Optum again a big revenue driver for UnitedHealth in 2021

By TOM MURPHY
AP Health Writer

UnitedHealth Group posted strong fourth-quarter earnings led by double-digit growth in its Optum division. The largest U.S. health insurance provider posted fourth-quarter net income Wednesday of $4.07 billion. Removing one-time benefits and charges, per-share earnings were $4.48, or 18 cents better than expected on Wall Street. Revenue, at $73.74 billion, also topped expectations. Optum runs one of the nation’s largest pharmacy benefits managers and provides care through its OptumHealth network of doctors, clinics and surgery centers. That segment served 100 million people last year and saw its revenue per customer increase by a third.