UNITEDHEALTH GROUP INCORPORATED (Delaware) - UNH STOCK NEWS

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) provided its updated 2020 outlook and initial 2021 projections at its annual Investor Conference. For 2020, revenues are expected to be around $257 billion, with net earnings of approximately $15.90 per share. In contrast, the initial 2021 outlook indicates revenues between $277 billion and $280 billion, with net earnings projected between $16.90 and $17.40 per share. The 2021 estimates include potential unfavorable impacts of $1.80 per share due to COVID-19 related factors. Cash flows from operations for 2021 are expected to range from $20 billion to $21 billion.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) will hold its annual Investor Conference virtually on December 1, 2020, starting at 9:00 a.m. ET. Senior leaders will discuss advancements in health care quality and outcomes, patient experiences, and strategies for reducing health care costs. An overview of the company's growth priorities for 2021 will also be shared. Financial performance updates for 2020, along with an initial outlook for 2021, will be released at approximately 6:30 a.m. ET on the same day. The conference will be streamed online, and a replay will be available afterward.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) has appointed Matthew W. Friedrich as executive vice president and chief legal officer, effective January 11, 2021. He succeeds Marianne D. Short, who will retire after serving in the role since 2013. Friedrich previously held senior legal roles at Cognizant and Chevron and has extensive experience in both the private and public sectors. CEO David S. Wichmann praised Friedrich's expertise, suggesting it will greatly benefit the company. Short will remain with UnitedHealth in a strategic advisory role through 2023.

The United Health Foundation is partnering with Any Baby Can for a three-year initiative worth $2 million to enhance at-home care for at-risk prenatal women. The collaboration focuses on improving pregnancy outcomes and reducing pre-term births through the Nurse-Family Partnership program in Austin, Texas. Grant funding will facilitate training for mothers at risk for preeclampsia and establish a mental health risk assessment protocol. Texas has a high maternal mortality rate of 18.5 per 100,000 live births, making this initiative crucial for better maternal health services.

The United Health Foundation has partnered with the Texas Association of Community Health Centers (TACHC) to enhance diabetes care for adults in Texas, launching a four-year, $2.5 million initiative. This grant aims to assist at least 40,000 diabetic patients in 24 health centers, targeting a decrease in poorly controlled diabetes from 35% to 30%. The program will utilize data for improving care quality and offer a pilot for peer support. Diabetes affects nearly 11% of Americans, costing approximately $327 billion in medical costs and lost productivity.

The UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) board has approved a cash dividend of $1.25 per share, scheduled for payment on December 15, 2020. Shareholders on record as of December 7, 2020 will receive this dividend. UnitedHealth Group operates through two main platforms: UnitedHealthcare, offering health care coverage, and Optum, providing technology-enabled health services. This dividend reflects the company's continued commitment to returning value to shareholders.

The 2020 UnitedHealthcare Consumer Sentiment Survey revealed significant changes in Americans' health plan preferences due to COVID-19. About 44% reported the pandemic influenced their choice of health plans, with 16% prioritizing lower out-of-pocket costs. The survey also highlighted a surge in the use of digital resources, with 56% interested in virtual care and 55% utilizing online tools for healthcare comparison. Additionally, 78% felt prepared for open enrollment, emphasizing the importance of vision and dental coverage among respondents.

According to the latest Optum Survey on AI in Health Care, 59% of 500 surveyed health care executives believe their organizations will recover AI investments in under three years, a significant jump from 31% in 2018. The average expected return on AI investments has improved to 3.6 years. A key priority identified is hiring skilled talent in AI, with 95% of executives emphasizing its importance. The top AI applications include monitoring IoT device data (40%), accelerating research (37%), and accurate coding for diagnoses (37%). These insights underscore the growing confidence in AI's transformative potential in health care.