UnitedHealth tops 3Q forecasts as it resets coverage prices to deal with rising costs

UnitedHealth has returned to better-than-expected growth after starting the year swamped by medical costs and then withdrawing its forecast for 2025.

Leaders of the health care giant said Tuesday that care use is now climbing at rates they expected, and the company envisions annual growth next year that accelerates in 2027. In the meantime, UnitedHealth is going through a transition year, resetting health insurance prices and trimming unprofitable parts of that business.

That includes cuts to its individual health insurance enrollment and losing about 1 million customers from its Medicare Advantage business. That provides privately run versions of the government’s coverage program mainly for people age 65 and over.

With 8.4 million customers, UnitedHealth is the nation’s largest provi