UnitedHealth Group is an American multinational for-profit managed healthcare and insurance company based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Founded as Charter Med Incorporated in 1974 by Richard Taylor Burke, it was restructured as United Healthcare Corporation in 1977. The company was renamed UnitedHealth Group in 1998. UnitedHealth Group operates through two main divisions: UnitedHealthcare, which provides health insurance, and Optum, which focuses on healthcare services. UnitedHealthcare offers a variety of health benefit plans, while Optum provides pharmacy care services, data and analytics, and healthcare operations. Stephen J. Hemsley is currently the CEO.
As the largest healthcare company in the world by revenue, UnitedHealth Group is ranked seventh on the 2025 Fortune Global 500. It is also the largest health insurer in the United States, insuring over 50 million people. The company's market capitalization was over $300 billion as of year-end 2025. Recent news includes the appointment of Tim Noel as the new CEO of UnitedHealthcare. The company reported full year and fourth quarter 2025 results and issued its 2026 outlook. UnitedHealth Group helps people live healthier lives and aims to improve the health system for everyone.