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EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - UNITEDHEALTH GROUP INCunhex3219302017.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - UNITEDHEALTH GROUP INCunhex3119302017.htm
EX-12.1 - EXHIBIT 12.1 - UNITEDHEALTH GROUP INCunhex1219302017.htm
EX-10.3 - EXHIBIT 10.3 - UNITEDHEALTH GROUP INCunhex1039302017.htm
EX-10.2 - EXHIBIT 10.2 - UNITEDHEALTH GROUP INCunhex1029302017.htm
EX-10.1 - EXHIBIT 10.1 - UNITEDHEALTH GROUP INCunhex1019302017.htm

 
 
 
 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
__________________________________________________________ 
Form 10-Q
__________________________________________________________ 
[X]
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2017
or
[ ]
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM _______ TO _______
Commission file number: 1-10864
__________________________________________________________ 
    uhglogo1a01a01a11.jpg
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 __________________________________________________________ 
Delaware
 
41-1321939
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
 
UnitedHealth Group Center
9900 Bren Road East
Minnetonka, Minnesota
 
55343
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
(952) 936-1300
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
__________________________________________________________  
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:
Large accelerated filer
[X]
 
Accelerated filer
[ ]
 
Non-accelerated filer
[ ]
 
Smaller reporting company
[ ]
 
Emerging growth company
[ ]
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes [ ] No [X]
As of October 31, 2017, there were 969,067,449 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, $.01 par value per share, issued and outstanding.
 
 
 
 
 

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP
Table of Contents
 
 
 
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




PART I
ITEM 1.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
UnitedHealth Group
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(in millions, except per share data)
 
September 30,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
Assets
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
16,269

 
$
10,430

Short-term investments
 
3,525

 
2,845

Accounts receivable, net
 
8,638

 
8,152

Other current receivables, net
 
6,826

 
7,499

Assets under management
 
3,082

 
3,105

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
2,581

 
1,848

Total current assets
 
40,921

 
33,879

Long-term investments
 
27,703

 
23,868

Property, equipment and capitalized software, net
 
6,562

 
5,901

Goodwill
 
53,402

 
47,584

Other intangible assets, net
 
8,457

 
8,541

Other assets
 
3,387

 
3,037

Total assets
 
$
140,432

 
$
122,810

Liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Medical costs payable
 
$
17,963

 
$
16,391

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
 
15,878

 
13,361

Commercial paper and current maturities of long-term debt
 
4,539

 
7,193

Unearned revenues
 
6,635

 
1,968

Other current liabilities
 
13,073

 
10,339

Total current liabilities
 
58,088

 
49,252

Long-term debt, less current maturities
 
24,723

 
25,777

Future policy benefits
 
2,535

 
2,524

Deferred income taxes
 
2,697

 
2,761

Other liabilities
 
2,909

 
2,307

Total liabilities
 
90,952

 
82,621

Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)
 


 


Redeemable noncontrolling interests
 
2,170

 
2,012

Equity:
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value - 10 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding
 

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value - 3,000 shares authorized; 969 and 952 issued and outstanding
 
10

 
10

Additional paid-in capital
 
1,801

 

Retained earnings
 
45,840

 
40,945

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(2,353
)
 
(2,681
)
Nonredeemable noncontrolling interest
 
2,012

 
(97
)
Total equity
 
47,310

 
38,177

Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity
 
$
140,432

 
$
122,810



1


UnitedHealth Group
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions, except per share data)
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
 
$
39,552

 
$
36,142

 
$
118,075

 
$
107,366

Products
 
6,665

 
6,696

 
19,209

 
19,699

Services
 
3,858

 
3,264

 
11,089

 
9,673

Investment and other income
 
247

 
191

 
725

 
567

Total revenues
 
50,322

 
46,293

 
149,098

 
137,305

Operating costs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Medical costs
 
32,201

 
29,040

 
96,829

 
87,342

Operating costs
 
7,387

 
7,033

 
21,737

 
20,584

Cost of products sold
 
6,068

 
6,125

 
17,633

 
18,108

Depreciation and amortization
 
578

 
515

 
1,667

 
1,528

Total operating costs
 
46,234

 
42,713

 
137,866

 
127,562

Earnings from operations
 
4,088

 
3,580

 
11,232

 
9,743

Interest expense
 
(294
)
 
(269
)
 
(878
)
 
(799
)
Earnings before income taxes
 
3,794

 
3,311

 
10,354

 
8,944

Provision for income taxes
 
(1,233
)
 
(1,333
)
 
(3,252
)
 
(3,579
)
Net earnings
 
2,561

 
1,978

 
7,102

 
5,365

Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(76
)
 
(10
)
 
(161
)
 
(32
)
Net earnings attributable to UnitedHealth Group common shareholders
 
$
2,485

 
$
1,968

 
$
6,941

 
$
5,333

Earnings per share attributable to UnitedHealth Group common shareholders:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
2.57

 
$
2.07

 
$
7.22

 
$
5.60

Diluted
 
$
2.51

 
$
2.03

 
$
7.06

 
$
5.51

Basic weighted-average number of common shares outstanding
 
968

 
952

 
962

 
952

Dilutive effect of common share equivalents
 
21

 
17

 
21

 
16

Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding
 
989

 
969

 
983

 
968

Anti-dilutive shares excluded from the calculation of dilutive effect of common share equivalents
 
1

 
1

 
6

 
3

Cash dividends declared per common share
 
$
0.750

 
$
0.625

 
$
2.125

 
$
1.750



2



UnitedHealth Group
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)

 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Net earnings
 
$
2,561

 
$
1,978

 
$
7,102

 
$
5,365

Other comprehensive income (loss) :
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities during the period
 
44

 
(21
)
 
313

 
473

Income tax effect
 
(17
)
 
7

 
(111
)
 
(173
)
Total unrealized gains (losses), net of tax
 
27

 
(14
)
 
202

 
300

Gross reclassification adjustment for net realized gains included in net earnings
 
(10
)
 
(26
)
 
(51
)
 
(97
)
Income tax effect
 
4

 
9

 
19

 
35

Total reclassification adjustment, net of tax
 
(6
)
 
(17
)
 
(32
)
 
(62
)
Total foreign currency translation gains (losses)
 
217

 
(69
)
 
158

 
793

Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
238

 
(100
)
 
328

 
1,031

Comprehensive income
 
2,799

 
1,878

 
7,430

 
6,396

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(76
)
 
(10
)
 
(161
)
 
(32
)
Comprehensive income attributable to UnitedHealth Group common shareholders
 
$
2,723

 
$
1,868

 
$
7,269

 
$
6,364



3


UnitedHealth Group
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
(Unaudited)
 
 
Common Stock
 
Additional Paid-In Capital
 
Retained Earnings
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss)
Income
 
Nonredeemable Noncontrolling Interest
 
Total
Equity
(in millions)
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
 
Net Unrealized (Losses) Gains on Investments
 
Foreign Currency Translation (Losses) Gains
 
 
Balance at January 1, 2017
 
952

 
$
10

 
$

 
$
40,945

 
$
(97
)
 
$
(2,584
)
 
$
(97
)
 
$
38,177

Net earnings
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6,941

 
 
 
 
 
120

 
7,061

Other comprehensive income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
170

 
158

 
 
 
328

Issuances of common stock,
and related tax effects
 
24

 

 
2,156

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2,156

Share-based compensation
 
 
 
 
 
447

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
447

Common share repurchases
 
(7
)
 

 
(1,173
)
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1,173
)
Cash dividends paid on common shares
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(2,046
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(2,046
)
 Redeemable noncontrolling interests fair value and other adjustments
 
 
 
 
 
371

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
371

Acquisition of nonredeemable noncontrolling interest
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2,111

 
2,111

Distribution to nonredeemable noncontrolling interest
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(122
)
 
(122
)
Balance at September 30, 2017
 
969

 
$
10

 
$
1,801

 
$
45,840

 
$
73

 
$
(2,426
)
 
$
2,012

 
$
47,310

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at January 1, 2016
 
953

 
$
10

 
$
29

 
$
37,125

 
$
56

 
$
(3,390
)
 
$
(105
)
 
$
33,725

Adjustment to adopt ASU 2016-09
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
28

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
28

Net earnings
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5,333

 
 
 
 
 
31

 
5,364

Other comprehensive income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
238

 
793

 
 
 
1,031

Issuances of common stock,
 and related tax effects
 
8

 

 
187

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
187

Share-based compensation
 
 
 
 
 
350

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
350

Common share repurchases
 
(9
)
 

 
(242
)
 
(875
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1,117
)
Cash dividends paid on common shares
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1,666
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1,666
)
Acquisition of redeemable noncontrolling interest shares
 
 
 
 
 
(143
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(143
)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests fair value and other adjustments
 
 
 
 
 
(181
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(181
)
Distribution to nonredeemable noncontrolling interest
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(24
)
 
(24
)
Balance at September 30, 2016
 
952

 
$
10

 
$

 
$
39,945

 
$
294

 
$
(2,597
)
 
$
(98
)
 
$
37,554




4


UnitedHealth Group
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)
 
2017
 
2016
Operating activities
 
 
 
 
Net earnings
 
$
7,102

 
$
5,365

Noncash items:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
1,667

 
1,528

Deferred income taxes
 
(459
)
 
(405
)
Share-based compensation
 
456

 
369

Other, net
 
168

 
(68
)
Net change in other operating items, net of effects from acquisitions and changes in AARP balances:
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
 
(244
)
 
(580
)
Other assets
 
(763
)
 
(1,835
)
Medical costs payable
 
1,305

 
1,984

Accounts payable and other liabilities
 
2,283

 
1,280

Unearned revenues
 
4,658

 
3,566

Cash flows from operating activities
 
16,173

 
11,204

Investing activities
 
 
 
 
Purchases of investments
 
(10,626
)
 
(12,231
)
Sales of investments
 
2,809

 
4,422

Maturities of investments
 
4,251

 
3,040

Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash assumed
 
(908
)
 
(2,727
)
Purchases of property, equipment and capitalized software
 
(1,391
)
 
(1,220
)
Other, net
 
(30
)
 
(25
)
Cash flows used for investing activities
 
(5,895
)
 
(8,741
)
Financing activities
 
 
 
 
Common share repurchases
 
(1,173
)
 
(1,117
)
Cash dividends paid
 
(2,046
)
 
(1,666
)
Proceeds from common stock issuances
 
604

 
387

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
 
1,342

 
2,485

Repayments of long-term debt
 
(2,867
)
 
(2,101
)
(Repayments of) proceeds from commercial paper, net
 
(3,352
)
 
693

Customer funds administered
 
3,659

 
1,249

Other, net
 
(624
)
 
(590
)
Cash flows used for financing activities
 
(4,457
)
 
(660
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
 
18

 
70

Increase in cash and cash equivalents
 
5,839

 
1,873

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
 
10,430

 
10,923

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
16,269

 
$
12,796

 
 
 
 
 
Supplemental Schedule of Noncash Investing Activities
 
 
 
 
Common stock issued for acquisition
 
$
2,164

 
$



5


UnitedHealth Group
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
1. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (individually and together with its subsidiaries, “UnitedHealth Group” and “the Company”) is a diversified health and well-being company dedicated to helping people live healthier lives and helping make the health system work better for everyone. Through its diversified family of businesses, the Company leverages core competencies in advanced, enabling technology; health care data, information and intelligence; and clinical care management and coordination to help meet the demands of the health system. These core competencies are deployed within the Company’s two distinct, but strategically aligned, business platforms: health benefits operating under UnitedHealthcare and health services operating under Optum.
The Company has prepared the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements according to U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and has included the accounts of UnitedHealth Group and its subsidiaries. The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. In accordance with the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Company has omitted certain footnote disclosures that would substantially duplicate the disclosures contained in its annual audited Consolidated Financial Statements. Therefore, these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read together with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes included in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 as filed with the SEC (2016 10-K). The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary to present the interim financial statements fairly.
Use of Estimates
These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include certain amounts based on the Company’s best estimates and judgments. The Company’s most significant estimates relate to estimates and judgments for medical costs payable and revenues, valuation and impairment analysis of goodwill and other intangible assets and valuations of certain investments. Certain of these estimates require the application of complex assumptions and judgments, often because they involve matters that are inherently uncertain and will likely change in subsequent periods. The impact of any change in estimates is included in earnings in the period in which the estimate is adjusted.
Revenues
The Company’s revenues include premium, product, and service revenues. Service revenues include net patient service revenues that are recorded based upon established billing rates, less allowances for contractual adjustments, and are recognized as services are provided. For more information about the Company’s revenues, see Notes 2 and 13 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements” in the 2016 10-K. See Note 9 for disaggregation of revenue by segment and type.
As of September 30, 2017, accounts receivables related to products and services were $3.5 billion. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company had no material bad-debt expense and there were no material contract assets, contract liabilities or deferred contract costs recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2017.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, revenue recognized from performance obligations related to prior periods (for example, due to changes in transaction price), was not material.
Revenue expected to be recognized in any future year related to remaining performance obligations, excluding revenue pertaining to contracts that have an original expected duration of one year or less, contracts where revenue is recognized as invoiced and contracts with variable consideration related to undelivered performance obligations, is not material.
Health Insurance Industry Tax
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) included an annual, nondeductible insurance industry tax (Health Insurance Industry Tax) to be levied proportionally across the insurance industry for risk-based health insurance products. A provision in the 2016 Federal Budget imposed a one year moratorium for 2017 on the collection of the Health Insurance Industry Tax. The Company has experienced a lower effective income tax rate in 2017 as compared to 2016 primarily due to the moratorium.
The remainder of the accounting policies disclosed in Note 2 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements” in the 2016 10-K remain unchanged.

6


Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standard Update (ASU) No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” (ASU 2016-02). Under ASU 2016-02, an entity will be required to recognize assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by leases on the entity’s balance sheet for both finance and operating leases. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, an entity can elect to not recognize lease assets and lease liabilities and expense the lease over a straight-line basis for the term of the lease. ASU 2016-02 will require new disclosures that depict the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows pertaining to an entity’s leases. Companies are required to adopt the new standard using a modified retrospective approach for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption of ASU 2016-02 is permitted. When adopted, the Company does not expect ASU 2016-02 to have a material impact on its results of operations, equity or cash flows. The impact of ASU 2016-02 on the Company’s consolidated financial position will be based on leases outstanding at the time of adoption.
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (ASU 2016-01). The new guidance changes the current accounting related to (i) the classification and measurement of certain equity investments, (ii) the presentation of changes in the fair value of financial liabilities measured under the fair value option that are due to instrument-specific credit risk, and (iii) certain disclosures associated with the fair value of financial instruments. Most notably, ASU 2016-01 requires that equity investments, with certain exemptions, be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income as opposed to other comprehensive income. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. As of September 30, 2017, based on equity securities held, the Company does not expect ASU 2016-01 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations, equity or cash flows. The Company will continue to evaluate any changes in its mix of investments or market conditions and the related impact of ASU 2016-01.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” as modified by subsequently issued ASUs 2015-14, 2016-08, 2016-10, 2016-12 and 2016-20 (collectively ASU 2014-09). ASU 2014-09 superseded existing revenue recognition standards with a single model unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards (e.g., an insurance entity’s insurance contracts). The revenue recognition principle in ASU 2014-09 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The Company early adopted the new standard effective January 1, 2017, as allowed, using the modified retrospective approach. A significant majority of the Company’s revenues are not subject to the new guidance. The adoption of ASU 2014-09 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, equity or cash flows as of the adoption date or for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The Company has included the disclosures required by ASU 2014-09 above.
The Company has determined that there have been no other recently adopted or issued accounting standards that had, or will have, a material impact on its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

7


2.    Investments
A summary of short-term and long-term investments by major security type is as follows:
(in millions)
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
September 30, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt securities - available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government and agency obligations
 
$
2,708

 
$
3

 
$
(24
)
 
$
2,687

State and municipal obligations
 
6,997

 
117

 
(20
)
 
7,094

Corporate obligations
 
13,092

 
88

 
(26
)
 
13,154

U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities
 
3,946

 
13

 
(28
)
 
3,931

Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities
 
1,018

 
5

 
(4
)
 
1,019

Total debt securities - available-for-sale
 
27,761

 
226

 
(102
)
 
27,885

Equity securities
 
1,949

 
30

 
(38
)
 
1,941

Debt securities - held-to-maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government and agency obligations
 
259

 

 

 
259

State and municipal obligations
 
4

 

 

 
4

Corporate obligations
 
285

 

 

 
285

Total debt securities - held-to-maturity
 
548

 

 

 
548

Total investments
 
$
30,258

 
$
256

 
$
(140
)
 
$
30,374

December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt securities - available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government and agency obligations
 
$
2,294

 
$
1

 
$
(31
)
 
$
2,264

State and municipal obligations
 
7,120

 
40

 
(101
)
 
7,059

Corporate obligations
 
10,944

 
41

 
(58
)
 
10,927

U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities
 
2,963

 
7

 
(43
)
 
2,927

Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities
 
1,009

 
3

 
(10
)
 
1,002

Total debt securities - available-for-sale
 
24,330

 
92

 
(243
)
 
24,179

Equity securities
 
2,036

 
52

 
(47
)
 
2,041

Debt securities - held-to-maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government and agency obligations
 
250

 
1

 

 
251

State and municipal obligations
 
5

 

 

 
5

Corporate obligations
 
238

 

 

 
238

Total debt securities - held-to-maturity
 
493

 
1

 

 
494

Total investments
 
$
26,859

 
$
145

 
$
(290
)
 
$
26,714

The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities as of September 30, 2017, by contractual maturity, were as follows:
 
 
Available-for-Sale
 
Held-to-Maturity
(in millions)
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
Due in one year or less
 
$
3,650

 
$
3,651

 
$
165

 
$
165

Due after one year through five years
 
10,607

 
10,645

 
125

 
125

Due after five years through ten years
 
6,476

 
6,540

 
113

 
113

Due after ten years
 
2,064

 
2,099

 
145

 
145

U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities
 
3,946

 
3,931

 

 

Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities
 
1,018

 
1,019

 

 

Total debt securities
 
$
27,761

 
$
27,885

 
$
548

 
$
548


8


The fair value of available-for-sale investments with gross unrealized losses by major security type and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position were as follows:
 
 
Less Than 12 Months
 
12 Months or Greater
 
 Total
(in millions)
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
September 30, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt securities - available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government and agency obligations
 
$
1,635

 
$
(11
)
 
$
532

 
$
(13
)
 
$
2,167

 
$
(24
)
State and municipal obligations
 
1,910

 
(15
)
 
429

 
(5
)
 
2,339

 
(20
)
Corporate obligations
 
3,958

 
(17
)
 
496

 
(9
)
 
4,454

 
(26
)
U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities
 
2,233

 
(24
)
 
146

 
(4
)
 
2,379

 
(28
)
Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities
 
351

 
(3
)
 
49

 
(1
)
 
400

 
(4
)
Total debt securities - available-for-sale
 
$
10,087

 
$
(70
)
 
$
1,652

 
$
(32
)
 
$
11,739

 
$
(102
)
Equity securities
 
$
59

 
$
(4
)
 
$
97

 
$
(34
)
 
$
156

 
$
(38
)
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt securities - available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government and agency obligations
 
$
1,794

 
$
(31
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
1,794

 
$
(31
)
State and municipal obligations
 
4,376

 
(101
)
 

 

 
4,376

 
(101
)
Corporate obligations
 
5,128

 
(56
)
 
137

 
(2
)
 
5,265

 
(58
)
U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities
 
2,247

 
(40
)
 
79

 
(3
)
 
2,326

 
(43
)
Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities
 
544

 
(7
)
 
97

 
(3
)
 
641

 
(10
)
Total debt securities - available-for-sale
 
$
14,089

 
$
(235
)
 
$
313

 
$
(8
)
 
$
14,402

 
$
(243
)
Equity securities
 
$
93

 
$
(5
)
 
$
91

 
$
(42
)
 
$
184

 
$
(47
)
The Company’s unrealized losses from all securities as of September 30, 2017 were generated from 9,000 positions out of a total of 29,000 positions. The Company believes that it will collect the principal and interest due on its debt securities that have an amortized cost in excess of fair value. The unrealized losses were primarily caused by interest rate increases and not by unfavorable changes in the credit quality associated with these securities. At each reporting period, the Company evaluates securities for impairment when the fair value of the investment is less than its amortized cost. The Company evaluated the underlying credit quality and credit ratings of the issuers, noting no significant deterioration since purchase. As of September 30, 2017, the Company did not have the intent to sell any of the securities in an unrealized loss position. Therefore, the Company believes these losses to be temporary.
The Company’s investments in equity securities consist of investments in Brazilian real denominated fixed-income funds, employee savings plan related investments, venture capital funds, and dividend paying stocks. The Company evaluated its investments in equity securities for severity and duration of unrealized loss, overall market volatility and other market factors. Additionally, as of September 30, 2017, the Company’s investments included $854 million of equity method investments in operating businesses in the health care sector.
3.    Fair Value
Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements or have fair values disclosed in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. These assets and liabilities are classified into one of three levels of a hierarchy defined by GAAP.
For a description of the methods and assumptions that are used to estimate the fair value and determine the fair value hierarchy classification of each class of financial instrument, see Note 4 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements” in the 2016 10-K.

9


The following table presents a summary of fair value measurements by level and carrying values for items measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:
(in millions)
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets
(Level 1)
 
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
Fair and Carrying
Value
September 30, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
13,462

 
$
2,807

 
$

 
$
16,269

Debt securities - available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government and agency obligations
 
2,405

 
282

 

 
2,687

State and municipal obligations
 

 
7,094

 

 
7,094

Corporate obligations
 
73

 
12,947

 
134

 
13,154

U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities
 

 
3,931

 

 
3,931

Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities
 

 
1,019

 

 
1,019

Total debt securities - available-for-sale
 
2,478

 
25,273

 
134

 
27,885

Equity securities
 
1,804

 
14

 
123

 
1,941

Assets under management
 
763

 
2,319

 

 
3,082

Interest rate swap assets
 

 
50

 

 
50

Total assets at fair value

$
18,507

 
$
30,463

 
$
257

 
$
49,227

Percentage of total assets at fair value
 
37
%
 
62
%
 
1
%
 
100
%
Interest rate swap liabilities
 
$

 
$
12

 
$

 
$
12

December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
10,386

 
$
44

 
$

 
$
10,430

Debt securities - available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government and agency obligations
 
2,017

 
247

 

 
2,264

State and municipal obligations
 

 
7,059

 

 
7,059

Corporate obligations
 
21

 
10,804

 
102

 
10,927

U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities
 

 
2,927

 

 
2,927

Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities
 

 
1,002

 

 
1,002

Total debt securities - available-for-sale
 
2,038

 
22,039

 
102

 
24,179

Equity securities
 
1,591

 
13

 
437

 
2,041

Assets under management
 
1,064

 
2,041

 

 
3,105

Interest rate swap assets
 

 
55

 

 
55

Total assets at fair value
 
$
15,079

 
$
24,192

 
$
539

 
$
39,810

Percentage of total assets at fair value
 
38
%
 
61
%
 
1
%
 
100
%
Interest rate swap liabilities
 
$

 
$
14

 
$

 
$
14

Transfers between levels, if any, are recorded as of the beginning of the reporting period in which the transfer occurs; there were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 or 3 of any financial assets or liabilities during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 or 2016.

10


The following table presents a summary of fair value measurements by level and carrying values for certain financial instruments not measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:
(in millions)
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets
(Level 1)
 
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
Fair
Value
 
Total Carrying Value
September 30, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt securities - held-to-maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government and agency obligations
 
$
256

 
$
3

 
$

 
$
259

 
$
259

State and municipal obligations
 

 

 
4

 
4

 
4

Corporate obligations
 
17

 
1

 
267

 
285

 
285

Total debt securities - held-to-maturity
 
$
273

 
$
4

 
$
271

 
$
548

 
$
548

Other assets
 
$

 
$
477

 
$

 
$
477

 
$
475

Long-term debt and other financing obligations
 
$

 
$
31,686

 
$

 
$
31,686

 
$
28,959

December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt securities - held-to-maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government and agency obligations
 
$
251

 
$

 
$

 
$
251

 
$
250

State and municipal obligations
 

 

 
5

 
5

 
5

Corporate obligations
 
20

 
8

 
210

 
238

 
238

Total debt securities - held-to-maturity
 
$
271

 
$
8

 
$
215

 
$
494

 
$
493

Other assets
 
$

 
$
476

 
$

 
$
476

 
$
471

Long-term debt and other financing obligations
 
$

 
$
31,295

 
$

 
$
31,295

 
$
29,337

Nonfinancial assets and liabilities or financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis are subject to fair value adjustments only in certain circumstances, such as when the Company records an impairment. There were no significant fair value adjustments for these assets and liabilities recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 or 2016.
4.    Other Current Receivables
The Company’s pharmacy care services businesses contract with pharmaceutical manufacturers, some of which provide rebates based on use of the manufacturers’ products by the Company’s clients. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, total pharmaceutical manufacturer rebates receivable included in other receivables in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets amounted to $4.0 billion and $3.3 billion, respectively. See Note 2 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements” in the 2016 10-K for more information on the Company’s pharmaceutical manufacturer rebates.

11


5.    Medical Costs Payable
The following table shows the components of the change in medical costs payable for the nine months ended September 30:
(in millions)
 
2017
 
2016
Medical costs payable, beginning of period
 
$
16,391

 
$
14,330

Acquisitions
 
76

 

Reported medical costs:
 
 
 
 
Current year
 
97,519

 
87,532

Prior years
 
(690
)
 
(190
)
Total reported medical costs
 
96,829

 
87,342

Medical payments:
 
 
 
 
Payments for current year
 
(81,237
)
 
(72,092
)
Payments for prior years
 
(14,096
)
 
(13,080
)
Total medical payments
 
(95,333
)
 
(85,172
)
Medical costs payable, end of period
 
$
17,963

 
$
16,500

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the medical cost reserve development was primarily driven by lower than expected health system utilization levels. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, no individual factors were significant. Medical costs payable included reserves for claims incurred by insured customers but not yet reported to the Company of $12.4 billion and $11.6 billion at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

12


6.     Commercial Paper and Long-Term Debt
Commercial paper and senior unsecured long-term debt consisted of the following:
 
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
(in millions, except percentages)
 
Par
Value
 
Carrying
Value
 
Fair
Value
 
Par
Value
 
Carrying
Value
 
Fair
Value
Commercial paper
 
$
304

 
$
303

 
$
303

 
$
3,633

 
$
3,633

 
$
3,633

Floating rate notes due January 2017
 

 

 

 
750

 
750

 
750

6.000% notes due June 2017
 

 

 

 
441

 
446

 
450

1.450% notes due July 2017
 

 

 

 
750

 
750

 
751

1.400% notes due October 2017
 
625

 
625

 
625

 
625

 
624

 
626

6.000% notes due November 2017
 
156

 
157

 
157

 
156

 
159

 
163

1.400% notes due December 2017
 
750

 
750

 
750

 
750

 
751

 
750

6.000% notes due February 2018
 
1,100

 
1,102

 
1,118

 
1,100

 
1,107

 
1,153

1.900% notes due July 2018
 
1,500

 
1,498

 
1,504

 
1,500

 
1,496

 
1,507

1.700% notes due February 2019
 
750

 
749

 
750

 
750

 
748

 
748

1.625% notes due March 2019
 
500

 
501

 
499

 
500

 
501

 
498

2.300% notes due December 2019
 
500

 
497

 
504

 
500

 
498

 
504

2.700% notes due July 2020
 
1,500

 
1,496

 
1,530

 
1,500

 
1,495

 
1,523

3.875% notes due October 2020
 
450

 
449

 
473

 
450

 
450

 
474

4.700% notes due February 2021
 
400

 
407

 
431

 
400

 
409

 
433

2.125% notes due March 2021
 
750

 
746

 
750

 
750

 
745

 
741

3.375% notes due November 2021
 
500

 
497

 
520

 
500

 
497

 
519

2.875% notes due December 2021
 
750

 
748

 
769

 
750

 
748

 
760

2.875% notes due March 2022
 
1,100

 
1,063

 
1,125

 
1,100

 
1,057

 
1,114

3.350% notes due July 2022
 
1,000

 
996

 
1,044

 
1,000

 
995

 
1,030

0.000% notes due November 2022
 
15

 
11

 
12

 
15

 
11

 
12

2.750% notes due February 2023
 
625

 
612

 
632

 
625

 
609

 
622

2.875% notes due March 2023
 
750

 
771

 
765

 
750

 
771

 
753

3.750% notes due July 2025
 
2,000

 
1,987

 
2,122

 
2,000

 
1,986

 
2,070

3.100% notes due March 2026
 
1,000

 
995

 
1,012

 
1,000

 
994

 
986

3.450% notes due January 2027
 
750

 
745

 
776

 
750

 
745

 
762

3.375% notes due April 2027
 
625

 
618

 
643

 

 

 

4.625% notes due July 2035
 
1,000

 
991

 
1,146

 
1,000

 
991

 
1,090

5.800% notes due March 2036
 
850

 
837

 
1,071

 
850

 
837

 
1,034

6.500% notes due June 2037
 
500

 
491

 
683

 
500

 
491

 
643

6.625% notes due November 2037
 
650

 
641

 
903

 
650

 
640

 
850

6.875% notes due February 2038
 
1,100

 
1,075

 
1,561

 
1,100

 
1,075

 
1,497

5.700% notes due October 2040
 
300

 
296

 
383

 
300

 
296

 
366

5.950% notes due February 2041
 
350

 
345

 
460

 
350

 
345

 
437

4.625% notes due November 2041
 
600

 
588

 
673

 
600

 
588

 
634

4.375% notes due March 2042
 
502

 
483

 
543

 
502

 
483

 
509

3.950% notes due October 2042
 
625

 
607

 
641

 
625

 
606

 
609

4.250% notes due March 2043
 
750

 
734

 
801

 
750

 
734

 
765

4.750% notes due July 2045
 
2,000

 
1,972

 
2,310

 
2,000

 
1,972

 
2,203

4.200% notes due January 2047
 
750

 
738

 
799

 
750

 
737

 
759

4.250% notes due April 2047
 
725

 
717

 
777

 

 

 

Total commercial paper and long-term debt
 
$
29,102

 
$
28,838

 
$
31,565

 
$
33,022

 
$
32,770

 
$
34,728

In 2017, the Company repaid $926 million in debt assumed in the first quarter in connection with an acquisition. The Company’s long-term debt obligations also included $424 million and $200 million of other financing obligations, of which $104 million and $80 million were classified as current as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

13


Long-term Debt
In October 2017, the Company issued $4.0 billion of senior unsecured notes consisting of the following:
(in millions, except percentages)
 
Par
Value
Floating rate notes due October 2020
 
$
300

1.950% notes due October 2020
 
900

2.375% notes due October 2022
 
900

2.950% notes due October 2027
 
950

3.750% notes due October 2047
 
950

Commercial Paper and Bank Credit Facilities
Commercial paper consists of short-duration, senior unsecured debt privately placed on a discount basis through broker-dealers. As of September 30, 2017, the Company’s outstanding commercial paper had a weighted-average annual interest rate of 1.4%.
The Company has $3.0 billion five-year, $2.0 billion three-year and $1.0 billion 364-day revolving bank credit facilities with 23 banks, which mature in December 2021, December 2019 and December 2017, respectively. These facilities provide liquidity support for the Company’s commercial paper program and are available for general corporate purposes. As of September 30, 2017, no amounts had been drawn on any of the bank credit facilities. The annual interest rates, which are variable based on term, are calculated based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus a credit spread based on the Company’s senior unsecured credit ratings. If amounts had been drawn on the bank credit facilities as of September 30, 2017, annual interest rates would have ranged from 2.0% to 2.3%.
Debt Covenants
The Company’s bank credit facilities contain various covenants, including covenants requiring the Company to maintain a defined debt to debt-plus-shareholders’ equity ratio of not more than 55%. The Company was in compliance with its debt covenants as of September 30, 2017.
7.    Shareholders' Equity
Dividends
In June 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors increased the Company’s quarterly cash dividend to shareholders to an annual dividend rate of $3.00 per share from $2.50 per share, which the Company had paid since June 2016. Declaration and payment of future quarterly dividends is at the discretion of the Board and may be adjusted as business needs or market conditions change.
The following table provides details of the Company’s 2017 dividend payments:
Payment Date
 
Amount per Share
 
Total Amount Paid
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
March 10, 2017
 
$
0.625

 
$
596

June 27, 2017
 
0.750

 
724

September 19, 2017
 
0.750

 
726

8.    Commitments and Contingencies
Legal Matters
Because of the nature of its businesses, the Company is frequently made party to a variety of legal actions and regulatory inquiries, including demands, audits, class actions and suits brought by members, care providers, consumer advocacy organizations, customers, shareholders and regulators, relating to the Company’s businesses, including management and administration of health benefit plans and other services. These matters include medical malpractice, employment, intellectual property, antitrust, privacy and contract claims and claims related to health care benefits coverage and other business practices.
The Company records liabilities for its estimates of probable costs resulting from these matters where appropriate. Estimates of costs resulting from legal and regulatory matters involving the Company are inherently difficult to predict, particularly where the matters: involve indeterminate claims for monetary damages or may involve fines, penalties or punitive damages; present novel legal theories or represent a shift in regulatory policy; involve a large number of claimants or regulatory bodies; are in the early stages of the proceedings; or could result in a change in business practices. Accordingly, the Company is often unable to

14


estimate the losses or ranges of losses for those matters where there is a reasonable possibility or it is probable that a loss may be incurred.
Litigation Matters
California Claims Processing Matter. On January 25, 2008, the California Department of Insurance (CDI) issued an Order to Show Cause to PacifiCare Life and Health Insurance Company, a subsidiary of the Company, alleging violations of certain insurance statutes and regulations related to an alleged failure to include certain language in standard claims correspondence, timeliness and accuracy of claims processing, interest payments, care provider contract implementation, care provider dispute resolution and other related matters. Although the Company believes that CDI had never before issued a fine in excess of $8 million, CDI advocated a fine of approximately $325 million in this matter. The matter was the subject of an administrative hearing before a California administrative law judge beginning in December 2009, and in August 2013, the administrative law judge issued a nonbinding proposed decision recommending a fine of $11.5 million. The California Insurance Commissioner (Commissioner) rejected the administrative law judge’s recommendation and on June 9, 2014, issued his own decision imposing a fine of approximately $174 million. On July 10, 2014, the Company filed a lawsuit in California state court challenging the Commissioner’s decision. On September 8, 2015, in the first phase of that lawsuit, the California state court issued an order invalidating certain of the regulations the Commissioner had relied upon in issuing his decision and penalty. On September 21, 2017, the court entered a final ruling reversing all of the penalties imposed and remanding certain issues to the Commissioner. The Company cannot reasonably estimate the range of loss, if any, that may result from this matter given the procedural status of the dispute, the wide range of possible outcomes, the legal issues presented (including the legal basis for the majority of the alleged violations), the inherent difficulty in predicting a regulatory fine in the event of a remand, and the various remedies and levels of judicial review that remain available to the Company.
Government Investigations, Audits and Reviews
The Company has been involved or is currently involved in various governmental investigations, audits and reviews. These include routine, regular and special investigations, audits and reviews by the CMS, state insurance and health and welfare departments, the Brazilian national regulatory agency for private health insurance and plans (the Agência Nacional de Saúde Suplementar), state attorneys general, the Office of the Inspector General, the Office of Personnel Management, the Office of Civil Rights, the Government Accountability Office, the Federal Trade Commission, U.S. Congressional committees, the U.S. Department of Justice, the SEC, the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Brazilian federal revenue service (the Secretaria da Receita Federal), the U.S. Department of Labor, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Defense Contract Audit Agency and other governmental authorities. Certain of the Company’s businesses have been reviewed or are currently under review, including for, among other matters, compliance with coding and other requirements under the Medicare risk-adjustment model. CMS has selected certain of the Company’s local plans for risk adjustment data validation (RADV) audits to validate the coding practices of and supporting documentation maintained by health care providers and such audits may result in retrospective adjustments to payments made to the Company’s health plans.
On February 14, 2017, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced its decision to pursue certain claims within a lawsuit initially asserted against the Company and filed under seal by a whistleblower in 2011. The whistleblower’s complaint, which was unsealed on February 15, 2017, alleges that the Company, along with a number of other Medicare Advantage plans, made improper risk adjustment submissions and violated the False Claims Act. On March 24, 2017, DOJ intervened in a separate lawsuit initially asserted against the Company and filed by a whistleblower in 2009 concerning risk adjustment submissions by Medicare Advantage plans. On October 5, 2017, in one of the cases, the district court dismissed certain of DOJ’s claims with prejudice, and dismissed all of DOJ’s remaining claims with leave to file a further amended complaint; on October 12, the DOJ filed a notice of dismissal without prejudice of the case. The other case is now pending in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The Company cannot reasonably estimate the outcome that may result from these matters given their current posture.
9.    Segment Financial Information
The Company’s four reportable segments are UnitedHealthcare, OptumHealth, OptumInsight and OptumRx. For more information on the Company’s segments see Part I, Item I, “Business” and Note 13 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements” in the 2016 10-K.
As of September 30, 2017, OptumHealth’s total assets were $26.1 billion as compared to $18.7 billion as of December 31, 2016. The increase was due to acquisitions, which increased goodwill by $5.1 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

15


The following tables present reportable segment financial information:
 
 
 
 
Optum
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
UnitedHealthcare
 
OptumHealth
 
OptumInsight
 
OptumRx
 
Optum Eliminations
 
Optum
 
Corporate and
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues - unaffiliated customers:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
 
$
38,576

 
$
976

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
976

 
$

 
$
39,552

Products
 

 
10

 
29

 
6,626

 

 
6,665

 

 
6,665

Services
 
2,005

 
1,040

 
677

 
136

 

 
1,853

 

 
3,858

Total revenues - unaffiliated customers
 
40,581

 
2,026

 
706

 
6,762

 

 
9,494

 

 
50,075

Total revenues - affiliated customers
 

 
3,138

 
1,297

 
9,186

 
(324
)
 
13,297

 
(13,297
)
 

Investment and other income
 
153

 
88

 
1

 
5

 

 
94

 

 
247

Total revenues
 
$
40,734

 
$
5,252

 
$
2,004

 
$
15,953

 
$
(324
)
 
$
22,885

 
$
(13,297
)
 
$
50,322

Earnings from operations
 
$
2,391

 
$
513

 
$
414

 
$
770

 
$

 
$
1,697

 
$

 
$
4,088

Interest expense
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(294
)
 
(294
)
Earnings before income taxes
 
$
2,391

 
$
513

 
$
414

 
$
770

 
$

 
$
1,697

 
$
(294
)
 
$
3,794

Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues - unaffiliated customers:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
 
$
35,137

 
$
1,005

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,005

 
$

 
$
36,142

Products
 

 
12

 
30

 
6,654

 

 
6,696

 

 
6,696

Services
 
1,907

 
604

 
617

 
136

 

 
1,357

 

 
3,264

Total revenues - unaffiliated customers
 
37,044

 
1,621

 
647

 
6,790

 

 
9,058

 

 
46,102

Total revenues - affiliated customers
 

 
2,656

 
1,177

 
8,445

 
(275
)
 
12,003

 
(12,003
)
 

Investment and other income
 
133

 
55

 
1

 
2

 

 
58

 

 
191

Total revenues
 
$
37,177

 
$
4,332

 
$
1,825

 
$
15,237

 
$
(275
)
 
$
21,119

 
$
(12,003
)
 
$
46,293

Earnings from operations
 
$
2,113

 
$
404

 
$
371

 
$
692

 
$

 
$
1,467

 
$

 
$
3,580

Interest expense
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(269
)
 
(269
)
Earnings before income taxes
 
$
2,113

 
$
404

 
$
371

 
$
692

 
$

 
$
1,467

 
$
(269
)
 
$
3,311


16


 
 
 
 
Optum
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
UnitedHealthcare
 
OptumHealth
 
OptumInsight
 
OptumRx
 
Optum Eliminations
 
Optum
 
Corporate and
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues - unaffiliated customers:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
 
$
115,295

 
$
2,780

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
2,780

 
$

 
$
118,075

Products
 

 
33

 
69

 
19,107

 

 
19,209

 

 
19,209

Services
 
5,885

 
2,769

 
2,011

 
424

 

 
5,204

 

 
11,089

Total revenues - unaffiliated customers
 
121,180

 
5,582

 
2,080

 
19,531

 

 
27,193

 

 
148,373

Total revenues - affiliated customers
 

 
9,294

 
3,757

 
27,196

 
(894
)
 
39,353

 
(39,353
)
 

Investment and other income
 
478

 
231

 
3

 
13

 

 
247

 

 
725

Total revenues
 
$
121,658

 
$
15,107

 
$
5,840

 
$
46,740

 
$
(894
)
 
$
66,793

 
$
(39,353
)
 
$
149,098

Earnings from operations
 
$
6,736

 
$
1,267

 
$
1,080

 
$
2,149

 
$

 
$
4,496

 
$

 
$
11,232

Interest expense
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(878
)
 
(878
)
Earnings before income taxes
 
$
6,736

 
$
1,267

 
$
1,080

 
$
2,149

 
$

 
$
4,496

 
$
(878
)
 
$
10,354

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues - unaffiliated customers:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
 
$
104,641

 
$
2,725

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
2,725

 
$

 
$
107,366

Products
 
1

 
36

 
67

 
19,595

 

 
19,698

 

 
19,699

Services
 
5,569

 
1,813

 
1,862

 
429

 

 
4,104

 

 
9,673

Total revenues - unaffiliated customers
 
110,211

 
4,574

 
1,929

 
20,024

 

 
26,527

 

 
136,738

Total revenues - affiliated customers
 

 
7,682

 
3,324

 
24,554

 
(806
)
 
34,754

 
(34,754
)
 

Investment and other income
 
422

 
139

 
1

 
5

 

 
145

 

 
567

Total revenues
 
$
110,633

 
$
12,395

 
$
5,254

 
$
44,583

 
$
(806
)
 
$
61,426

 
$
(34,754
)
 
$
137,305

Earnings from operations
 
$
5,909

 
$
1,008

 
$
950

 
$
1,876

 
$

 
$
3,834

 
$

 
$
9,743

Interest expense
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(799
)
 
(799
)
Earnings before income taxes
 
$
5,909

 
$
1,008

 
$
950

 
$
1,876

 
$

 
$
3,834

 
$
(799
)
 
$
8,944

ITEM 2.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion should be read together with the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes and with our 2016 10-K, including the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements” in that report. Unless the context indicates otherwise, references to the terms “UnitedHealth Group,” “we,” “our” or “us” used throughout this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations refer to UnitedHealth Group Incorporated and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Readers are cautioned that the statements, estimates, projections or outlook contained in this Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, including discussions regarding financial prospects, economic conditions, trends and uncertainties contained in this Item 2, may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA). These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements. A description of some of the risks and uncertainties is set forth in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in our 2016 10-K and in the discussion below.
EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
General
UnitedHealth Group is a diversified health and well-being company dedicated to helping people live healthier lives and helping make the health system work better for everyone. Through our diversified family of businesses, we leverage core competencies in advanced, enabling technology; health care data; information and intelligence; and clinical care management and coordination to help meet the demands of the health system. These core competencies are deployed within our two distinct, but strategically aligned, business platforms: health benefits operating under UnitedHealthcare and health services operating under Optum.

17


Further information on our business is presented in Part I, Item 1, “Business” and Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our 2016 10-K and additional information on our segments can be found in this Item 2 and in Note 9 of Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report.
Business Trends
Our businesses participate in the United States, Brazilian and certain other international health markets. In the United States, health care spending has grown consistently for many years and comprises approximately 18% of gross domestic product. We expect overall spending on health care to continue to grow in the future due to inflation, medical technology and pharmaceutical advancement, regulatory requirements, demographic trends in the population and national interest in health and well-being. The rate of market growth may be affected by a variety of factors, including macro-economic conditions and regulatory changes, which have impacted and could further impact our results of operations.
Pricing Trends. To price our health care benefit products, we start with our view of expected future costs. We frequently evaluate and adjust our approach in each of the local markets we serve, considering all relevant factors, such as product positioning, price competitiveness and environmental, competitive, legislative and regulatory considerations.
The commercial risk market remains highly competitive in both the small group and large group segments. We expect broad-based competition to continue as the industry adapts to individual and employer needs amid reform changes. A provision in the 2016 Federal Budget imposed a one year moratorium for 2017 on the collection of the Health Insurance Industry Tax. Pricing for contracts that cover some portion of calendar year 2018 will reflect the impact of the returning Health Insurance Industry Tax.
Medicare Advantage funding continues to be pressured, as discussed below in “Regulatory Trends and Uncertainties.”
Medical Cost Trends. Our medical cost trends primarily relate to changes in unit costs, health system utilization and prescription drug costs. We endeavor to mitigate those increases with medical management. Our 2017 management activities include managing costs across all health care categories, including specialty pharmacy spending, as new therapies are introduced at high costs and older drugs experience price increases.
Regulatory Trends and Uncertainties
Following is a summary of management’s view of the trends and uncertainties related to Medicare Advantage rates. For additional information regarding the ACA and other regulatory trends and uncertainties, see Part I, Item 1 “Business - Government Regulation,” Item 1A, “Risk Factors” and Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our 2016 10-K.
Medicare Advantage Rates. Final 2018 Medicare Advantage rates resulted in an increase in industry base rates of approximately 0.45%, well short of the industry forward medical cost trend of 3%, which creates continued pressure in the Medicare Advantage program. The impact of this funding shortfall in Medicare Advantage is partially mitigated by reductions in provider payments for those care providers with rates indexed to Medicare Advantage revenues or Medicare fee-for-service payment rates. These factors can affect our plan benefit designs, pricing, growth prospects and earnings expectations for our Medicare Advantage plans.
As provided in the ACA, our Medicare Advantage rates are currently enhanced by CMS quality bonuses in certain counties based on our local plans’ Star ratings. The level of Star ratings from CMS, based upon specified clinical and operational performance standards, will impact future quality bonuses. In addition, Star ratings affect the amount of savings a plan can use to offer supplemental benefits, which ultimately may affect the plan’s membership and revenue. For the 2017 payment year, approximately 80% of our Medicare Advantage members are in plans rated four stars or higher. We expect at least 85% of our Medicare Advantage members will be in plans rated four stars or higher for payment year 2018. We continue to dedicate substantial resources to advance our quality scores and Star ratings to strengthen our local market programs and further improve our performance.

18


SELECTED OPERATING PERFORMANCE AND OTHER SIGNIFICANT ITEMS
The following summarizes select third quarter 2017 year-over-year operating comparisons to third quarter 2016 and other 2017 significant items.
Consolidated revenues grew 9%, UnitedHealthcare revenues grew 10% and Optum revenues grew 8%.
UnitedHealthcare grew to serve an additional 1.0 million people.
Earnings from operations increased 14%, including increases of 13% at UnitedHealthcare and 16% at Optum.
The effective income tax rate decreased 780 basis points to 32.5%.
Diluted earnings per common share increased 24%.
Cash flows from operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 were $16.2 billion, aided by the September receipt of our October CMS premium payment of $4.6 billion.
RESULTS SUMMARY
The following table summarizes our consolidated results of operations and other financial information:
(in millions, except percentages and per share data)
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017 vs. 2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017 vs. 2016
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums
 
$
39,552

 
$
36,142

 
$
3,410

 
9
%
 
$
118,075

 
$
107,366

 
$
10,709

 
10
%
Products
 
6,665

 
6,696

 
(31
)
 

 
19,209

 
19,699

 
(490
)
 
(2
)
Services
 
3,858

 
3,264

 
594

 
18

 
11,089

 
9,673

 
1,416

 
15

Investment and other income
 
247

 
191

 
56

 
29

 
725

 
567

 
158

 
28

Total revenues
 
50,322

 
46,293

 
4,029

 
9

 
149,098

 
137,305

 
11,793

 
9

Operating costs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Medical costs
 
32,201

 
29,040

 
3,161

 
11

 
96,829

 
87,342

 
9,487

 
11

Operating costs
 
7,387

 
7,033

 
354

 
5

 
21,737

 
20,584

 
1,153

 
6

Cost of products sold
 
6,068

 
6,125

 
(57
)
 
(1
)
 
17,633

 
18,108

 
(475
)
 
(3
)
Depreciation and amortization
 
578

 
515

 
63

 
12

 
1,667

 
1,528

 
139

 
9

Total operating costs
 
46,234

 
42,713

 
3,521

 
8

 
137,866

 
127,562

 
10,304

 
8

Earnings from operations
 
4,088

 
3,580

 
508

 
14

 
11,232

 
9,743

 
1,489

 
15

Interest expense
 
(294
)
 
(269
)
 
(25
)
 
9

 
(878
)
 
(799
)
 
(79
)
 
10

Earnings before income taxes
 
3,794

 
3,311

 
483

 
15

 
10,354

 
8,944

 
1,410

 
16

Provision for income taxes
 
(1,233
)
 
(1,333
)
 
100

 
(8
)
 
(3,252
)
 
(3,579
)
 
327

 
(9
)
Net earnings
 
2,561

 
1,978

 
583

 
29

 
7,102

 
5,365

 
1,737

 
32

Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(76
)
 
(10
)
 
(66
)
 
nm

 
(161
)
 
(32
)
 
(129
)
 
nm

Net earnings attributable to UnitedHealth Group common shareholders
 
$
2,485

 
$
1,968

 
$
517

 
26
 %
 
$
6,941

 
$
5,333

 
$
1,608

 
30
 %
Diluted earnings per share attributable to UnitedHealth Group common shareholders
 
$
2.51

 
$
2.03

 
$
0.48

 
24
 %
 
$
7.06

 
$
5.51

 
$
1.55

 
28
 %
Medical care ratio (a)
 
81.4
%
 
80.3
%
 
1.1
 %
 
 
 
82.0
%
 
81.3
%
 
0.7
 %
 
 
Operating cost ratio
 
14.7

 
15.2

 
(0.5
)
 
 
 
14.6

 
15.0

 
(0.4
)
 
 
Operating margin
 
8.1

 
7.7

 
0.4

 
 
 
7.5

 
7.1

 
0.4

 
 
Tax rate
 
32.5

 
40.3

 
(7.8
)
 
 
 
31.4

 
40.0

 
(8.6
)
 
 
Net earnings margin (b)
 
4.9

 
4.3

 
0.6

 
 
 
4.7

 
3.9

 
0.8

 
 
Return on equity (c)
 
22.5
%
 
21.3
%
 
1.2
 %
 
 
 
22.0
%
 
19.9
%
 
2.1
 %
 
 
                   
nm = not meaningful
(a)
Medical care ratio is calculated as medical costs divided by premium revenue.
(b)
Net earnings margin attributable to UnitedHealth Group shareholders.
(c)
Return on equity is calculated as annualized net earnings divided by average equity. Average equity is calculated using the equity balance at the end of the preceding year and the equity balances at the end of each of the quarters in the year presented.

19


2017 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS COMPARED TO 2016 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Consolidated Financial Results
Revenues
The increases in revenues were primarily driven by organic growth in the number of individuals served across our benefits businesses and growth across all of Optum’s businesses. These increases were partially offset by revenue decreases due to withdrawals of ACA-compliant products in the individual market and the effects of the Health Insurance Industry Tax moratorium.
Medical Costs and Medical Care Ratio (MCR)
Medical costs increased due to risk-based membership growth and medical cost trends. The MCR increases were due to the effects of the Health Insurance Industry Tax moratorium offset primarily by the reduction of individual ACA business and an increase in favorable medical cost reserve development.
Income Tax Rate
Our effective tax rates decreased primarily due to the Health Insurance Industry Tax moratorium and higher tax benefits resulting from an increase in share-based payment activity.
Reportable Segments
See Note 9 of Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for more information on our segments. The following table presents a summary of the reportable segment financial information:
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Increase/(Decrease)
(in millions, except percentages)
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017 vs. 2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017 vs. 2016
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
UnitedHealthcare
 
$
40,734

 
$
37,177

 
$
3,557

 
10
%
 
$
121,658

 
$
110,633

 
$
11,025

 
10
%
OptumHealth
 
5,252

 
4,332

 
920

 
21

 
15,107

 
12,395

 
2,712

 
22

OptumInsight
 
2,004

 
1,825

 
179

 
10

 
5,840

 
5,254

 
586

 
11

OptumRx
 
15,953

 
15,237

 
716

 
5

 
46,740

 
44,583

 
2,157

 
5

Optum eliminations
 
(324
)
 
(275
)
 
(49
)
 
18

 
(894
)
 
(806
)
 
(88
)
 
11

Optum
 
22,885

 
21,119

 
1,766

 
8

 
66,793

 
61,426

 
5,367

 
9

Eliminations
 
(13,297
)
 
(12,003
)
 
(1,294
)
 
11

 
(39,353
)
 
(34,754
)
 
(4,599
)
 
13

Consolidated revenues
 
$
50,322

 
$
46,293

 
$
4,029

 
9
%
 
$
149,098

 
$
137,305

 
$
11,793

 
9
%
Earnings from operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
UnitedHealthcare
 
$
2,391

 
$
2,113

 
$
278

 
13
%
 
$
6,736

 
$
5,909

 
$
827

 
14
%
OptumHealth
 
513

 
404

 
109

 
27

 
1,267

 
1,008

 
259

 
26

OptumInsight
 
414

 
371

 
43

 
12

 
1,080

 
950

 
130

 
14

OptumRx
 
770

 
692

 
78

 
11

 
2,149

 
1,876

 
273

 
15

Optum
 
1,697

 
1,467

 
230

 
16

 
4,496

 
3,834

 
662

 
17

Consolidated earnings from operations
 
$
4,088

 
$
3,580

 
$
508

 
14
%
 
$
11,232

 
$
9,743

 
$
1,489

 
15
%
Operating margin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
UnitedHealthcare
 
5.9
%
 
5.7
%
 
0.2
%
 
 
 
5.5
%
 
5.3
%
 
0.2
%
 
 
OptumHealth
 
9.8

 
9.3

 
0.5

 
 
 
8.4

 
8.1

 
0.3

 
 
OptumInsight
 
20.7

 
20.3

 
0.4

 
 
 
18.5

 
18.1

 
0.4

 
 
OptumRx
 
4.8

 
4.5

 
0.3

 
 
 
4.6

 
4.2

 
0.4

 
 
Optum
 
7.4

 
6.9

 
0.5

 
 
 
6.7

 
6.2

 
0.5

 
 
Consolidated operating margin
 
8.1
%
 
7.7
%
 
0.4
%
 
 
 
7.5
%
 
7.1
%
 
0.4
%
 
 

20


UnitedHealthcare
The following table summarizes UnitedHealthcare revenues by business:
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Increase/(Decrease)
(in millions, except percentages)
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017 vs. 2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017 vs. 2016
UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual
 
$
13,054

 
$
13,251

 
$
(197
)
 
(1
)%
 
$
38,759

 
$
39,580

 
$
(821
)
 
(2
)%
UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement
 
16,306

 
13,927

 
2,379

 
17

 
49,605

 
42,286

 
7,319

 
17

UnitedHealthcare Community & State
 
9,378

 
8,312

 
1,066

 
13

 
27,505

 
24,303

 
3,202

 
13

UnitedHealthcare Global
 
1,996

 
1,687

 
309

 
18

 
5,789

 
4,464

 
1,325

 
30

Total UnitedHealthcare revenues
 
$
40,734

 
$
37,177

 
$
3,557

 
10
 %
 
$
121,658

 
$
110,633

 
$
11,025

 
10
 %
The following table summarizes the number of individuals served by our UnitedHealthcare businesses, by major market segment and funding arrangement:
 
 
September 30,
 
Increase/(Decrease)
(in thousands, except percentages)
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017 vs. 2016
Commercial group:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk-based
 
7,805

 
7,265

 
540

 
7
 %
Fee-based
 
18,610

 
18,880

 
(270
)
 
(1
)
Total commercial group
 
26,415

 
26,145

 
270

 
1

Individual
 
515

 
1,485

 
(970
)
 
(65
)
Fee-based TRICARE
 
2,855

 
2,855

 

 

Total commercial
 
29,785

 
30,485

 
(700
)
 
(2
)
Medicare Advantage
 
4,390

 
3,600

 
790

 
22

Medicaid
 
6,375

 
5,790

 
585

 
10

Medicare Supplement (Standardized)
 
4,415

 
4,245

 
170

 
4

Total public and senior
 
15,180

 
13,635

 
1,545

 
11

Total UnitedHealthcare - domestic medical
 
44,965

 
44,120

 
845

 
2

International
 
4,080

 
3,970

 
110

 
3

Total UnitedHealthcare - medical
 
49,045

 
48,090

 
955

 
2
 %
Supplemental Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Medicare Part D stand-alone
 
4,945

 
4,945

 

 
 %
Broad-based growth across group sizes and regions, led by gains in services to small groups, resulted in the overall increase in people served through risk-based benefit plans in the commercial group market. Fee-based commercial group business declined due to the non-renewal of one public sector customer. Membership in individual business decreased due to our reduced participation in ACA-compliant products in 2017. Medicare Advantage increased year-over-year due to growth in people served through individual and employer-sponsored group Medicare Advantage plans. Medicaid growth was driven by the combination of new state-based awards and growth in established programs. Medicare Supplement growth reflected strong customer retention and new sales. 
UnitedHealthcare’s revenue increases were due to growth in the number of individuals served across its businesses and price increases for underlying medical cost trends, which were partially offset by the reduction of people served in ACA-compliant individual products and the impact of the Health Insurance Industry Tax moratorium.
The increase in UnitedHealthcare’s operating earnings was led by diversified growth and increased operating margin. The 2016 results included losses in ACA-compliant individual products.
Optum
Total revenues and operating earnings increased as each segment reported increased revenues and earnings from operations as a result of the factors discussed below.

21


The results by segment were as follows:
OptumHealth
Revenue and earnings from operations increased at OptumHealth primarily due to organic and acquisition-related growth in care delivery.
OptumInsight
Revenue and earnings from operations at OptumInsight increased primarily due to growth in revenue management services and business process services.
OptumRx
Revenue and earnings from operations at OptumRx increased primarily due to client and consumer growth. OptumRx fulfilled 321 million adjusted scripts in the third quarter of 2017 compared to 309 million in 2016.
LIQUIDITY, FINANCIAL CONDITION AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Liquidity
Summary of our Major Sources and Uses of Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Increase/(Decrease)
(in millions)
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017 vs. 2016
Sources of cash:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash provided by operating activities
 
$
16,173

 
$
11,204

 
$
4,969

Issuances of commercial paper and long-term debt, net of repayments
 

 
1,077

 
(1,077
)
Proceeds from common stock issuances
 
604

 
387

 
217

Customer funds administered
 
3,659

 
1,249

 
2,410

Total sources of cash
 
20,436

 
13,917

 
 
Uses of cash:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock repurchases
 
(1,173
)
 
(1,117
)
 
(56
)
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash assumed
 
(908
)
 
(2,727
)
 
1,819

Purchases of investments, net of sales and maturities
 
(3,566
)
 
(4,769
)
 
1,203

Repayments of commercial paper and long-term debt, net of issuances
 
(4,877
)
 

 
(4,877
)
Purchases of property, equipment and capitalized software
 
(1,391
)
 
(1,220
)
 
(171
)
Cash dividends paid
 
(2,046
)
 
(1,666
)
 
(380
)
Other
 
(654
)
 
(615
)
 
(39
)
Total uses of cash
 
(14,615
)
 
(12,114
)
 
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
 
18

 
70

 
(52
)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
 
$
5,839

 
$
1,873

 
$
3,966

2017 Cash Flows Compared to 2016 Cash Flows
Increased cash flows provided by operating activities were primarily driven by the September 2017 receipt of our October CMS premium payment of $4.6 billion, higher net earnings and the year-over-year impact of the one-year moratorium on the Health Insurance Industry Tax.
Other significant changes in sources or uses of cash year-over-year included 2017 net repayments of debt compared to 2016 net proceeds from debt issuances, which were partially offset by increased customer funds administered primarily due to the September receipt of our October CMS payment and a decrease in cash paid for acquisitions and net purchases of investments.
Financial Condition
As of September 30, 2017, our cash, cash equivalent and available-for-sale investment balances of $46.1 billion included $16.3 billion of cash and cash equivalents (of which $1.0 billion was available for general corporate use), $27.9 billion of debt securities and $1.9 billion of investments in equity securities. Given the significant portion of our portfolio held in cash equivalents, we do not anticipate fluctuations in the aggregate fair value of our financial assets to have a material impact on our

22


liquidity or capital position. Our available-for-sale debt portfolio had a weighted-average duration of 3.3 years and a weighted-average credit rating of “Double A” as of September 30, 2017. When multiple credit ratings are available for an individual security, the average of the available ratings is used to determine the weighted-average credit rating.
Capital Resources and Uses of Liquidity
In addition to cash flows from operations and cash and cash equivalent balances available for general corporate use, our capital resources and uses of liquidity are as follows:
Commercial Paper and Bank Credit Facilities. Our revolving bank credit facilities provide liquidity support for our commercial paper borrowing program, which facilitates the private placement of unsecured debt through third-party broker-dealers, and are available for general corporate purposes. For more information on our commercial paper and bank credit facilities, see Note 6 of Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report.
Our revolving bank credit facilities contain various covenants, including covenants requiring us to maintain a defined debt to debt-plus-shareholders’ equity ratio of not more than 55%. As of September 30, 2017, our debt to debt-plus-shareholders’ equity ratio, as defined and calculated under the credit facilities, was approximately 37%.
Long-Term Debt. Periodically, we access capital markets and issue long-term debt for general corporate purposes, for example, to meet our working capital requirements, to refinance debt, to finance acquisitions or for share repurchases. In October 2017, we issued $4.0 billion in senior unsecured notes. We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to repay commercial paper borrowings, which were incurred for general corporate and working capital purposes, and for other general corporate purposes, which may include redeeming or repurchasing outstanding securities or refinancing debt. For more information on our long-term debt, see Note 6 of Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report.
Credit Ratings. Our credit ratings as of September 30, 2017 were as follows:
  
Moody’s
 
Standard & Poor’s
 
Fitch
 
A.M. Best
 
Ratings
 
Outlook
 
Ratings
 
Outlook
 
Ratings
 
Outlook
 
Ratings
 
Outlook
Senior unsecured debt
A3
 
Stable
 
A+
 
Negative
 
A-
 
Negative (a)
 
bbb+
 
Stable
Commercial paper
P-2
 
n/a
 
A-1
 
n/a
 
F1
 
n/a
 
AMB-2
 
n/a
                   
(a)
In October 2017, Fitch affirmed our ratings and changed our outlook to Stable.
The availability of financing in the form of debt or equity is influenced by many factors, including our profitability, operating cash flows, debt levels, credit ratings, debt covenants and other contractual restrictions, regulatory requirements and economic and market conditions. For example, a significant downgrade in our credit ratings or adverse conditions in the capital markets may increase the cost of borrowing for us or limit our access to capital.
Share Repurchase Program. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we repurchased 7 million shares at an average price of $165.36 per share. As of September 30, 2017, we had Board authorization to purchase up to an additional 44 million shares of our common stock.
Dividends. In June 2017, our Board increased our quarterly cash dividend to shareholders to an annual dividend rate of $3.00 per share. For more information on our dividend, see Note 7 of Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report.
For additional liquidity discussion, see Note 10 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 in our 2016 10-K.

23


CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMITMENTS
A summary of future obligations under our various contractual obligations and commitments as of December 31, 2016 was disclosed in our 2016 10-K. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, there were no material changes to this previously disclosed information outside the ordinary course of business. However, we continually evaluate opportunities to expand our operations, including through internal development of new products, programs and technology applications and acquisitions.
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
See Note 1 of Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this report for a discussion of new accounting pronouncements that affect us.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
In preparing our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, we are required to make judgments, assumptions and estimates, which we believe are reasonable and prudent based on the available facts and circumstances. These judgments, assumptions and estimates affect certain of our revenues and expenses and their related balance sheet accounts and disclosure of our contingent liabilities. We base our assumptions and estimates primarily on historical experience and consider known and projected trends. On an ongoing basis, we re-evaluate our selection of assumptions and the method of calculating our estimates. Actual results, however, may materially differ from our calculated estimates and this difference would be reported in our current operations.
Our critical accounting estimates include medical costs payable, revenues, goodwill and other intangible assets and valuations of certain investments. For a detailed description of our critical accounting estimates, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 in our 2016 10-K. For a detailed discussion of our significant accounting policies, see Note 2 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements” in our 2016 10-K.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The statements, estimates, projections, guidance or outlook contained in this document include “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the PSLRA. These statements are intended to take advantage of the “safe harbor” provisions of the PSLRA. Generally the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “plan,” “project,” “should” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which generally are not historical in nature. These statements may contain information about financial prospects, economic conditions and trends and involve risks and uncertainties. We caution that actual results could differ materially from those that management expects, depending on the outcome of certain factors.
Some factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from results discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements include: our ability to effectively estimate, price for and manage our medical costs, including the impact of any new coverage requirements; new laws or regulations, or changes in existing laws or regulations, or their enforcement or application, including increases in medical, administrative, technology or other costs or decreases in enrollment resulting from U.S., Brazilian and other jurisdictions’ regulations affecting the health care industry; our ability to maintain and achieve improvement in CMS star ratings and other quality scores that impact revenue; reductions in revenue or delays to cash flows received under Medicare, Medicaid and other government programs, including the effects of a prolonged U.S. government shutdown or debt ceiling constraints; changes in Medicare, including changes in payment methodology, the CMS star ratings program or the application of risk adjustment data validation audits; cyber-attacks or other privacy or data security incidents; failure to comply with privacy and data security regulations; regulatory and other risks and uncertainties of the pharmacy benefits management industry; competitive pressures, which could affect our ability to maintain or increase our market share; changes in or challenges to our public sector contract awards; our ability to execute contracts on competitive terms with physicians, hospitals and other service providers; failure to achieve targeted operating cost productivity improvements, including savings resulting from technology enhancement and administrative modernization; increases in costs and other liabilities associated with increased litigation, government investigations, audits or reviews; failure to manage successfully our strategic alliances or complete or receive anticipated benefits of acquisitions and other strategic transactions, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates on our reported shareholders’ equity and results of operations; downgrades in our credit ratings; the performance of our investment portfolio; impairment of the value of our goodwill and intangible assets if estimated future results do not adequately support goodwill and intangible assets recorded for our existing businesses or the businesses that we acquire; failure to maintain effective and efficient information systems or if our technology products do not operate as intended; and our ability to obtain sufficient funds from our regulated subsidiaries or the debt or capital markets to fund our

24


obligations, to maintain our debt to total capital ratio at targeted levels, to maintain our quarterly dividend payment cycle or to continue repurchasing shares of our common stock.
This list of important factors is not intended to be exhaustive. We discuss certain of these matters more fully, as well as certain risk factors that may affect our business operations, financial condition and results of operations, in our other periodic and current filings with the SEC, including our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. Any or all forward-looking statements we make may turn out to be wrong, and can be affected by inaccurate assumptions we might make or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. 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 future 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 applicable securities laws.
ITEM 3.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We manage exposure to market interest rates by diversifying investments across different fixed income market sectors and debt across maturities, as well as by endeavoring to match our floating-rate assets and liabilities over time, either directly or through the use of interest rate swap contracts. Unrealized gains and losses on investments in available-for-sale securities are reported in comprehensive income.
The following table summarizes the impact of hypothetical changes in market interest rates across the entire yield curve by 1% point or 2% points as of September 30, 2017 on our investment income and interest expense per annum, and the fair value of our investments and debt (in millions, except percentages):
 
 
September 30, 2017
Increase (Decrease) in Market Interest Rate
 
Investment
Income Per
Annum (a)
 
Interest
Expense Per
Annum (a)
 
Fair Value of
Financial Assets (b)
 
Fair Value of
Financial Liabilities
2 %
 
$
383

 
$
174

 
$
(1,953
)
 
$
(4,005
)
1
 
192

 
87

 
(990
)
 
(2,169
)
(1)
 
(192
)
 
(87
)
 
950

 
2,580

(2)
 
(211
)
 
(107
)
 
1,618

 
5,619

                 
(a)
Given the low absolute level of short-term market rates on our floating-rate assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2017, the assumed hypothetical change in interest rates does not reflect the full 200 basis point reduction in interest expense as the rate cannot fall below zero.
(b)
As of September 30, 2017, some of our investments had interest rates below 2% so the assumed hypothetical change in the fair value of investments does not reflect the full 200 basis point reduction.
ITEM 4.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
EVALUATION OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act) that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms; and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
In connection with the filing of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, management evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2017. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level as of September 30, 2017.
CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
A description of our legal proceedings is included in and incorporated by reference to Note 8 of Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Part I, Item 1 of this report.
ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS
In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of our 2016 10-K, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in our 2016 10-K are not the only risks facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or future results.
There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in our 2016 10-K.
ITEM 2.
UNREGISTERED SALE OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
In November 1997, our Board of Directors adopted a share repurchase program, which the Board evaluates periodically. There is no established expiration date for the program. During the third quarter 2017, we repurchased approximately 0.7 million shares at an average price of $194.67 per share. As of September 30, 2017, we had Board authorization to purchase up to 44 million shares of our common stock.
In August 2017, we issued 1.5 million shares of our common stock in consideration of the acquisition of all of the outstanding shares of a private company. The sale of these securities was exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. 

26


ITEM 6.
EXHIBITS**

The following exhibits are filed or incorporated by reference herein in response to Item 601 of Regulation S-K. The Company files Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 under Commission File No. 1-10864.

 

 
4.1

 
Senior Indenture, dated as of November 15, 1998, between United HealthCare Corporation and The Bank of New York (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3/A, SEC File Number 333-66013, filed on January 11, 1999)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
101

 
The following materials from UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2017 filed on November 7, 2017, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity, (v) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 ________________
*
 
Denotes management contracts and compensation plans in which certain directors and named executive officers participate and which are being filed pursuant to Item 601(b)(10)(iii)(A) of Regulation S-K.
**
 
Pursuant to Item 601(b)(4)(iii) of Regulation S-K, copies of instruments defining the rights of certain holders of long-term debt are not filed. The Company will furnish copies thereof to the SEC upon request.


27


SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
UNITEDHEALTH GROUP INCORPORATED
 
/s/ DAVID S. WICHMANN
 
Chief Executive Officer
(principal executive officer)
Dated:
November 7, 2017
David S. Wichmann
 
  
 
 
 
 
/s/ JOHN F. REX
 
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial officer)
Dated:
November 7, 2017
John F. Rex
 
  
 
 
 
 
/S/ THOMAS E. ROOS
 
Senior Vice President and
Chief Accounting Officer
(principal accounting officer)
Dated:
November 7, 2017
Thomas E. Roos
 
  
 


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