UnitedHealth Group Reports 2021 Results

  • Revenues of $287.6 Billion Grew 12% Year-Over-Year, with Double-Digit Growth at both Optum and UnitedHealthcare
  • Cash Flows from Operations were $22.3 Billion or 1.3x Net Income
  • Full Year and Fourth Quarter Net Earnings were $18.08 and $4.26 Per Share
  • Full Year and Fourth Quarter Adjusted Net Earnings were $19.02 and $4.48 Per Share

MINNETONKA, Minn.--()--UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) reported full year and fourth quarter 2021 results led by continued broad-based growth across the enterprise.

Our strong 2021 performance and confident growth outlook for 2022 and beyond reflect the accelerating innovation and expanding capabilities across Optum and UnitedHealthcare,” said Andrew Witty, chief executive officer of UnitedHealth Group.

UnitedHealth Group affirmed the 2022 growth and performance objectives established at its November 30, 2021 Investor Conference, including revenues of $317 billion to $320 billion, net earnings of $20.20 to $20.70 per share, adjusted net earnings of $21.10 to $21.60 per share and cash flows from operations of $23 billion to $24 billion. The Company confirmed the 2022 growth forecast elements provided at its Investor Conference, including for people served through Medicare Advantage.

Quarterly and Annual Financial Performance

 

 

Three Months Ended


Year Ended


 

December 31,

2021

December 31,

2020

September 30,

2021

December 31,

2021

December 31,

2020

 

Revenues

 

$73.7 billion

 

$65.5 billion

 

$72.3 billion

 

$287.6 billion

 

$257.1 billion

 

Earnings from Operations

 

 

$5.5 billion

 

 

$3.5 billion

 

 

$5.7 billion

 

 

$24.0 billion

 

 

$22.4 billion

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Margin

5.5%

3.4%

5.6%

6.0%

6.0%

 
  • UnitedHealth Group’s full year 2021 revenues grew $30.5 billion or 11.8% to $287.6 billion year-over-year, with broad-based growth across the Optum and UnitedHealthcare businesses.
  • Full year 2021 earnings from operations were $24.0 billion, with the Optum businesses comprising over half of the total. Full year adjusted net earnings grew 13% to $19.02 per share.
  • The full year 2021 medical care ratio of 82.6% compared to 79.1% in the previous year, with the increase due to higher COVID-19 costs and the repeal of the health insurance tax. The fourth quarter 2021 medical care ratio was 83.7%. Favorable medical reserve development was $440 million in the quarter compared to $850 million last year. Days claims payable of 46.8 days compared to 47.8 days at year end 2020 and 50.4 days in the third quarter 2021. The sequential difference reflects timing factors which will normalize in the first quarter 2022.
  • The full year 2021 operating cost ratio of 14.8% decreased from 16.2% in 2021 due to the repeal of the health insurance tax, COVID-19 effects and continued productivity advances, offset by business mix and continued investments for future growth.
  • Growth in investment and other income reflects the impact of the Company’s continued collaborative growth and innovation efforts with Optum Ventures.
  • Cash flows from operations for the full year 2021 were $22.3 billion or 1.3x times net income. In 2021 the Company returned $5.3 billion to shareholders via dividends, an increase of 15% from a year ago, and repurchased 12.8 million shares for $5.0 billion. Return on equity of 25.2% in 2021 reflected strong overall performance and the efficient capital structure of the enterprise.

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 improving health and wellness, enhancing the quality of care received, simplifying the health care experience and reducing the total cost of care.

Quarterly and Annual Financial Performance

 

Three Months Ended


Year Ended


 

December 31,

2021

December 31,

2020

September 30,

2021

December 31,

2021

December 31,

2020

Revenues

$56.4 billion

$50.3 billion

$55.9 billion

$222.9 billion

$200.9 billion

 

Earnings from Operations

$2.1 billion

$396 million

$2.7 billion

$12.0 billion

$12.4 billion

 

Operating Margin

3.8%

0.8%

4.7%

5.4%

6.2%

  • UnitedHealthcare full year revenues of $222.9 billion grew $22.0 billion or 11.0% year over year reflecting strong broad-based growth.

  • Total people served by UnitedHealthcare grew by 2.2 million in 2021, led by continued strong growth in Medicare Advantage and Dual Special Needs Plans and expansion in the broader Medicaid market. Including Dual Special Needs Plans, Medicare Advantage membership grew to serve more than 900,000 additional people in 2021 with strong gains in both individual and group offerings. New regions served in Indiana, Kentucky and North Carolina contributed to broader Medicaid growth this past year and new Medicaid contracts were awarded in Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio and Tennessee with expansion in Missouri. Commercial benefits served 360,000 more consumers across its growing portfolio of innovative new products.

  • Full year operating earnings were $12.0 billion compared to $12.4 billion last year, reflecting strong membership expansion and effective medical and operating cost management, offset by negative COVID-19 effects.

Optum’s health services businesses serve 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 and Annual Financial Performance

 

 

Three Months Ended


Year Ended


 

 

December 31,

2021

 

December 31,

2020

 

September 30,

2021

 

December 31,

2021

 

December 31,

2020

 

Revenues

 

$41.1 billion

 

$35.9 billion

 

$39.8 billion

 

$155.6 billion

 

$136.3 billion

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings from Operations

$3.4 billion

$3.1 billion

$3.1 billion

$12.0 billion

$10.0 billion

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Margin

8.3%

8.7%

7.7%

7.7%

7.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Optum full year revenues of $155.6 billion grew $19.3 billion or 14.1% year-over-year, while full year operating earnings of $12.0 billion increased $1.9 billion or 19.4% compared to the previous year.
  • Optum Health served 100 million people at year end 2021, compared to 98 million a year ago. Revenue per consumer served for the full year increased 33% driven by further expansion of people served in value-based care arrangements and the continued build-out of care delivery capabilities, including in-home physical and digital offerings complementing its growing clinic-based and outpatient services.
  • Optum Insight’s revenue backlog increased by $2.2 billion in 2021 to $22.4 billion, driven by growth in comprehensive managed services. Significant new health system partnerships in 2021 and the breadth of services offered by Optum Insight continued to advance in areas such as payment integrity, digital modernization and care coordination.
  • Optum Rx continued to advance the scope of its pharmacy care services offerings during 2021, with further expansion in community-based behavioral pharmacies and across e-commerce, infusion and specialty pharmacy services. Optum Rx fulfilled 1.37 billion adjusted scripts in 2021, growth of 58 million or 4.4% over the prior year, through new and existing client relationships.

About UnitedHealth Group

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) is a health care and well-being company with a mission to help people live healthier lives and help make the health system work better for everyone through two distinct and complementary businesses. Optum delivers care aided by technology and data, empowering people, partners and providers with the guidance and tools they need to achieve better health. UnitedHealthcare offers a full range of health benefits, enabling affordable coverage, simplifying the health care experience and delivering access to high-quality care. Visit UnitedHealth Group at www.unitedhealthgroup.com and 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 February 2, 2022. The conference call replay can also be accessed by dialing 1-888-203-1112, Conference Code: 2633828. This earnings release and the Form 8-K dated January 19, 2022, 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 and pharmacy services industries; competitive pressures, including our ability to develop and deliver innovative products to health care payers and expand access to virtual care; changes in or challenges to our public sector contract awards; our ability to contract on competitive terms with health care payers, 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.

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP
Earnings Release Schedules and Supplementary Information
Year Ended December 31, 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
 
UNITEDHEALTH GROUP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in millions, except per share data)
(unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
Year Ended
December 31,

2021

2020

2021

2020

Revenues
Premiums

$57,547

$50,581

$226,233

$201,478

Products

8,961

8,690

34,437

34,145

Services

6,422

5,751

24,603

20,016

Investment and other income

813

445

2,324

1,502

Total revenues

73,743

65,467

287,597

257,141

Operating costs
Medical costs

48,159

42,082

186,911

159,396

Operating costs

11,272

11,514

42,579

41,704

Cost of products sold

8,000

7,622

31,034

30,745

Depreciation and amortization

771

732

3,103

2,891

Total operating costs

68,202

61,950

263,627

234,736

Earnings from operations

5,541

3,517

23,970

22,405

Interest expense

(431)

(401)

(1,660)

(1,663)

Earnings before income taxes

5,110

3,116

22,310

20,742

Provision for income taxes

(919)

(764)

(4,578)

(4,973)

Net earnings

4,191

2,352

17,732

15,769

Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests

(120)

(140)

(447)

(366)

Net earnings attributable to UnitedHealth Group
common shareholders

$4,071

$2,212

$17,285

$15,403

Diluted earnings per share attributable to
UnitedHealth Group common shareholders

$4.26

$2.30

$18.08

$16.03

Adjusted earnings per share attributable to
UnitedHealth Group common shareholders (a)

$4.48

$2.52

$19.02

$16.88

Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding

955

961

956

961

 

(a) See page 6 for a reconciliation of the non-GAAP measure

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions)
(unaudited)
 

December 31,

December 31,

2021

2020

Assets
Cash and short-term investments

$23,907

$19,781

Accounts receivable, net

14,216

12,870

Other current assets

23,635

21,067

Total current assets

61,758

53,718

Long-term investments

43,114

41,242

Other long-term assets

107,334

102,329

Total assets

$212,206

$197,289

Liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity
Medical costs payable

$24,483

$21,872

Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt

3,620

4,819

Other current liabilities

50,189

45,729

Total current liabilities

$78,292

$72,420

Long-term debt, less current maturities

42,383

38,648

Other long-term liabilities

15,052

15,682

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

1,434

2,211

Equity

75,045

68,328

Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity

$212,206

$197,289

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in millions)
(unaudited)
 
Year Ended
December 31,

2021

2020

Operating Activities
Net earnings

$17,732

$15,769

Noncash items:
Depreciation and amortization

3,103

2,891

Deferred income taxes and other

(814)

(60)

Share-based compensation

800

679

Net changes in operating assets and liabilities

1,522

2,895

Cash flows from operating activities

22,343

22,174

Investing Activities
Purchases of investments, net of sales and maturities

(1,843)

(2,836)

Purchases of property, equipment and capitalized software

(2,454)

(2,051)

Cash paid for acquisitions, net

(4,821)

(7,139)

Other, net

(1,254)

(506)

Cash flows used for investing activities

(10,372)

(12,532)

Financing Activities
Common share repurchases

(5,000)

(4,250)

Dividends paid

(5,280)

(4,584)

Net change in short-term borrowings and long-term debt

2,481

2,586

Other, net

344

2,658

Cash flows used for financing activities

(7,455)

(3,590)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

(62)

(116)

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

4,454

5,936

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

16,921

10,985

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$21,375

$16,921

 

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP
SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION - BUSINESSES
(in millions, except percentages)
(unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
Year Ended
December 31,

2021

2020

2021

2020

Revenues
UnitedHealthcare

$56,384

$50,327

$222,899

$200,875

Optum

41,093

35,851

155,565

136,308

Eliminations

(23,734)

(20,711)

(90,867)

(80,042)

Total consolidated revenues

$73,743

$65,467

$287,597

$257,141

Earnings from Operations
UnitedHealthcare

$2,121

$396

$11,975

$12,359

Optum (a)

3,420

3,121

11,995

10,046

Total consolidated earnings from operations

$5,541

$3,517

$23,970

$22,405

Operating Margin
UnitedHealthcare

3.8%

0.8%

5.4%

6.2%

Optum

8.3%

8.7%

7.7%

7.4%

Consolidated operating margin

7.5%

5.4%

8.3%

8.7%

Revenues
UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual

$15,355

$14,548

$60,023

$55,872

UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement

24,843

22,151

100,552

90,764

UnitedHealthcare Community & State

14,133

11,691

53,979

46,487

UnitedHealthcare Global

2,053

1,937

8,345

7,752

 
Optum Health

$14,550

$10,978

$54,065

$39,808

Optum Insight

3,251

2,909

12,199

10,802

Optum Rx

23,849

22,489

91,314

87,498

Optum eliminations

(557)

(525)

(2,013)

(1,800)

 
(a) Earnings from operations for Optum for the three months and year ended December 31, 2021 included $1,229 and $4,462 for Optum Health; $951 and $3,398 for Optum Insight; and $1,240 and $4,135 for Optum Rx, respectively. Earnings from operations for Optum for the three months and year ended December 31, 2020 included $1,046 and $3,434 for Optum Health; $843 and $2,725 for Optum Insight; and $1,232 and $3,887 for Optum Rx, respectively.

 

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP
SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION - BUSINESS METRICS
 
UNITEDHEALTHCARE CUSTOMER PROFILE
 (in thousands)
 
People Served December 31, 2021 September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020
 
Commercial:
Risk-based

7,985

7,960

7,910

Fee-based

18,595

18,595

18,310

Total Commercial

26,580

26,555

26,220

Medicare Advantage

6,490

6,455

5,710

Medicaid

7,655

7,510

6,620

Medicare Supplement (Standardized)

4,395

4,405

4,460

Total Community and Senior

18,540

18,370

16,790

Total UnitedHealthcare - Domestic Medical

45,120

44,925

43,010

Global

5,510

5,490

5,425

Total UnitedHealthcare - Medical

50,630

50,415

48,435

 
Supplemental Data
Medicare Part D stand-alone

3,700

3,725

4,045

 

OPTUM PERFORMANCE METRICS

 
December 31, 2021 September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020
 
Optum Health Consumers Served (in millions)

100

99

98

Optum Insight Contract Backlog (in billions)

$22.4

$22.3

$20.2

Optum Rx Quarterly Adjusted Scripts (in millions)

353

344

331

Note:  UnitedHealth Group served 147 million unique individuals across all businesses at December 31, 2021.
UNITEDHEALTH GROUP
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURE
(in millions, except per share data)
(unaudited)
 
ADJUSTED NET EARNINGS PER SHARE(a)
 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
Year Ended
December 31,
Projected
Year Ended
December 31,

2021

2020

2021

2020

2022

GAAP net earnings attributable to UnitedHealth Group common shareholders

$4,071

$2,212

$17,285

$15,403

$19,150 - $19,725
Intangible amortization 

280

279

1,184

1,080

~1,130
Tax effect of intangible amortization 

(68)

(68)

(288)

(262)

~(280)
Adjusted net earnings attributable to UnitedHealth Group common shareholders 

$4,283

$2,423

$18,181

$16,221

$20,000 - $20,575
 
GAAP diluted earnings per share

$4.26

$2.30

$18.08

$16.03

$20.20 - $20.70
Intangible amortization per share

                              0.29

                    0.29

                    1.24

                    1.12

~1.20
Tax effect per share of intangible amortization

                             (0.07)

                  (0.07)

                  (0.30)

                  (0.27)

~(0.30)
Adjusted diluted earnings per share

$4.48

$2.52

$19.02

$16.88

$21.10 - $21.60
(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.

 

Contacts

Investors:
Brett Manderfeld
Senior Vice President
952-936-7216
brett_manderfeld@uhg.com

Media:
Matt Stearns
Senior Vice President
202-276-0085
matt.stearns@uhg.com

Release Summary

Q4 2021 Earnings Release

Contacts

Investors:
Brett Manderfeld
Senior Vice President
952-936-7216
brett_manderfeld@uhg.com

Media:
Matt Stearns
Senior Vice President
202-276-0085
matt.stearns@uhg.com