The BusinessWeek 50 Ranking
5
UnitedHealth Group
Through employers, associations such as AARP, and state governments, UnitedHealth now counts a staggering 55 million Americans among its customers. A serial acquirer in a fast-consolidating industry, the diversified health-care management firm added the Oxford Health Plans in the New York area in 2004. Such deals help drive rich gains, such as 2004's 42% rise in net earnings. To keep the gains coming, the Minnetonka (Minn.) outfit is moving into serving state Medicaid programs and health-related transaction processing.
Company Info
| 2004 Rank | 4 |
| STOCK INFO | UNH |
| Market Value | $58.6 BILLION |
| Total Return | (1-yr.) 47.1%
(3-yr.) 151.8% |
| 2004 sales | $37.2 BILLION |
| Sales Growth | (1-yr.) 29%
(3-yr.) 16.5% |
| Net income | $2.6 BILLION |
| Net Income Growth | (1-yr.) 42%
(3-yr.) 40.8% |
| Net Margin* | 7.0% |
| Return on Equity* | 24.1% |
| Industry | HEALTH-CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES |
| CORPORATE WEB SITE | |
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*Trailing 12 months
Company data as of 2/28/05 provided by Standard & Poor's Compustat
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Company Snapshot
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated provides health care services in the United States. It operates in four segments: Uniprise, Health Care Services, Specialized Care Services, and Ingenix. Uniprise segment provides a range of employer business services to meet the needs of national employers and health plans. Health Care Services segment offers network-based health care services through its AmeriChoice, Ovations, and UnitedHealthcare businesses. Specialized Care Services segment offers health and wellness benefits, services, and resources. It provides chiropractic care, physical therapy, complementary medicine, and health and wellness services; integrated personal health management solutions, including consumer health information, education, and decision support services; and life, disability, dental, stop-loss, and critical illness insurance for employers and their employees. Ingenix segment provides a range of data and software analytics, warehousing, and technology services and products that help the customers in delivering health care services. The company’s customers include pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies; health insurers and other payers; physicians and other health care providers; large employers; and government agencies. As of December 31, 2004, the company provided health care services and resources to individuals through approximately 460,000 physicians and 4,200 hospitals. UnitedHealth Group was created in 1977 under the name United HealthCare Corporation and changed its name to UnitedHealth Group Incorporated in 1998. UnitedHealth Group is based in Minnetonka, Minnesota.
No. of Employees
40,000
Data provided by 
