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Optum

All articles tagged with #optum

markets1 month ago•14 min saved

Bernstein names UnitedHealth as 2026's top healthcare pick

Bernstein analyst Lance Wilkes designates UnitedHealth Group (UNH) as his top healthcare stock for 2026, keeping an Outperform rating with a $444 target as margins in Medicare Advantage/Medicaid are expected to recover. He expects earnings growth to resume as UNH exits unprofitable businesses and weighs the potential separation of UnitedHealthcare and Optum, with Optum viewed as a long‑term growth driver. Bernstein sees roughly 33% upside from current levels, while the broader market consensus remains bullish with a target near $398 (~19% upside).

via TipRanks|

#bernstein #markets #medicare-advantage

business7 months ago•10 min saved

UnitedHealth Stock Declines Amid Earnings Miss and Rising Costs

Despite strong earnings, UnitedHealth's stock is falling due to market concerns over structural issues, regulatory probes, and trust erosion in its business model, particularly around its vertical integration and Optum's operations, signaling a potential shift in investor confidence and valuation.

via Forbes|

#business #healthcare #optum

technology1 year ago•4 min saved

UnitedHealth's Optum AI Chatbot Exposed Online

Optum, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth, restricted access to an internal AI chatbot after it was found publicly accessible online without password protection. The chatbot, used by employees to handle health insurance claims, did not contain sensitive information but its exposure raises concerns amid scrutiny over UnitedHealth's use of AI to allegedly deny patient claims. The chatbot was a demo tool and not in production, according to Optum, and was taken offline after the exposure was reported.

via TechCrunch|

#ai-chatbot #data-security #healthcare

healthcare1 year ago•2 min saved

"Senators Warren and Markey Challenge Steward Health Care's Sale to Optum"

Steward Health Care's physician group has been purchased by OptumCare, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, prompting state health care officials to review the proposed sale's potential impacts on health care costs, quality, access, and equity. The Health Policy Commission will assess the transaction and may initiate a full Cost and Market Impact Review if significant impacts are anticipated. Sen. Ed Markey expressed concerns about Steward's financial instability and urged Optum to prioritize controlling costs and preserving health care access in Massachusetts. Steward also indicated that it anticipates providing notices of material change regarding transactions involving its acute care hospitals and other provider operations in the next 12 months.

via NBC Boston|

#acquisition #healthcare #healthcare-costs

healthcare-business1 year ago•5 min saved

Steward Health Care's Physician Group Sold to Optum Amid Regulatory Scrutiny

Steward Health Care plans to sell its doctor network to UnitedHealth's subsidiary, Collaborative Care Holdings, prompting concerns from Massachusetts officials and community leaders about the impact on the state's healthcare system. The proposed deal, which includes Steward's primary care doctors and clinicians in nine states, is subject to review by state regulators and potential antitrust scrutiny. Critics worry about the potential negative effects on Steward hospitals and the growing market power of UnitedHealth's Optum, which has been aggressively expanding its presence in Massachusetts through acquisitions.

via The Boston Globe|

#healthcare-business #healthcare-industry #massachusetts

cybersecurity2 years ago•3 min saved

"BlackCat Ransomware Cyberattack Causes UnitedHealth Pharmacy Outages"

A cyberattack on UnitedHealth Group's subsidiary Optum, impacting the Change Healthcare payment exchange platform, has been linked to the BlackCat ransomware group. The ongoing outage has led to widespread billing outages across the U.S. healthcare system, with Optum providing daily incident updates and assuring that its own systems have not been affected. While UnitedHealth Group suspects "nation-state" hackers, sources claim the attack is linked to BlackCat, known for over 60 breaches and $300 million in ransom payments. The U.S. State Department is offering rewards for information on the ALPHV gang leaders and individuals linked to BlackCat ransomware attacks.

via BleepingComputer|

#blackcat-ransomware #change-healthcare #cyberattack

cybersecurity-healthcare2 years ago•1 min saved

"Rx Delays and Fallout: Cyberattacks Disrupt US Healthcare Sector"

Change Healthcare expects the cybersecurity incident to disrupt its operations for at least a day, suspecting a nation-state behind the attack, leading to manual processing of prescriptions at some hospitals and retail pharmacies. The American Hospital Association advises health systems to disconnect from Change Healthcare and Optum, with cybersecurity experts concerned about the broad impact due to the company's responsibility for massive amounts of patient data. The incident, believed to be a result of hackers exploiting vulnerabilities in a remote IT platform, is seen as an attack on the entire healthcare sector, with potential negative credit implications for Optum's parent company, UnitedHealth Group.

via Becker's Hospital Review|

#change-healthcare #cybersecurity #cybersecurity-healthcare

cybersecurity-healthcare2 years ago•4 min saved

"US Healthcare System Hit by Cyberattacks, Disrupting Pharmacy Orders and Billing"

UnitedHealth Group's subsidiary Optum was hit by a cyberattack, causing a disruption to its Change Healthcare platform, impacting 119 services and platforms. The attack, attributed to "nation-state" hackers, has led to widespread problems for healthcare organizations, pharmacies, and military pharmacies, with the American Hospital Association advising disconnection from Optum. The incident, suspected to be a ransomware attack, has prompted concerns about data theft, and investigations are ongoing.

via BleepingComputer|

#change-healthcare #cyberattack #cybersecurity-healthcare

healthcare2 years ago•0 min saved

UnitedHealth and Optum rebrand NaviHealth

UnitedHealth Group and Optum are discontinuing the name of their tech-driven care management company, NaviHealth, following congressional criticism over the use of algorithms to deny payments for patients' care. The move is part of a broader rebranding effort by Optum's division, which provides services to people at home and in post-acute facilities. UnitedHealth aims to control every aspect of patient care outside of hospitals while distancing itself from controversial practices. Optum's post-acute-care companies will be renamed Home & Community Care starting in Q1 2024.

via STAT|

#algorithmic-care-denials #healthcare #navihealth

business2 years ago•1 min saved

UnitedHealth's Optum makes $3 billion unsolicited buyout offer for Amedisys

Home health and hospice company Amedisys has received a competing all-cash buyout offer from Optum, a diversified health services company, while still under a pending merger agreement with Option Care Health. The unsolicited offer from Optum would be worth $100 per share in cash, compared to the $97.38 per share in all-stock deal with Option Care Health. Amedisys' share price spiked 15.5% premarket following the news.

via Greater Baton Rouge Business Report|

#amedisys #business #healthcare

business2 years ago•2 min saved

UnitedHealth Group surpasses 1Q expectations with Optum's help.

UnitedHealth beat first-quarter forecasts and raised its 2023 guidance, driven in part by growth from its Optum care segment, which saw a 25% increase in revenue and a 19% increase in operating earnings. The company's emphasis on value-based care, which bases doctor pay on patient outcomes rather than services delivered, contributed to a 34% increase in revenue per customer. UnitedHealth's insurance business, which covers over 50 million people, also saw growth in commercial, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid coverage. The company's profit climbed over 11% to $5.61 billion, and it now expects adjusted earnings for the year to range between $24.50 and $25 per share.

via ABC News|

#business #earnings #medicare-advantage