UnitedHealth Group’s Profit up Thirty Percent

Managed care company UnitedHealth Group says its fourth-quarter profit rose 30 percent, on higher premium revenue, despite a continued decline in commercial enrollment. The Minnetonka, Minn., insurer says it earned $944 million, or 81 cents per share, in the three months that ended Dec. 31. That’s up from $726 million, or 60 cents per share, in the same period of 2008.

Revenue rose 6.5 percent to $21.78 billion. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters forecast a profit of 73 cents per share on $21.72 billion in revenue. Commercial enrollment continued sliding during the quarter. It consists mostly of employer-based and individual health plans and generates higher profit margins for insurers than government business like Medicaid.

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