motors, DuPont, and Sears.
UnitedHealth Group accelerated its acquisition strategy in the 2000s. The company purchased Oxford Health Plans for $4.9 billion in 2004 and PacifiCare Health Systems for $8.1 billion in 2005. These deals expanded UnitedHealth Group’s geographic footprint and membership base significantly.
The 2012 acquisition of Brazil’s Amil Participações for $4.9 billion marked UnitedHealth Group’s entry into international markets. The deal provided access to 200 million Brazilian consumers and established the company’s presence in Latin America. UnitedHealth Group sold its Brazil operations in February 2024.
Optum’s growth accelerated through major purchases including Catamaran for $12.8 billion in 2015, DaVita Medical Group for $4.3 billion in 2019, and Change Healthcare for $13 billion in 2022. The company also acquired LHC Group for $5.4 billion in 2023 and agreed to purchase Amedisys for $3.3 billion to expand home health services.
UnitedHealth Group faced regulatory scrutiny for several acquisitions. The Department of Justice challenged the Change Healthcare deal on antitrust grounds but a federal judge approved the merger. The Change Healthcare acquisition later created challenges when a 2024 ransomware attack disrupted claims processing nationwide.
UnitedHealth Group Market Cap
UnitedHealth Group’s market capitalization stands at approximately $300 billion as of December 2025. The company ranks as the 40th most valuable company globally by market cap.
UnitedHealth Group’s valuation peaked above $500 billion in early 2024 before declining due to regulatory concerns and the Change Healthcare cyberattack impact.
UnitedHealth Group Competitors
UnitedHealth Group competes with major health insurers and integrated healthcare companies across the United States. The company holds approximately 15% of the national health insurance market share.
| Company | Headquarters | Primary Focus |
|---|---|---|
| CVS Health/Aetna | Rhode Island, USA | Integrated Healthcare, Pharmacy |
| Elevance Health (Anthem) | Indiana, USA | Health Insurance, Blue Cross |
| Cigna Group | Connecticut, USA | Health Insurance, PBM Services |
| Humana | Kentucky, USA | Medicare Advantage, Senior Care |
| Kaiser Permanente | California, USA | Integrated Care, HMO |
| Centene Corporation | Missouri, USA | Medicaid, Government Programs |
| Molina Healthcare | California, USA | Medicaid, Medicare |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | Various States | Regional Health Insurance |
| Highmark Health | Pennsylvania, USA | Integrated Health System |
| GuideWell (Florida Blue) | Florida, USA | Health Insurance, Medicare |
FAQs
Who founded UnitedHealth Group?
Richard Taylor Burke founded UnitedHealth Group as Charter Med Incorporated in 1974. The company was reincorporated as United HealthCare Corporation in 1977.
What is the difference between UnitedHealthcare and Optum?
UnitedHealthcare provides health insurance plans for employers, individuals, Medicare, and Medicaid members. Optum delivers pharmacy benefits, healthcare services, and data analytics.
Where is UnitedHealth Group headquartered?
UnitedHealth Group is headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. The company relocated from its former Minnetonka headquarters in 2023.
How many people does UnitedHealth Group insure?
UnitedHealth Group insures over 50 million people in the United States through its UnitedHealthcare division. The company serves 146 million unique individuals across all businesses.
Is UnitedHealth Group the largest health insurer?
Yes, UnitedHealth Group is the largest health insurer in the United States by revenue and membership. The company ranks seventh on the Fortune Global 500.
