UnitedHealth - 10-Q quarterly report FY2011 Q3

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, 2011



o	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

__________________________________________________________

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

__________________________________________________________



Minnesota		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 o

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 o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):



Large accelerated filer	x	Accelerated filer	o	Non-accelerated filer	o	Smaller reporting company	o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x

As of October 31, 2011, there were 1,066,026,494 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, $.01 par value per share, issued and outstanding.

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

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		Page
Part I. Financial Information
Item 1.	Financial Statements	1
	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010	1
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010	2
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010	3
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010	4
	Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	5
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	24
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	35
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	36

Part II. Other Information
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	37
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	37
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	37
Item 6.	Exhibits	38
Signatures		39

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION


ITEM 1.	FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

UnitedHealth Group

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)



(in millions, except per share data)	September 30, 2011			December 31, 2010
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	13,679		$	9,123
Short-term investments	2,698			2,072
Accounts receivable, net	2,234			2,061
Assets under management	2,597			2,550
Deferred income taxes	492			403
Other current receivables, net	2,142			1,643
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	666			541
Total current assets	24,508			18,393
Long-term investments	15,398			14,707
Property, equipment and capitalized software, net	2,388			2,200
Goodwill	23,723			22,745
Other intangible assets, net	2,855			2,910
Other assets	2,038			2,108
Total assets	$	70,910		$	63,063
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
Current liabilities:
Medical costs payable	$	9,448		$	9,220
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	6,643			6,488
Other policy liabilities	6,532			3,979
Commercial paper and current maturities of long-term debt	2,364			2,480
Unearned revenues	3,631			1,533
Total current liabilities	28,618			23,700
Long-term debt, less current maturities	9,555			8,662
Future policy benefits	2,443			2,361
Deferred income taxes and other liabilities	2,422			2,515
Total liabilities	43,038			37,238
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)
Shareholders’ 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; 1,054 and 1,086 issued and outstanding	11			11
Retained earnings	27,464			25,562
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
Net unrealized gains on investments, net of tax effects	412			280
Foreign currency translation losses	(15		)	(28		)
Total shareholders’ equity	27,872			25,825
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	70,910		$	63,063

See Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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UnitedHealth Group

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions, except per share data)	2011			2010			2011			2010
Revenues:
Premiums	$	22,806		$	21,467		$	68,622		$	63,720
Services	1,637			1,469			4,891			4,246
Products	667			596			1,921			1,701
Investment and other income	170			136			512			458
Total revenues	25,280			23,668			75,946			70,125
Operating costs:
Medical costs	18,408			17,192			55,711			51,583
Operating costs	3,899			3,548			11,249			10,183
Cost of products sold	609			536			1,762			1,553
Depreciation and amortization	294			247			834			744
Total operating costs	23,210			21,523			69,556			64,063
Earnings from operations	2,070			2,145			6,390			6,062
Interest expense	(129		)	(119		)	(366		)	(363		)
Earnings before income taxes	1,941			2,026			6,024			5,699
Provision for income taxes	(670		)	(749		)	(2,140		)	(2,108		)
Net earnings	$	1,271		$	1,277		$	3,884		$	3,591
Basic net earnings per common share	$	1.19		$	1.15		$	3.62		$	3.18
Diluted net earnings per common share	$	1.17		$	1.14		$	3.56		$	3.15
Basic weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	1,065			1,115			1,074			1,129
Dilutive effect of common stock equivalents	18			9			17			10
Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	1,083			1,124			1,091			1,139
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from the calculation of dilutive effect of common stock equivalents	43			97			49			98
Cash dividends per common share	$	0.1625		$	0.1250		$	0.4500		$	0.2800

See Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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UnitedHealth Group

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

(Unaudited)



					Additional Paid-In Capital			Retained Earnings			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)			Total Shareholders' Equity
	Common Stock
(in millions)	Shares		Amount
Balance at January 1, 2011	1,086		$	11	$	—		$	25,562		$	252		$	25,825
Net earnings								3,884						3,884
Net unrealized holding gains on investment securities during the period, net of tax expense											200			200
Reclassification adjustment for net realized gains included in net earnings, net of tax expense											(68		)	(68		)
Foreign currency translation gain											13			13
Issuances of common stock, and related tax benefits	14		—		231									231
Common stock repurchases	(46	)	—		(593		)	(1,501		)				(2,094		)
Share-based compensation, and related tax benefits					362									362
Common stock dividends								(481		)				(481		)
Balance at September 30, 2011	1,054		$	11	$	—		$	27,464		$	397		$	27,872

Balance at January 1, 2010	1,147		$	11	$	—		$	23,342		$	253		$	23,606
Net earnings								3,591						3,591
Net unrealized holding gains on investment securities during the period, net of tax expense											273			273
Reclassification adjustment for net realized gains included in net earnings, net of tax expense											(36		)	(36		)
Foreign currency translation gain											1			1
Issuances of common stock, and related tax benefits	11		—		126									126
Common stock repurchases	(59	)	—		(381		)	(1,511		)				(1,892		)
Share-based compensation, and related tax benefits					255									255
Common stock dividends								(313		)				(313		)
Balance at September 30, 2010	1,099		$	11	$	—		$	25,109		$	491		$	25,611

See Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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UnitedHealth Group

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)



	Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)	2011			2010
Operating activities
Net earnings	$	3,884		$	3,591
Noncash items:
Depreciation and amortization	834			744
Deferred income taxes	(88		)	(4		)
Share-based compensation	316			250
Other, net	(80		)	25
Net change in other operating items, net of effects from acquisitions and changes in AARP balances:
Accounts receivable	(215		)	(35		)
Other assets	(235		)	94
Medical costs payable	74			(152		)
Accounts payable and other liabilities	254			297
Other policy liabilities	542			93
Unearned revenues	2,097			(71		)
Cash flows from operating activities	7,383			4,832
Investing activities
Purchases of investments	(6,984		)	(5,177		)
Sales of investments	2,986			1,927
Maturities of investments	2,974			2,236
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash assumed	(1,478		)	(2,072		)
Cash received from dispositions, net of cash transferred	385			—
Purchases of property, equipment and capitalized software	(806		)	(548		)
Cash flows used for investing activities	(2,923		)	(3,634		)
Financing activities
Common stock repurchases	(2,094		)	(1,892		)
Proceeds from common stock issuances	311			189
Dividends paid	(481		)	(313		)
Proceeds from commercial paper, net	820			1,131
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	747			—
Repayments of long-term debt	(955		)	(1,333		)
Interest rate swap termination	132			—
Customer funds administered	1,656			1,014
Checks outstanding	(94		)	(221		)
Other, net	54			4
Cash flows from (used for) financing activities	96			(1,421		)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	4,556			(223		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	9,123			9,800
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	13,679		$	9,577

See Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)


1.	Basis of Presentation

The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the consolidated accounts of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated and its subsidiaries (the Company). The Company has eliminated intercompany balances and transactions. The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. 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 the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 as filed with the SEC (2010 10-K). The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary to present the interim financial statements fairly.

During the first quarter of 2011, the Company renamed its reportable segments to conform to the naming conventions of its market facing businesses. Consequently, the Health Benefits reportable segment is now UnitedHealthcare, and the health services businesses, OptumHealth, Ingenix, and Prescriptions Solutions, are now under the Company’s Optum brand as OptumHealth, OptumInsight, and OptumRx, respectively. On January 1, 2011, the Company realigned certain of its businesses to respond to changes in the markets it serves and the opportunities that are emerging as the health system evolves. For example, OptumHealth’s results of operations now include the Company’s clinical services assets, including Southwest Medical multi-specialty clinics in Nevada and Evercare nurse practitioners serving the frail and elderly, which had historically been reported in UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual and UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement, respectively. UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual’s results of operations now include OptumHealth Specialty Benefits, including dental, vision, life and disability. The Company’s reportable segments remain the same and prior period segment financial information has been recast to conform to the 2011 presentation. See Note 11 of Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for segment financial information.

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 medical costs payable and medical costs, risk-sharing provisions related to revenues, valuation and impairment analysis of goodwill and other intangible assets, other policy liabilities, other current receivables, valuation of investments, income taxes and contingent liabilities. 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 changes in estimates is included in earnings in the period in which the estimate is adjusted.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards. In July 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2011-06, “Other Expenses (Topic 720): Fees Paid to the Federal Government by Health Insurers a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force” (ASU 2011-06). This update addresses the recognition and classification of an entity’s share of the annual health insurance industry assessment (the “fee”) mandated by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and its related reconciliation act (Health Reform Legislation). The fee will be levied on health insurers for each calendar year beginning on or after January 1, 2014 and is not deductible for income tax purposes. For reporting entities subject to the fee, the amendments in ASU 2011-06 specify that the liability for the fee should be estimated and recorded in full once the entity provides qualifying health insurance in the applicable calendar year in which the fee is payable with a corresponding deferred cost that is amortized to expense using a straight-line method of allocation unless another method better allocates the fee over the calendar year that it is payable.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-08, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment” (ASU 2011-08). This update intends to simplify how entities test goodwill for impairment by including an option for entities to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test on the subject reporting unit. The amendments in ASU 2011-08 will be effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for the Company's fiscal year 2012. Early adoption is permitted, including for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed as of a date before the issuance of the amendments, if an entity’s financial statements for the most recent annual or interim period have not yet been issued. The adoption of ASU 2011-08 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Company has determined that there have been no other recently issued accounting standards that will have a material

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impact on its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


2.	Investments

A summary of short-term and long-term investments is as follows:



(in millions)	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
September 30, 2011
Debt securities - available-for-sale:
U.S. government and agency obligations	$	2,207	$	53	$	—		$	2,260
State and municipal obligations	6,353		331		(4		)	6,680
Corporate obligations	5,426		194		(28		)	5,592
U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	2,245		80		(1		)	2,324
Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	498		23		(1		)	520
Total debt securities - available-for-sale	16,729		681		(34		)	17,376
Equity securities - available-for-sale	514		24		(18		)	520
Debt securities - held-to-maturity:
U.S. government and agency obligations	167		8		—			175
State and municipal obligations	15		—		—			15
Corporate obligations	18		—		—			18
Total debt securities - held-to-maturity	200		8		—			208
Total investments	$	17,443	$	713	$	(52	)	$	18,104
December 31, 2010
Debt securities - available-for-sale:
U.S. government and agency obligations	$	2,214	$	28	$	(8	)	$	2,234
State and municipal obligations	6,007		183		(42		)	6,148
Corporate obligations	5,111		210		(11		)	5,310
U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	1,851		58		(6		)	1,903
Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	439		26		—			465
Total debt securities - available-for-sale	15,622		505		(67		)	16,060
Equity securities - available-for-sale	508		22		(14		)	516
Debt securities - held-to-maturity:
U.S. government and agency obligations	167		5		—			172
State and municipal obligations	15		—		—			15
Corporate obligations	21		—		—			21
Total debt securities - held-to-maturity	203		5		—			208
Total investments	$	16,333	$	532	$	(81	)	$	16,784

Included in the Company’s investment portfolio were securities collateralized by sub-prime home equity lines of credit with fair values of $2 million and $6 million as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. Also included were Alt-A securities with fair values of $10 million and $15 million as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

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The fair values of the Company’s mortgage-backed securities by credit rating and origination as of September 30, 2011 were as follows:



(in millions)	AAA		AA		A		Non-Investment Grade		Total Fair Value
2011	$	21	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	21
2010	—		3		—		—		3
2007	95		—		—		3		98
2006	173		—		—		10		183
2005	138		—		—		3		141
Pre - 2005	71		—		3		—		74
U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	2,324		—		—		—		2,324
Total	$	2,822	$	3	$	3	$	16	$	2,844

The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale debt securities as of September 30, 2011, by contractual maturity, were as follows:



(in millions)	Amortized Cost		Fair Value
Due in one year or less	$	2,824	$	2,838
Due after one year through five years	5,044		5,215
Due after five years through ten years	4,332		4,591
Due after ten years	1,786		1,888
U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	2,245		2,324
Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	498		520
Total debt securities - available-for-sale	$	16,729	$	17,376

The amortized cost and fair value of held-to-maturity debt securities as of September 30, 2011, by contractual maturity, were as follows:



(in millions)	Amortized Cost		Fair Value
Due in one year or less	$	41	$	41
Due after one year through five years	132		136
Due after five years through ten years	18		19
Due after ten years	9		12
Total debt securities - held-to-maturity	$	200	$	208

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The fair value of available-for-sale investments with gross unrealized losses by investment 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, 2011
Debt securities - available-for-sale:
State and municipal obligations	$	366	$	(3	)	$	35	$	(1	)	$	401	$	(4	)
Corporate obligations	1,296		(28		)	8		—			1,304		(28		)
U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	191		(1		)	1		—			192		(1		)
Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	56		(1		)	—		—			56		(1		)
Total debt securities - available-for-sale	$	1,909	$	(33	)	$	44	$	(1	)	$	1,953	$	(34	)
Equity securities - available-for-sale	$	242	$	(17	)	$	12	$	(1	)	$	254	$	(18	)
December 31, 2010
Debt securities - available-for-sale:
U.S. government and agency obligations	$	548	$	(8	)	$	—	$	—		$	548	$	(8	)
State and municipal obligations	1,383		(40		)	18		(2		)	1,401		(42		)
Corporate obligations	949		(11		)	14		—			963		(11		)
U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	355		(6		)	—		—			355		(6		)
Total debt securities - available-for-sale	$	3,235	$	(65	)	$	32	$	(2	)	$	3,267	$	(67	)
Equity securities - available-for-sale	$	206	$	(14	)	$	11	$	—		$	217	$	(14	)

The unrealized losses from all securities as of September 30, 2011 were generated from 2,100 positions out of a total of 15,000 positions. The Company believes that it will collect the principal and interest due on its investments that have an amortized cost in excess of fair value. The unrealized losses on investments in U.S. government and agency obligations, state and municipal obligations and corporate obligations as of September 30, 2011 were primarily caused by interest rate increases and not by unfavorable changes in the credit ratings associated with these securities. The Company evaluates impairment at each reporting period for securities where the fair value of the investment is less than its amortized cost. The Company evaluated the underlying credit quality of the issuers and the credit ratings of the state and municipal obligations and the corporate obligations, noting neither a significant deterioration since purchase nor other factors leading to an other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI). The unrealized losses on mortgage-backed securities as of September 30, 2011 were primarily caused by higher interest rates in the marketplace. These unrealized losses represented less than 1% of the total amortized cost of the Company’s mortgage-backed security holdings as of September 30, 2011. The Company believes these losses to be temporary. All of the Company’s mortgage-backed securities in an unrealized loss position as of September 30, 2011 were rated “AAA” with no known deterioration or other factors leading to an OTTI. As of September 30, 2011, the Company did not have the intent to sell any of the securities in an unrealized loss position.

As of September 30, 2011, the Company’s holdings of non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities included $7 million of commercial mortgage loans in default. These investments were acquired in the first quarter of 2008 pursuant to an acquisition and were recorded at fair value. They represented less than 1% of the Company’s total mortgage-backed security holdings as of September 30, 2011.

A portion of the Company’s investments in equity securities and venture capital funds consists of investments held in various public and nonpublic companies concentrated in the areas of health care services and related information technologies. Market conditions that affect the value of health care and related technology stocks will likewise impact the value of the Company’s equity portfolio. The equity securities and venture capital funds were evaluated for severity and duration of unrealized loss, overall market volatility and other market factors.

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Net realized gains included in Investment and Other Income on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations were from the following sources:



	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
(in millions)	2011			2010			2011			2010
Total OTTI	$	(4	)	$	(13	)	$	(10	)	$	(18	)
Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income	—			—			—			—
Net OTTI recognized in earnings	(4		)	(13		)	(10		)	(18		)
Gross realized losses from sales	(5		)	—			(9		)	(3		)
Gross realized gains from sales	46			14			125			76
Net realized gains	$	37		$	1		$	106		$	55

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, all of the recorded OTTI charges resulted from the Company’s intent to sell certain impaired securities.


3.	Fair Value

Fair values of available-for-sale debt and equity securities are based on quoted market prices, where available. The Company obtains one price for each security primarily from a third-party pricing service (pricing service), which generally uses quoted or other observable inputs for the determination of fair value. The pricing service normally derives the security prices through recently reported trades for identical or similar securities, making adjustments through the reporting date based upon available observable market information. For securities not actively traded, the pricing service may use quoted market prices of comparable instruments or discounted cash flow analyses, incorporating inputs that are currently observable in the markets for similar securities. Inputs that are often used in the valuation methodologies include, but are not limited to, benchmark yields, credit spreads, default rates, prepayment speeds and non-binding broker quotes. As the Company is responsible for the determination of fair value, it performs quarterly analyses on the prices received from the pricing service to determine whether the prices are reasonable estimates of fair value. Specifically, the Company compares the prices received from the pricing service to prices reported by its custodian, its investment consultant and third-party investment advisors. Additionally, the Company compares changes in the reported market values and returns to relevant market indices to test the reasonableness of the reported prices. The Company’s internal price verification procedures and review of fair value methodology documentation provided by independent pricing services has not historically resulted in adjustment in the prices obtained from the pricing service.

Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value in the financial statements. These assets and liabilities are classified into one of three levels of a hierarchy defined by U.S. GAAP. In instances in which the inputs used to measure fair value fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the fair value measurement has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular item to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, including the consideration of inputs specific to the asset or liability.

The fair value hierarchy is as follows:

Level 1 — Quoted (unadjusted) prices for identical assets/liabilities in active markets.

Level 2 — Other observable inputs, either directly or indirectly, including:


•	Quoted prices for similar assets/liabilities in active markets;


•	Quoted prices for identical or similar assets in non-active markets (e.g., few transactions, limited information, non-current prices, high variability over time);


•	Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset/liability (e.g., interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, default rates); and


•	Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by other observable market data.

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that cannot be corroborated by observable market data.

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The following table presents a summary of fair value measurements by level for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis excluding AARP related assets and liabilities.



(in millions)	Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)			Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)			Total Fair Value
September 30, 2011
Cash and cash equivalents	$	11,935		$	1,744		$	—		$	13,679
Debt securities - available-for-sale:
U.S. government and agency obligations	1,432			828			—			2,260
State and municipal obligations	—			6,680			—			6,680
Corporate obligations	44			5,416			132			5,592
U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	—			2,324			—			2,324
Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	—			513			7			520
Total debt securities - available-for-sale	1,476			15,761			139			17,376
Equity securities - available-for-sale	309			2			209			520
Total cash, cash equivalents and investments at fair value	13,720			17,507			348			31,575
Interest rate swap assets	—			6			—			6
Total assets at fair value	$	13,720		$	17,513		$	348		$	31,581
Percentage of total assets at fair value	43		%	56		%	1		%	100		%
December 31, 2010
Cash and cash equivalents	$	8,069		$	1,054		$	—		$	9,123
Debt securities - available-for-sale:
U.S. government and agency obligations	1,515			719			—			2,234
State and municipal obligations	—			6,148			—			6,148
Corporate obligations	31			5,146			133			5,310
U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	—			1,903			—			1,903
Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	—			457			8			465
Total debt securities - available-for-sale	1,546			14,373			141			16,060
Equity securities - available-for-sale	306			2			208			516
Total cash, cash equivalents and investments at fair value	9,921			15,429			349			25,699
Interest rate swap assets	—			46			—			46
Total assets at fair value	$	9,921		$	15,475		$	349		$	25,745
Percentage of total assets at fair value	39		%	60		%	1		%	100		%
Interest rate swap liabilities	$	—		$	104		$	—		$	104

There were no transfers between Levels 1 and 2 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.

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The Company provides health insurance products and services to members of AARP under a Supplemental Health Insurance Program (the Program). The Company elected to measure the entirety of the AARP Assets Under Management at fair value pursuant to the fair value option. See Note 12 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s 2010 10-K for further detail on AARP. The following table presents fair value information about the AARP Program-related financial assets and liabilities:



(in millions)	Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total Fair Value
September 30, 2011
Cash and cash equivalents	$	133	$	11	$	—	$	144
Debt securities:
U.S. government and agency obligations	533		211		—		744
State and municipal obligations	—		21		—		21
Corporate obligations	—		1,097		—		1,097
U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	—		439		—		439
Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	—		150		—		150
Total debt securities	533		1,918		—		2,451
Equity securities - available-for-sale	—		2		—		2
Total cash, cash equivalents and investments at fair value	$	666	$	1,931	$	—	$	2,597
Other liabilities	$	26	$	48	$	—	$	74
Total liabilities at fair value	$	26	$	48	$	—	$	74
December 31, 2010
Cash and cash equivalents	$	115	$	—	$	—	$	115
Debt securities:
U.S. government and agency obligations	515		244		—		759
State and municipal obligations	—		15		—		15
Corporate obligations	—		1,129		—		1,129
U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	—		393		—		393
Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	—		137		—		137
Total debt securities	515		1,918		—		2,433
Equity securities - available-for-sale	—		2		—		2
Total cash, cash equivalents and investments at fair value	$	630	$	1,920	$	—	$	2,550
Other liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	59	$	59
Total liabilities at fair value	$	—	$	—	$	59	$	59

There were no transfers between Levels 1 and 2 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.

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The table below includes fair values for certain financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate fair value. The carrying values and fair values of these financial instruments were as follows:



	September 30, 2011				December 31, 2010
(in millions)	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
Assets
Debt securities - available-for-sale	$	17,376	$	17,376	$	16,060	$	16,060
Equity securities - available-for-sale	520		520		516		516
Debt securities - held-to-maturity	200		208		203		208
AARP Program-related investments	2,453		2,453		2,435		2,435
Interest rate swap assets	6		6		46		46
Liabilities
Senior unsecured notes	10,166		11,463		10,212		10,903
Interest rate swap liabilities	—		—		104		104
AARP Program-related other liabilities	74		74		59		59

The carrying amounts reported in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts and other current receivables, unearned revenues, commercial paper, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value because of their short-term nature. These assets and liabilities are not listed in the table above.

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument:

Cash and Cash Equivalents. The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value as maturities are less than three months. Fair values of cash equivalent instruments that do not trade on a regular basis in active markets are classified as Level 2.

Debt Securities. The estimated fair values of debt securities held as available-for-sale are based on quoted market prices and/or other market data for the same or comparable instruments and transactions in establishing the prices. Fair values of debt securities that do not trade on a regular basis in active markets but are priced using other observable inputs are classified as Level 2. The Company’s Level 3 debt securities consist mainly of low income housing investments that are unique and non transferrable.

Equity Securities. Equity securities are held as available-for-sale investments. Fair value estimates for Level 1 and Level 2 publicly traded equity securities are based on quoted market prices and/or other market data for the same or comparable instruments and transactions in establishing the prices. The fair values of Level 3 investments in venture capital portfolios are estimated using market modeling approaches that rely heavily on management assumptions and qualitative observations. These investments totaled $169 million and $166 million as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. The fair values of the Company’s various venture capital investments are computed using limited quantitative and qualitative observations of activity for similar companies in the current market. The key inputs utilized in the Company’s market modeling include, as applicable, transactions for comparable companies in similar industries and having similar revenue and growth characteristics; similar preferences in the capital structure; discounted cash flows; liquidation values and milestones established at initial funding; and the assumption that the values of the Company’s venture capital investments can be inferred from these inputs. The Company’s remaining Level 3 equity securities holdings of $40 million and $42 million as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, consist of preferred stock and other items for which there are no active markets.

Interest Rate Swaps. Fair values of the Company’s interest rate swaps are estimated using the terms of the swaps and publicly available market yield curves. Because the swaps are unique and not actively traded, the fair values are classified as Level 2.

AARP Program-related Investments. AARP Program-related investments consist of debt and equity securities held to fund costs associated with the AARP Program and are priced and classified using the same methodologies as the Company’s other securities.

Senior Unsecured Notes. The fair values of the senior unsecured notes are estimated based on third-party quoted market prices for the same or similar issues.

AARP Program-related Other Liabilities. AARP Program-related other liabilities consist of liabilities that represent the amount of net investment gains and losses related to AARP Program-related investments that accrue to the benefit of the AARP policyholders.

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A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs is as follows:



	Three Months Ended									Nine Months Ended
(in millions)	Debt Securities			Equity Securities			Total			Debt Securities			Equity Securities			Total
September 30, 2011
Balance at beginning of period	$	140		$	222		$	362		$	141		$	208		$	349
Purchases	6			—			6			15			31			46
Sales	—			(2		)	(2		)	—			(16		)	(16		)
Settlements	(7		)	(6		)	(13		)	(17		)	(6		)	(23		)
Net unrealized losses in accumulated other comprehensive income	—			—			—			—			(3		)	(3		)
Net realized losses in investment and other income	—			(5		)	(5		)	—			(5		)	(5		)
Balance at end of period	$	139		$	209		$	348		$	139		$	209		$	348
September 30, 2010
Balance at beginning of period	$	107		$	186		$	293		$	120		$	312		$	432
Purchases	43			16			59			44			37			81
Sales	—			(1		)	(1		)	(8		)	(11		)	(19		)
Settlements	(4		)	—			(4		)	(11		)	(153		)	(164		)
Net unrealized gains in accumulated other comprehensive income	—			3			3			—			9			9
Net realized (losses) gains in investment and other income	—			(1		)	(1		)	1			9			10
Balance at end of period	$	146		$	203		$	349		$	146		$	203		$	349

Non-financial 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 three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.


4.	CMS Prepayments and Medicare Part D Pharmacy Benefits Contract

CMS Prepayments

On September 30, 2011, the Company received approximately $2.3 billion for its October monthly premium payment and approximately $650 million for the Catastrophic Reinsurance and Low-Income Member Cost Sharing Subsidies (Subsidies) and drug discount from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS generally pays on the first calendar day of the applicable month. If the first calendar day of the month falls on a weekend or a holiday, CMS has typically paid the Company on the last business day of the preceding calendar month. The Company recorded the premium payment as unearned revenues in both its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The treatment of the Subsidies and drug discount is described below.

Medicare Part D Pharmacy Benefits Contract

The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets include the following amounts associated with the Medicare Part D program:



	September 30, 2011						December 31, 2010
(in millions)	Subsidies		Drug Discount		Risk-Share		Subsidies		Risk-Share
Other current receivables	$	—	$	365	$	—	$	—	$	—
Other policy liabilities	1,658		582		260		475		265

The Subsidies represent cost reimbursements under the Medicare Part D program. The Company is fully reimbursed by CMS for costs incurred for these contract elements and, accordingly, there is no insurance risk to the Company. Beginning in 2011, the Health Reform Legislation mandates a consumer discount of 50% on brand name prescription drugs for Part D plan

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UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(Unaudited)

participants in the coverage gap. This discount is funded by CMS and pharmaceutical manufacturers while the Company administers the application of these funds. Amounts received for these Subsidies and discount are not reflected as premium revenues, but rather are accounted for as receivables and/or deposits. Related cash flows are presented as customer funds administered within financing activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Premiums from CMS are subject to risk-sharing provisions based on a comparison of the Company’s annual bid estimates of prescription drug costs and the actual costs incurred. Variances may result in CMS making additional payments to the Company or require the Company to remit funds to CMS subsequent to the end of the year. The Company records risk-share adjustments to premium revenue and other current receivables or other policy liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.


5.	Goodwill

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill, by reportable segment, were as follows:



(in millions)	UnitedHealthcare			OptumHealth		OptumInsight			OptumRx		Consolidated
Balance at December 31, 2010 (a)	$	17,837		$	760	$	3,308		$	840	$	22,745
Acquisitions	7			1,189		—			—		1,196
Dispositions	(2		)	—		(214		)	—		(216		)
Subsequent payments and adjustments, net	(2		)	—		—			—		(2		)
Balance at September 30, 2011	$	17,840		$	1,949	$	3,094		$	840	$	23,723


(a)	Prior period reportable segment financial information has been recast to conform to the 2011 presentation as discussed in Note 1 of Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


6.	Medical Costs and Medical Costs Payable

Medical costs and medical costs payable include estimates of the Company’s obligations for medical care services that have been rendered on behalf of insured consumers, but for which claims have either not yet been received or processed, and for liabilities for physician, hospital and other medical cost disputes. The Company develops estimates for medical costs incurred but not reported using an actuarial process that is consistently applied, centrally controlled and automated. The actuarial models consider factors such as time from date of service to claim receipt, claim backlogs, care provider contract rate changes, medical care consumption and other medical cost trends. The Company estimates liabilities for physician, hospital and other medical cost disputes based upon an analysis of potential outcomes, assuming a combination of litigation and settlement strategies. Each period, the Company re-examines previously established medical costs payable estimates based on actual claim submissions and other changes in facts and circumstances. As the medical costs payable estimates recorded in prior periods develop, the Company adjusts the amount of the estimates and includes the changes in estimates in medical costs in the period in which the change is identified.

For the three months ended September 30, 2011, there was $90 million of net favorable medical cost development related to prior fiscal years and $110 million of net favorable medical cost development related to the first half of 2011. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, medical costs included $650 million of net favorable medical cost development related to prior fiscal years. The favorable development in 2011 was primarily driven by continued efficiencies in claims submission, handling and processing, which results in higher completion factors, and lower than expected health system utilization levels.

For the three months ended September 30, 2010, there was $80 million of net favorable medical cost development related to prior fiscal years and $150 million of net favorable medical cost development related to the first half of 2010. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, medical costs included $660 million of net favorable medical cost development related to prior fiscal years. The favorable development for 2010 was primarily driven by lower than expected health system utilization levels and more efficient claims handling and processing.

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7.	Commercial Paper and Long-Term Debt

Commercial paper and long-term debt consisted of the following:



	September 30, 2011						December 31, 2010
(in millions)	Par Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value		Par Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
Commercial paper	$	1,753	$	1,753	$	1,753	$	930	$	930	$	930
Senior unsecured floating-rate notes due February 2011	—		—		—		250		250		250
5.3% senior unsecured notes due March 2011	—		—		—		705		712		711
5.5% senior unsecured notes due November 2012	352		366		370		352		372		377
4.9% senior unsecured notes due February 2013	534		541		560		534		541		568
4.9% senior unsecured notes due April 2013	409		423		430		409		425		437
4.8% senior unsecured notes due February 2014	172		185		186		172		186		184
5.0% senior unsecured notes due August 2014	389		427		427		389		425		423
4.9% senior unsecured notes due March 2015	416		462		460		416		456		444
5.4% senior unsecured notes due March 2016	601		682		685		601		666		661
5.4% senior unsecured notes due November 2016	95		95		109		95		95		105
6.0% senior unsecured notes due June 2017	441		501		505		441		484		491
6.0% senior unsecured notes due November 2017	156		174		181		156		167		174
6.0% senior unsecured notes due February 2018	1,100		1,124		1,305		1,100		1,065		1,249
3.9% senior unsecured notes due October 2020	450		441		475		450		413		429
4.7% senior unsecured notes due February 2021	400		420		441		—		—		—
Zero coupon senior unsecured notes due November 2022	1,095		611		690		1,095		588		677
5.8% senior unsecured notes due March 2036	850		844		985		850		844		862
6.5% senior unsecured notes due June 2037	500		495		625		500		495		552
6.6% senior unsecured notes due November 2037	650		645		822		650		645		729
6.9% senior unsecured notes due February 2038	1,100		1,084		1,439		1,100		1,085		1,281
5.7% senior unsecured notes due October 2040	300		298		343		300		298		299
6.0% senior unsecured notes due February 2041	350		348		425		—		—		—
Total commercial paper and long-term debt	$	12,113	$	11,919	$	13,216	$	11,495	$	11,142	$	11,833

Commercial Paper and Bank Credit Facility

Commercial paper consists of senior unsecured debt privately placed on a discount basis through broker-dealers with maturities up to 270 days. As of September 30, 2011, the Company’s outstanding commercial paper had a weighted-average annual interest rate of 0.4%.

The Company has a $2.5 billion five-year revolving bank credit facility with 23 banks, which expires in May 2012. This facility supports the Company’s commercial paper program and is available for general corporate purposes. There were no amounts outstanding under this facility during the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The interest rate on borrowings is variable based on term and amount and is calculated based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus a credit spread based on the Company’s senior unsecured credit ratings. As of September 30, 2011, the annual interest rate on this facility, had it been drawn, would have ranged from 0.4% to 0.8%.

Debt Covenants

The Company’s bank credit facility contains various covenants including requiring the Company to maintain a debt-to-total-capital ratio, calculated as debt divided by the sum of debt and shareholders’ equity, below 50%. The Company was in compliance with its debt covenants as of September 30, 2011.

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Long-Term Debt

In February 2011, the Company issued $750 million in senior unsecured notes. The issuance included $400 million of 4.7% fixed-rate notes due February 2021 and $350 million of 5.95% fixed-rate notes due February 2041.

Interest Rate Swap Contracts

During 2010, the Company entered into interest rate swap contracts to convert a portion of its interest rate exposure from fixed to floating rates. The interest rate swap contracts were benchmarked to LIBOR and were utilized to more closely align interest expense with interest income received on the Company's cash equivalent and investment balances. The swaps were designated as fair value hedges on fixed-rate debt issues maturing between November 2012 through March 2016 and June 2017 through October 2020. Since the specific terms and notional amounts of the swaps matched those of the debt being hedged, they were assumed to be highly effective hedges and all changes in fair value of the swaps were recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets with no net impact recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The following table provides a summary of the effect of changes in fair value of fair value hedges, prior to their termination, on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations:



	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
(in millions)	2011			2010			2011			2010
Hedge gain recognized in interest expense	$	132		$	56		$	190		$	89
Hedged item loss recognized in interest expense	(132		)	(56		)	(190		)	(89		)
Net impact on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—

In August 2011, the Company terminated all but one of its interest rate swap fair value hedges ($5.3 billion notional amount). As of the swap contracts' termination date the aggregate favorable adjustment to the carrying value of the Company's debt was $132 million, which is being amortized as a reduction to interest expense over the remaining lives of the underlying debt obligations, which had in total a weighted-average life of 4.3 years. For both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the net impact of the gain amortization was not material. The purpose of the August 2011 interest rate swap terminations was to lock-in the impact of low market floating interest rates and reduce the effective interest rate on hedged long-term debt.

Also in August 2011, the Company elected to de-designate the remaining interest rate swap ($150 million notional amount) and enter into an inverse interest rate swap contract, which effectively converted the remaining swap's floating-rate cash flow stream to a fixed rate. These swaps are not designated as fair value hedges and accordingly any changes in fair value would be recognized in interest expense in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. For both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the effect on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations was not material. As of September 30, 2011, the fair value of the Company's interest rate swap assets was $6 million which was recorded in other long-term assets in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.


8.	Shareholders’ Equity

Share Repurchase Program

Under its Board of Directors’ authorization, the Company maintains a share repurchase program. The objectives of the share repurchase program are to optimize the Company’s capital structure and cost of capital, thereby improving returns to shareholders, as well as to offset the dilutive impact of share-based awards. Repurchases may be made from time to time at prevailing prices in the open market, subject to certain Board restrictions. In May 2011, the Board renewed the Company’s share repurchase program with an authorization to repurchase up to 110 million shares of its common stock. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company repurchased 46 million shares at an average price of approximately $46 per share and an aggregate cost of $2.1 billion. As of September 30, 2011, the Company had Board authorization to purchase up to an additional 84 million shares of its common stock.

Dividends

In May 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors increased the Company’s cash dividend to shareholders to an annual dividend rate of $0.65 per share, paid quarterly. Since June 2010, the Company had paid a quarterly dividend of $0.125 per share. 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.

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The following table provides details of the Company’s dividend payments in 2011:



Payment Date	Amount per Share		Total Amount Paid
			(in millions)
3/21/2011	$	0.1250	$	135
6/21/2011	0.1625		174
9/21/2011	0.1625		172


9.	Share-Based Compensation

In May 2011, the Company’s shareholders approved the 2011 Stock Incentive Plan (Plan). The Plan is intended to attract and retain employees and non-employee directors, offer them incentives to put forth maximum efforts for the success of the Company’s business and afford them an opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company. The Plan allows the Company to grant stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance awards or other stock-based awards to eligible employees and non-employee directors. The Plan incorporates the following plans adopted by the Company: 2002 Stock and Incentive Plan, 1991 Stock and Incentive Plan, 1998 Broad-Based Stock Incentive Plan and Non-employee Director Stock Option Plan. All outstanding stock options, restricted stock and other awards issued under the prior plans will remain subject to the terms and conditions of the plans under which they were issued.

As of September 30, 2011, the Company had 49 million shares available for future grants of share-based awards under its share-based compensation plan, including, but not limited to, incentive or non-qualified stock options, stock-settled stock appreciation rights (SARs), and up to 23 million of awards in restricted stock and restricted stock units (collectively, restricted shares). The Company’s outstanding share-based awards consist mainly of non-qualified stock options, SARs and restricted shares.

The objectives of the Company's share repurchase program are to optimize the Company’s capital structure, cost of capital and return to shareholders, as well as to offset the dilutive impact of shares issued for share-based award exercises. See Note 8 of Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more detail on the Company's share repurchase program.

Stock Options and SARs

Stock options and SARs generally vest ratably over four to six years and may be exercised up to 10 years from the date of grant. Stock option and SAR activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 is summarized in the table below:



	Shares		Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
	(in millions)				(in years)	(in millions)
Outstanding at beginning of period	112		$	40
Granted	1		43
Exercised	(13	)	30
Forfeited	(3	)	44
Outstanding at end of period	97		41		4.8	$	751
Exercisable at end of period	79		43		4.2	515
Vested and expected to vest end of period	96		41		4.8	740

To determine compensation expense related to the Company’s stock options and SARs, the fair value of each award is estimated on the date of grant using a binomial option-pricing model. The principal assumptions the Company used in applying the option-pricing models were as follows:



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2011		2010		2011	2010
Risk free interest rate	1.2	%	1.4	%	1.2% - 2.3%	1.4% - 2.1%
Expected volatility	44.6	%	45.4	%	44.3% - 44.6%	45.4% - 46.2%
Expected dividend yield	1.4	%	1.5	%	1.0% - 1.4%	0.1% - 1.7%
Forfeiture rate	5.0	%	5.0	%	5.0%	5.0%
Expected life in years	4.9		4.6		4.9	4.6 - 5.1

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Risk-free interest rates are based on U.S. Treasury yields in effect at the time of grant. Expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock and the implied volatility from exchange-traded options on the Company’s common stock. The Company uses historical data to estimate option and SAR exercises and forfeitures within the valuation model. The expected lives of options and SARs granted represents the period of time that the awards granted are expected to be outstanding based on historical exercise patterns.

The weighted-average grant date fair value of stock options and SARs granted during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 was approximately $16 per share and $15 per share, respectively. The weighted-average grant date fair value of stock options and SARs granted during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 was approximately $11 per share and $13 per share, respectively. The total intrinsic value of stock options and SARs exercised during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 was $42 million and $216 million, respectively. The total intrinsic value of stock options and SARs exercised during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $33 million and $96 million, respectively.

Restricted Shares

Restricted shares generally vest ratably over three to four years. Compensation expense related to restricted shares is based on the share price on date of grant. Restricted share activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 is summarized in the table below:



(shares in millions)	Shares		Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share
Nonvested at beginning of period	13		$	31
Granted	8		42
Vested	(3	)	32
Forfeitures	(1	)	34
Nonvested at end of period	17		36

The weighted-average grant date fair value of restricted shares granted during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 was approximately $41 per share and $42 per share, respectively. The weighted-average grant date fair value of restricted shares granted during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 was approximately $29 per share and $32 per share, respectively. The total fair value of restricted shares vested during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 was $2 million and $110 million, respectively. The total fair value of restricted shares vested during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $2 million and $86 million, respectively.

Share-Based Compensation Recognition

The Company recognizes compensation expense for share-based awards, including stock options, SARs and restricted shares, on a straight-line basis over the related service period (generally the vesting period) of the award, or to an employee’s eligible retirement date under the award agreement, if earlier. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company recognized compensation expense related to its share-based compensation plans of $98 million ($44 million net of tax effects) and $316 million ($198 million net of tax effects), respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company recognized compensation expense related to its share-based compensation plans of $83 million ($75 million net of tax effects) and $250 million ($227 million net of tax effects), respectively. Share-based compensation expense is recognized in Operating Costs in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of September 30, 2011, there was $483 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to share awards that is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.1 years. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 the income tax benefit realized from share-based award exercises was $19 million and $135 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 the income tax benefit realized from share-based award exercises was $12 million and $56 million, respectively.

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10.	Comprehensive Income

The table below presents comprehensive income, defined as changes in the equity of the Company’s business excluding changes resulting from investments by and distributions to its shareholders.



	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
(in millions)	2011			2010			2011			2010
Net earnings	$	1,271		$	1,277		$	3,884		$	3,591
Net unrealized holding gains on investment securities arising during the period, net of tax expense of $54, $72, $113 and $154, respectively	98			125			200			273
Reclassification adjustment for net realized gains included in net earnings, net of tax expense of $13, $0, $38 and $19, respectively	(24		)	(1		)	(68		)	(36		)
Foreign currency translation (losses) gains	(9		)	14			13			1
Comprehensive income	$	1,336		$	1,415		$	4,029		$	3,829


11.	Segment Financial Information

The Company has four reportable segments:


•	UnitedHealthcare;


•	OptumHealth;


•	OptumInsight; and


•	OptumRx.

The following is a description of the types of products and services from which each of the Company’s reportable segments derives its revenues:

•

UnitedHealthcare includes the combined results of operations of UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual, UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement and UnitedHealthcare Community & State because they have similar economic characteristics, products and services, types of customers, distribution methods and operational processes and operate in a similar regulatory environment. These businesses also share significant common assets, including a contracted network of physicians, health care professionals, hospitals and other facilities, information technology infrastructure and other resources. UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual offers a comprehensive array of consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services for large national employers, public sector employers, mid-sized employers, small businesses and individuals nationwide. UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement provides health and well-being services to individuals age 50 and older, addressing their unique needs for preventive and acute health care services as well as services dealing with chronic disease and other specialized issues for older individuals. UnitedHealthcare Community & State provides network-based health and well-being services to beneficiaries of State Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Programs (CHIP) and other government-sponsored health care programs.


•	OptumHealth provides behavioral benefit solutions, health management and wellness offerings, clinical services and financial services to help consumers navigate the health care system, finance their health care needs and achieve their health and well-being goals.


•	OptumInsight offers health information and technology solutions, including connectivity, compliance, clinical workflow and electronic medical record software, and consulting and outsourced services to employers, health plan sponsors, physicians, hospital systems, life sciences companies, and other users of health information.


•	OptumRx offers a comprehensive suite of integrated pharmacy benefit management services, including retail network pharmacy management, mail order pharmacy services, specialty pharmacy services, benefit design consultation, drug utilization review, formulary management programs, disease management and compliance and therapy management programs.

Transactions between reportable segments principally consist of sales of pharmacy benefit products and services to UnitedHealthcare customers by OptumRx, certain product offerings and clinical services sold to UnitedHealthcare by OptumHealth, and health information and technology solutions, consulting and other services sold to UnitedHealthcare by OptumInsight. These transactions are recorded at management’s estimate of fair value. Intersegment transactions are eliminated

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in consolidation.

Prior period reportable segment financial information has been recast to conform to the 2011 presentation as discussed in Note 1 of Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Corporate and intersegment eliminations are presented to reconcile the reportable segment results to the consolidated results. The following table presents reportable segment financial information:



			Optum
(in millions)	UnitedHealthcare		OptumHealth(a)		OptumInsight		OptumRx		Total Optum		Corporate and Intersegment Eliminations			Consolidated
Three Months Ended September 30, 2011
Revenues - external customers:
Premiums	$	22,441	$	365	$	—	$	—	$	365	$	—		$	22,806
Services	1,058		197		363		19		579		—			1,637
Products	—		5		24		638		667		—			667
Total revenues - external customers	23,499		567		387		657		1,611		—			25,110
Total revenues - intersegment	—		1,131		237		4,217		5,585		(5,585		)	—
Investment and other income	144		25		1		—		26		—			170
Total revenues	$	23,643	$	1,723	$	625	$	4,874	$	7,222	$	(5,585	)	$	25,280
Earnings from operations	$	1,750	$	115	$	91	$	114	$	320	$	—		$	2,070
Interest expense	—		—		—		—		—		(129		)	(129		)
Earnings before income taxes	$	1,750	$	115	$	91	$	114	$	320	$	(129	)	$	1,941
Three Months Ended September 30, 2010
Revenues - external customers:
Premiums	$	21,144	$	323	$	—	$	—	$	323	$	—		$	21,467
Services	1,017		78		358		16		452		—			1,469
Products	—		6		23		567		596		—			596
Total revenues - external customers	22,161		407		381		583		1,371		—			23,532
Total revenues - intersegment	—		726		211		3,584		4,521		(4,521		)	—
Investment and other income	122		13		—		1		14		—			136
Total revenues	$	22,283	$	1,146	$	592	$	4,168	$	5,906	$	(4,521	)	$	23,668
Earnings from operations	$	1,835	$	103	$	70	$	137	$	310	$	—		$	2,145
Interest expense	—		—		—		—		—		(119		)	(119		)
Earnings before income taxes	$	1,835	$	103	$	70	$	137	$	310	$	(119	)	$	2,026

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			Optum
(in millions)	UnitedHealthcare		OptumHealth(a)		OptumInsight		OptumRx		Total Optum		Corporate and Intersegment Eliminations			Consolidated
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
Revenues - external customers:
Premiums	$	67,535	$	1,087	$	—	$	—	$	1,087	$	—		$	68,622
Services	3,194		421		1,220		56		1,697		—			4,891
Products	—		17		51		1,853		1,921		—			1,921
Total revenues - external customers	70,729		1,525		1,271		1,909		4,705		—			75,434
Total revenues - intersegment	—		3,305		682		12,285		16,272		(16,272		)	—
Investment and other income	441		70		1		—		71		—			512
Total revenues	$	71,170	$	4,900	$	1,954	$	14,194	$	21,048	$	(16,272	)	$	75,946
Earnings from operations	$	5,408	$	359	$	261	$	362	$	982	$	—		$	6,390
Interest expense	—		—		—		—		—		(366		)	(366		)
Earnings before income taxes	$	5,408	$	359	$	261	$	362	$	982	$	(366	)	$	6,024
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010
Revenues - external customers:
Premiums	$	62,785	$	935	$	—	$	—	$	935	$	—		$	63,720
Services	3,005		232		962		47		1,241		—			4,246
Products	—		14		48		1,639		1,701		—			1,701
Total revenues - external customers	65,790		1,181		1,010		1,686		3,877		—			69,667
Total revenues - intersegment	—		2,167		616		10,765		13,548		(13,548		)	—
Investment and other income	415		42		—		1		43		—			458
Total revenues	$	66,205	$	3,390	$	1,626	$	12,452	$	17,468	$	(13,548	)	$	70,125
Earnings from operations	$	5,091	$	388	$	183	$	400	$	971	$	—		$	6,062
Interest expense	—		—		—		—		—		(363		)	(363		)
Earnings before income taxes	$	5,091	$	388	$	183	$	400	$	971	$	(363	)	$	5,699


(a)	As of September 30, 2011, OptumHealth’s total assets were $6.3 billion as compared to $3.9 billion as of December 31, 2010. The increase was primarily due to acquisitions completed in 2011.


12.	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 class actions and suits brought by members, providers, customers and regulators, relating to the Company’s management and administration of health benefit plans. 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 probable 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 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

Out-of-Network Reimbursement Litigation. In 2000, a group of plaintiffs including the American Medical Association filed a lawsuit against the Company asserting a variety of claims challenging the Company’s determination of reimbursement amounts for non-network health care services based on the Company’s use of a database previously maintained by Ingenix, Inc. (now known as OptumInsight). The parties entered into a settlement agreement in 2009 and this class action lawsuit, along with a related industry-wide investigation by the New York Attorney General, is now resolved. The Company remains a party to a

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number of other lawsuits, including putative class actions and multidistrict litigation, brought on behalf of members of other health insurance companies, including Aetna, WellPoint and CIGNA, challenging those companies’ determinations of out-of network reimbursement amounts based on their use of the same database. Those suits allege, among other things, that the database licensed to these companies by Ingenix was flawed and that Ingenix conspired with these companies to underpay their members’ claims and seek unspecified damages and treble damages, injunctive and declaratory relief, interest, costs and attorneys fees. The Company is vigorously defending these suits. The Company cannot reasonably estimate the range of loss, if any, that may result from these matters due to the procedural status of the cases, motions to dismiss that are pending in several of the cases, the absence of class certification in any of the cases, the lack of a formal demand on the Company by the plaintiffs, and the involvement of other insurance companies as defendants.

California Claims Processing Matter. In 2007, the California Department of Insurance (CDI) examined the Company’s PacifiCare health insurance plan in California. The examination findings related to the timeliness and accuracy of claims processing, interest payments, provider contract implementation, provider dispute resolution and other related matters. On January 25, 2008, the 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 in connection with the CDI’s examination findings. On June 3, 2009, the Company filed a Notice of Defense to the Order to Show Cause denying all material allegations and asserting certain defenses. The matter has been the subject of an administrative hearing before a California administrative law judge since December 2009. CDI amended its Order to Show Cause three times in 2010 to allege a total of 992,936 violations, the large majority of which relate to an alleged failure to include certain language in standard claims correspondence during a four month period in 2007. Although we believe that CDI has never issued an aggregate penalty in excess of $8 million, CDI has previously alleged in press reports and releases that the Company could theoretically be subject to penalties of up to $10,000 per violation. CDI has since indicated that it is seeking an average penalty of approximately $326 per alleged violation. The Company is vigorously defending against the claims in this matter and believes that the penalty requested by CDI is excessive and without merit. After the administrative law judge issues a ruling at the conclusion of the administrative proceeding, the California Insurance Commissioner may accept, reject or modify the administrative law judge’s ruling, issue his own decision, and impose a fine or penalty. The Commissioner’s decision is subject to challenge in court. 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 novel legal issues presented (including the legal basis for the majority of the alleged violations), the inherent difficulty in predicting regulatory fines and penalties, and the various remedies and levels of judicial review available to the Company in the event a fine or penalty is assessed.

Government Regulation

The Company’s business is regulated at federal, state, local and international levels. The laws and rules governing the Company’s business and interpretations of those laws and rules are subject to frequent change. Broad latitude is given to the agencies administering those regulations. Further, the Company must obtain and maintain regulatory approvals to market and sell many of its products.

The Company has been and is currently involved in various governmental investigations, audits and reviews. These include routine, regular and special investigations, audits and reviews by CMS, state insurance and health and welfare departments, state attorneys general, the Office of Inspector General (OIG), the Office of Personnel Management, the Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Congressional committees, the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Attorneys, the SEC, the IRS, the U.S. Department of Labor, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and other governmental authorities. For example, in October 2011, CMS conducted an audit of the Company's Medicare Advantage and Part D business. CMS has communicated to the Company certain issues identified during the audit and the Company is in the process of responding. Other examples of audits include the risk adjustment data validation (RADV) audits discussed below and a review by the U.S. Department of Labor of the Company’s administration of applicable customer employee benefit plans with respect to ERISA compliance.

Government actions can result in assessment of damages, civil or criminal fines or penalties, or other sanctions, including loss of licensure or exclusion from participation in government programs and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial results.

Risk Adjustment Data Validation Audits. CMS adjusts capitation payments to Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans according to the predicted health status of each beneficiary, as supported by data provided by health care providers. The Company collects claim and encounter data from providers, who the Company generally relies on to appropriately code their claim submissions and document their medical records. CMS then determines the risk score and payment amount for each enrolled member based on the health care data submitted and member demographic information.

In 2008, CMS announced that it would perform RADV audits of selected Medicare Advantage health plans each year to validate the coding practices of and supporting documentation maintained by health care providers. These audits involve a

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review of medical records maintained by providers and may result in retrospective adjustments to payments made to health plans. Certain of the Company’s health plans have been selected for audit. These audits are focused on medical records supporting risk adjustment data for 2006 that were used to determine 2007 payment amounts. Although these audits are ongoing, the Company does not believe they will have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

In December 2010, CMS published for public comment a new proposed RADV audit and payment adjustment methodology. The proposed methodology contains provisions allowing retroactive contract level payment adjustments for the year audited using an extrapolation of the “error rate” identified in audit samples. The Company has submitted comments to CMS regarding concerns the Company has with CMS’ proposed methodology. These concerns include, among others, the fact that the proposed methodology does not take into account the “error rate” in the original Medicare fee-for-service data that was used to develop the risk adjustment system. Additionally, payments received from CMS, as well as benefits offered and premiums charged to members, are based on actuarially certified bids that did not include any assumption of retroactive audit payment adjustments. The Company believes that applying retroactive audit and payment adjustments after CMS acceptance of bids undermines the actuarial soundness of the bids. On February 3, 2011, CMS notified the Company that CMS was evaluating all comments received on the proposed methodology and that it anticipated making changes to the draft, based on input CMS had received. CMS also indicated that it anticipated the final methodology would be issued in the near future. Depending on the methodology utilized, potential payment adjustments could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

The Company is also in discussions with the OIG for Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding audits of the Company’s risk adjustment data for two plans. While the Company does not believe OIG has governing authority to directly impose payment adjustments for risk adjustment audits of Medicare health plans operated under the regulatory authority of CMS, the OIG can recommend to CMS a proposed payment adjustment, and the Company is unable to predict the outcome of these discussions and audits.

Guaranty Fund Assessments. Under state guaranty assessment laws, certain insurance companies (and health maintenance organizations in some states), including those issuing health (which includes long-term care), life and accident insurance policies, doing business in those states can be assessed (up to prescribed limits) for certain obligations to the policyholders and claimants of insolvent insurance companies that write the same line or lines of business. Assessments are generally based on premiums in the state compared to the premiums of other insurers, and could be spread out over a period of years. Some states permit member insurers to recover assessments paid through full or partial premium tax offsets.

The Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner has placed Penn Treaty Network America Insurance Company and its subsidiary (Penn Treaty), neither of which is affiliated with the Company, in rehabilitation, an intermediate action before insolvency, and has petitioned a state court for liquidation. If Penn Treaty is liquidated, the Company’s insurance entities and other insurers may be required to pay a portion of Penn Treaty’s policyholder claims through guaranty association assessments in future periods. The Company has estimated a potential assessment of $250 million to $350 million in 2012 related to this matter, and the Company would accrue the assessment in operating costs if and when the state court renders such a decision. The timing, actual amount and impact, if any, of any guaranty fund assessments will depend on several factors, including if and when the court declares Penn Treaty insolvent, the amount of the insolvency, the availability and amount of any potential offsets, such as an offset of any premium taxes otherwise payable by the Company, and the impact of any such assessments on potential premium rebate payments under the Health Reform Legislation.

See Item 1, “Business — Government Regulation,” and Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in the Company’s 2010 10-K for additional regulatory information and related risks.

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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. References to the terms “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 subsidiaries.

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

General

UnitedHealth Group is a diversified health and well-being company, whose focus is on improving the overall health and well-being of the people and communities we serve and enhancing the performance of the health system. We work with health care professionals and other key partners to expand access to high quality health care. We help people get the care they need at an affordable cost; support the physician/patient relationship; and empower people with the information, guidance and tools they need to make personal health choices and decisions.

Through our diversified family of businesses, we leverage core competencies in advanced technology-based transactional capabilities; health care data, knowledge and information; and health care resource organization and care facilitation to help make health care work better. We use these core competencies to address distinct market needs across the health economy through our two business platforms – Health Benefits through the UnitedHealthcare master brand and Health Services through the Optum master brand. UnitedHealthcare includes three distinct businesses that share systems, networks and one unified brand name to offer customers broad access to high-quality, cost-effective health care at the local level. Health Benefits are offered in the individual and employer markets and the public and senior markets through our UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual, UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement, and UnitedHealthcare Community & State businesses. Optum includes three diversified information and technology-enabled services businesses, OptumHealth, OptumInsight (formerly Ingenix) and OptumRx (formerly Prescription Solutions), serving the broad health care marketplace, ranging from employers and health plans to physicians, hospitals and life sciences companies. In aggregate, our two business platforms have more than two dozen distinct business units that address specific end markets. Each of these business units focuses on helping improve overall health system performance by optimizing care quality, reducing costs and improving the consumer experience.

Revenues

Our revenues are primarily comprised of premiums derived from risk-based health insurance arrangements in which the premium is typically at a fixed rate per individual served for a one-year period, and we assume the economic risk of funding our customers’ health care benefits and related administrative costs. Effective in 2011, commercial health plans with medical loss ratios on fully insured products, as calculated under the definitions in the Health Reform Legislation and implementing regulations, that fall below certain targets (85% for large employer groups, 80% for small employer groups and 80% for individuals, subject to state-specific exceptions) are required to rebate ratable portions of their premiums annually. Rebate payments for 2011 would be made in mid 2012. As a result, quarterly premium revenue may be reduced by a pro rata estimate of our full-year medical loss ratio rebate payable under the Health Reform Legislation. We also generate revenues from fee-based services performed for customers that self-insure the health care costs of their employees and employees’ dependants. For both risk-based and fee-based health care benefit arrangements, we provide coordination and facilitation of medical services; transaction processing; health care professional services; and access to contracted networks of physicians, hospitals and other health care professionals. We also generate service revenues from our health intelligence, consulting and care solutions businesses. Product revenues are mainly comprised of products sold by our pharmacy benefit management business. We derive investment income primarily from interest earned on our investments in debt securities; investment income also includes gains or losses when investment securities are sold, or other-than-temporarily impaired.

Operating Costs

Medical Costs. Our operating results depend in large part on our ability to effectively estimate, price for and manage our medical costs through underwriting criteria, product design, negotiation of favorable care provider contracts and care coordination programs. Controlling medical costs requires a comprehensive and integrated approach to organize and advance the full range of interrelationships among patients/consumers, health professionals, hospitals, pharmaceutical/technology manufacturers and other key stakeholders.

Medical costs include estimates of our obligations for medical care services rendered on behalf of insured consumers for which we have not yet received or processed claims, and our estimates for physician, hospital and other medical cost disputes. In every reporting period, our operating results include the effects of more completely developed medical costs payable estimates associated with previously reported periods.

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Our medical care ratio, calculated as medical costs as a percentage of premium revenues, reflects the combination of pricing, rebates, benefit designs, consumer health care utilization and comprehensive care facilitation efforts. We seek to sustain a stable medical care ratio for an equivalent mix of business. However, changes in business mix, such as expanding participation in comparatively higher medical care ratio government-sponsored public sector programs and Health Reform Legislation may impact our premiums, medical costs and medical care ratio.

Operating Costs. Operating costs are primarily comprised of costs related to employee compensation and benefits, agent and broker commissions, premium taxes and assessments, professional fees, advertising and occupancy costs. We seek to improve our operating cost ratio, calculated as operating costs as a percentage of total revenues, for an equivalent mix of business. However, changes in business mix, such as increases in the size of our health services businesses may impact our operating costs and operating cost ratio.

Cash Flows

We generate cash primarily from premiums, service and product revenues and investment income, as well as proceeds from the sale or maturity of our investments. Our primary uses of cash are for payments of medical claims and operating costs, payments on debt, purchases of investments, acquisitions, dividends to shareholders and common stock repurchases. For more information on our cash flows, see “Liquidity” below.

Business Trends

Our businesses participate in the U.S. health economy, which comprises approximately 18% of U.S. gross domestic product and which has grown consistently for many years. We expect overall spending on health care in the U.S. to continue to rise in the future, due to inflation, medical technology and pharmaceutical advancement, regulatory requirements, demographic trends in the U.S. 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 enacted health care reforms, which could also impact our results of operations.

Health Care Reforms. In the first quarter of 2010, the Health Reform Legislation was signed into law. The Health Reform Legislation expands access to coverage and modifies aspects of the commercial insurance market, the Medicaid and Medicare programs, CHIP and other aspects of the health care system. HHS, the Department of Labor and the Treasury Department have issued regulations (or proposed regulations) on a number of aspects of Health Reform Legislation, but we await final rules and interim guidance on other key aspects of the legislation, all of which have a variety of effective dates.

We operate a diversified set of businesses that focus on health care, and our business model is designed to address a multitude of market sectors. The Health Reform Legislation and the related federal and state regulations will impact how we do business and could restrict growth in certain products and market segments, restrict premium rate increases for certain products and market segments, increase our medical and administrative costs or expose us to an increased risk of liability, any or all of which could have a material adverse effect on us. We also anticipate that the Health Reform Legislation will further increase attention on the need for health care cost containment and improvements in quality, as well as in prevention, wellness and disease management. We believe demand for many of our service offerings, such as consulting services, data management, information technology and related infrastructure construction, disease management, and population-based health and wellness programs will continue to grow.

As previously discussed, effective in 2011, commercial health plans with medical loss ratios on fully insured products that fall below certain targets are required to rebate ratable portions of their premiums annually. The potential for and size of the rebates will be measured by state, by group size and by licensed subsidiary. This disaggregation of insurance pools into much smaller pools will likely decrease the predictability of results for any given pool and could lead to variation over time in the estimates of rebates owed in total. In the aggregate, the rebate regulations cap the level of margin that can be attained.

Depending on the results of the calculation, there is a broad range of potential rebate and other business impacts and there could be meaningful disruption in local health care markets if companies decide to adjust their offerings in response to these requirements. For example, companies could elect to change pricing, modify product features or benefits, adjust their mix of business or even exit segments of the market. Companies could also seek to adjust their operating costs to support reduced premiums by making changes to their distribution arrangements or decreasing spending on non-medical product features and services. Companies continue to face a significant amount of uncertainty given the breadth of possible changes, including changes in the competitive environment, state rate approval, fluctuations in medical costs, the statistical variation that results from assessing business by state, by license and by group size and the potential for meaningful market disruption in 2011 and 2012. We have made changes to reduce our product distribution costs in the individual market in response to the Health Reform Legislation, including reducing broker commissions, and are implementing changes to distribution in the large group insured market segment. These changes could impact future growth in these products. Other market participants could also implement

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changes to their business practices in response to the Health Reform Legislation, which could positively or negatively impact our growth and market share.

The Health Reform Legislation also requires HHS to maintain an annual review of “unreasonable” increases in premium rates for commercial health plans. HHS issued final regulations in May 2011 that defined a review threshold of annual premium rate increases generally at or above 10% (with state-specific thresholds to be applicable commencing September 2012), and clarified that the HHS review will not supersede existing state review and approval processes. The regulations further require commercial health plans to provide to the states and HHS extensive information supporting any rate increase of 10% (or applicable state threshold) or more.

The Federal government is encouraging states to intensify their reviews of requests for rate increases by commercial health plans and providing funding to assist in those state-level reviews. Generally, rate approval responsibility still lies with the states under the HHS regulations. Since August 2010, HHS has allocated approximately $250 million for grants to states to enable the states to conduct more robust reviews of requests for premium increases. Many states have applied for and received grants, and state regulators have signaled their intent to more closely scrutinize premium rates. For example, premium rate review legislation (ranging from new or enhanced rate filing requirements to prior approval requirements) has been introduced or passed in more than half of the states in 2011. As a result, we have begun to experience greater regulatory challenges to appropriate premium rate increases in several states, including California and New York. Depending on the level of anticipated increased scrutiny by the states, there is a broad range of potential business impacts. For example, it may become more difficult to price our commercial risk business consistent with expected underlying cost trends, leading to the risk of operating margin compression.

Effective in 2011, the Health Reform Legislation mandates consumer discounts of 50% on brand name prescription drugs and 7% on generic prescription drugs for Part D plan participants in the coverage gap. This statutory reduction in drug prices for seniors in the coverage gap may cause individuals who may have had difficulty affording their medications to increase their pharmaceutical usage. The change in pricing could also have secondary effects, such as changing the mix of brand name and generic drug usage by seniors. We have incorporated the anticipated impact of these changes in our 2011 product pricing and pharmacy benefit management business plan.

As part of the Health Reform Legislation, Medicare Advantage payment rates for 2011 were frozen at 2010 levels. Separately, CMS implemented a reduction in Medicare Advantage reimbursements of 1.6% for 2011. We expect the 2011 rates will be outpaced by underlying medical trends, placing continued importance on effective medical management and ongoing improvements in administrative costs. Beginning in 2012, additional cuts to Medicare Advantage plans will take effect (plans will ultimately receive rates ranging from 95% of Medicare fee-for-service rates in high cost areas to 115% in low cost areas), with changes being phased-in over two to six years, depending on the level of payment reduction in a county. All of these changes could result in reduced enrollment or reimbursement or payment levels. There are a number of annual adjustments we can make to our operations, which may partially offset any impact from these rate reductions. For example, we can seek to intensify our medical and operating cost management, adjust members’ benefits and decide on a county-by-county basis in which geographies to participate. Additionally, achieving high quality scores from CMS for improving upon certain clinical and operational performance standards will impact future quality bonuses. The impact of CMS quality bonus payments may further offset these anticipated rate reductions beginning in 2012. We also may be able to mitigate the effects of reduced funding on margins by increasing enrollment due to the anticipated increase in the number of people eligible for Medicare in coming years. Longer term, market wide decreases in the availability or relative quality of Medicare Advantage products may increase demand for other senior health benefits products such as our Medicare Part D and Medicare Supplement insurance offerings.

The Health Reform Legislation includes a “maintenance of effort” (MOE) provision that requires states to maintain their eligibility rules for people covered by Medicaid, until the Secretary of HHS determines that an insurance exchange is operational in a given state. The MOE provision is intended to prevent states from reducing eligibility standards and determination procedures as a way to remove adults above 133 percent of the federal poverty level from Medicaid before implementation of expanded Medicaid coverage effective in January 2014. However, states with, or projecting, a budget deficit may apply for an exception to the MOE provision. If states are successful in obtaining MOE waivers and allow certain Medicaid programs to expire, we could experience reduced Medicaid enrollment.

The Health Reform Legislation presents additional opportunities and challenges over the longer term, including the annual $8 billion insurance industry assessment beginning in 2014, the operation of state-based exchanges for individuals and small businesses beginning in 2014, and numerous other commercial and governmental plan requirements. Individual states may also accelerate their procurement of Medicaid managed care services for sizeable groups of Medicaid program beneficiaries in order to even their administrative workloads when Medicaid market expansions take place in 2014. The law could increase near-term business growth opportunities for UnitedHealthcare Community & State. Due to the complexity of the health care system, the numerous changes that are taking place and the fact that many important regulations have not yet been written, the longer term

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effects of the new legislation, positive and negative, remain difficult to assess comprehensively.

Court proceedings related to the Health Reform Legislation continue to evolve. For example, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit upheld a finding that portions of the Health Reform Legislation were unconstitutional, and the parties have petitioned the United States Supreme Court to rule on the case. In contrast, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit dismissed other challenges on procedural grounds. Other federal district court judges have upheld the constitutionality of the individual mandate and the Health Reform Legislation. These court proceedings, and the potential for Congressional action to impede implementation, create additional uncertainties with respect to the law. For additional information regarding the Health Reform Legislation, see Item 1, “Business - Government Regulation” and Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in our 2010 10-K.

RESULTS SUMMARY



(in millions, except percentages and per share data)	Three Months Ended September 30,						Change					Nine Months Ended September 30,						Change
(in millions, except percentages and per share data)	2011			2010			2011 vs. 2010					2011			2010			2011 vs. 2010
Revenues:
Premiums	$	22,806		$	21,467		$	1,339		6	%	$	68,622		$	63,720		$	4,902		8	%
Services	1,637			1,469			168			11		4,891			4,246			645			15
Products	667			596			71			12		1,921			1,701			220			13
Investment and other income	170			136			34			25		512			458			54			12
Total revenues	25,280			23,668			1,612			7		75,946			70,125			5,821			8
Operating costs:
Medical costs	18,408			17,192			1,216			7		55,711			51,583			4,128			8
Operating costs	3,899			3,548			351			10		11,249			10,183			1,066			10
Cost of products sold	609			536			73			14		1,762			1,553			209			13
Depreciation and amortization	294			247			47			19		834			744			90			12
Total operating costs	23,210			21,523			1,687			8		69,556			64,063			5,493			9
Earnings from operations	2,070			2,145			(75		)	(3	)	6,390			6,062			328			5
Interest expense	(129		)	(119		)	10			8		(366		)	(363		)	3			1
Earnings before income taxes	1,941			2,026			(85		)	(4	)	6,024			5,699			325			6
Provision for income taxes	(670		)	(749		)	(79		)	(11	)	(2,140		)	(2,108		)	32			2
Net earnings	$	1,271		$	1,277		$	(6	)	—	%	$	3,884		$	3,591		$	293		8	%
Diluted net earnings per common share	$	1.17		$	1.14		$	0.03		3	%	$	3.56		$	3.15		$	0.41		13	%
Medical care ratio (a)	80.7		%	80.1		%	0.6		%			81.2		%	81.0		%	0.2		%
Operating cost ratio (b)	15.4			15.0			0.4					14.8			14.5			0.3
Operating margin	8.2			9.1			(0.9		)			8.4			8.6			(0.2		)
Tax rate	34.5			37.0			(2.5		)			35.5			37.0			(1.5		)
Net margin	5.0			5.4			(0.4		)			5.1			5.1			—
Return on equity (c)	18.4		%	20.3		%	(1.9		)%			19.2		%	19.5		%	(0.3		)%


(a)	Medical care ratio is calculated as medical costs divided by premium revenue.


(b)	Operating cost ratio is calculated as operating costs divided by total revenues.


(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 periods presented.

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2011 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS COMPARED TO 2010 RESULTS

Consolidated Financial Results

Revenues

The increases in revenues for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 were driven by strong organic growth in risk-based offerings in our UnitedHealthcare businesses and revenue growth across all Optum businesses.

Medical Costs

Medical costs for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 increased due to risk-based membership growth in our commercial and public and senior markets businesses and continued increases in the cost per service paid for health system use, and a modest increase in health system utilization.

For each period, our operating results include the effects of revisions in medical cost estimates related to prior periods. Changes in medical cost estimates related to prior periods, resulting from more complete claim information identified in the current period, are included in total medical costs reported for the current period. For the three months ended September 30, 2011, there was $90 million of net favorable medical cost development related to prior fiscal years and $110 million of net favorable medical cost development related to the first half of 2011. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, medical costs included $650 million of net favorable medical cost development related to prior fiscal years. The favorable development in 2011 was primarily driven by continued efficiencies in claims submission, handling and processing, which results in higher completion factors, and lower than expected health system utilization levels.

Operating Costs

The increase in our operating costs for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 was due to an increased mix of Optum service revenues, which have higher operating costs, partially offset by overall operating cost management.

Income Tax Rate

The effective income tax rates for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 decreased compared to the prior year periods due to favorable resolution of various tax matters in the current year as well as higher effective income tax rates in 2010. The 2010 effective income tax rates were at higher levels due to the cumulative implementation of changes under the Health Reform Legislation.

Reportable Segments

We have four reportable segments:


•	UnitedHealthcare, which includes UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual, UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement and UnitedHealthcare Community & State;


•	OptumHealth;


•	OptumInsight; and


•	OptumRx.

See Note 11 of Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of the types and services from which each of these reportable segments derives its revenues.

On January 1, 2011, we realigned certain of our businesses to respond to changes in the markets we serve. Prior period segment

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financial information has been recast to conform to the 2011 presentation. See Note 1 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on our business realignment. The following table presents reportable segment financial information:



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Change					Nine Months Ended September 30,						Change
(in millions, except percentages)	2011			2010			2011 vs. 2010					2011			2010			2011 vs. 2010
Revenues
UnitedHealthcare	$	23,643		$	22,283		$	1,360		6	%	$	71,170		$	66,205		$	4,965		7	%
OptumHealth	1,723			1,146			577			50		4,900			3,390			1,510			45
OptumInsight	625			592			33			6		1,954			1,626			328			20
OptumRx	4,874			4,168			706			17		14,194			12,452			1,742			14
Total Optum	7,222			5,906			1,316			22		21,048			17,468			3,580			20
Eliminations	(5,585		)	(4,521		)	(1,064		)	nm		(16,272		)	(13,548		)	(2,724		)	nm
Consolidated revenues	$	25,280		$	23,668		$	1,612		7	%	$	75,946		$	70,125		$	5,821		8	%
Earnings from operations
UnitedHealthcare	$	1,750		$	1,835		$	(85	)	(5	)%	$	5,408		$	5,091		$	317		6	%
OptumHealth	115			103			12			12		359			388			(29		)	(7	)
OptumInsight	91			70			21			30		261			183			78			43
OptumRx	114			137			(23		)	(17	)	362			400			(38		)	(10	)
Total Optum	320			310			10			3		982			971			11			1
Consolidated earnings from operations	$	2,070		$	2,145		$	(75	)	(3	)%	$	6,390		$	6,062		$	328		5	%
Operating margin
UnitedHealthcare	7.4		%	8.2		%	(0.8		)%			7.6		%	7.7		%	(0.1		)%
OptumHealth	6.7			9.0			(2.3		)			7.3			11.4			(4.1		)
OptumInsight	14.6			11.8			2.8					13.4			11.3			2.1
OptumRx	2.3			3.3			(1.0		)			2.6			3.2			(0.6		)
Total Optum	4.4			5.2			(0.8		)			4.7			5.6			(0.9		)
Consolidated operating margin	8.2		%	9.1		%	(0.9		)%			8.4		%	8.6		%	(0.2		)%

nm = not meaningful

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The following table summarizes the number of individuals served by our UnitedHealthcare businesses, by major market segment and funding arrangement:



	September 30,		Change
(in thousands, except percentages)	2011	2010	2011 vs. 2010
Commercial risk-based	9,545	9,330	215	2	%
Commercial fee-based	16,255	15,370	885	6
Total commercial	25,800	24,700	1,100	4
Medicare Advantage	2,215	2,060	155	8
Medicaid	3,485	3,235	250	8
Medicare Supplement	2,895	2,750	145	5
Total public and senior	8,595	8,045	550	7
Total UnitedHealthcare - medical	34,395	32,745	1,650	5	%
Supplemental Data:
Medicare Part D stand-alone	4,830	4,525	305	7	%

UnitedHealthcare

UnitedHealthcare's revenue growth for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 was due to growth in the number of individuals served across our businesses and commercial premium rate increases reflecting expected underlying medical cost trends. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 revenues were $11.4 billion and $33.8 billion for UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual; $8.8 billion and $27.2 billion for UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement; and $3.5 billion and $10.1 billion for UnitedHealthcare Community & State, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 revenues were $10.8 billion and $31.6 billion for UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual; $8.4 billion and $25.7 billion for UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement; and $3.2 billion and $8.8 billion for UnitedHealthcare Community & State, respectively.

UnitedHealthcare earnings from operations for the three months ended September 30, 2011 decreased slightly compared to the prior year primarily due to the initiation of premium rebate obligations in 2011, low premium rate increases in state Medicaid programs managed by UnitedHealthcare's Community & State business, and lower favorable reserve development levels which were partially offset by the revenue growth described above. For the nine month period ended September 30, 2011, UnitedHealthcare earnings from operations increased over the prior year due to revenue growth and continued overall cost management disciplines.

Optum. Our Optum health services platform is comprised of OptumHealth, OptumInsight and OptumRx. Total revenue for these businesses increased due to business growth and acquisitions at OptumHealth and OptumInsight and growth in customers served through pharmaceutical benefit management programs at OptumRx.

Optum’s earnings from operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 were essentially flat compared to 2010. The decrease in the operating margin was due to changes in business mix within Optum’s businesses and internal business, contract and service arrangement realignments.

The results by segment were as follows:

OptumHealth

Increased revenues at OptumHealth for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 were primarily due to expansions in service offerings through acquisitions in clinical services, as well as organic growth in consumer and population health management offerings.

Earnings from operations for the three months ended September 30, 2011 increased while the operating margin decreased as overall business expansion and growth offset the impact from internal business, contract and service arrangement realignments. For the nine month period however, earnings from operations as well as operating margin decreased compared to the prior year as the increased revenues did not fully offset the impact from the realignments discussed previously.

OptumInsight

Increased revenues at OptumInsight for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 were due to the impact of 2010 acquisitions and organic growth which were partially offset by the divestiture of the clinical trials services business.

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The increases in earnings from operations and operating margins for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 reflect an increased mix of higher margin services.

OptumRx

The increase in OptumRx revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 was due to increased prescription volumes, primarily due to growth in customers served through Medicare Part D prescription drug plans by our UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement business, and a favorable mix of higher revenue specialty drug prescriptions. Intersegment revenues eliminated in consolidation were $4.2 billion and $12.3 billion for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively. Intersegment revenues eliminated in consolidation were $3.6 billion and $10.8 billion for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively.

OptumRx earnings from operations and operating margins for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 decreased as the mix of lower margin specialty pharmaceuticals and Medicaid business and investments in operating costs to support growth initiatives more than offset the earnings contribution from higher revenues and greater use of generic medications.

LIQUIDITY, FINANCIAL CONDITION AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Liquidity

Introduction

We manage our liquidity and financial position in the context of our overall business strategy. We continually forecast and manage our cash, investments, working capital balances and capital structure to meet the short- and long-term obligations of our businesses while maintaining liquidity and financial flexibility. Cash flows generated from operating activities are principally from earnings before non-cash expenses. The risk of decreased operating cash flow from a decline in earnings is partially mitigated by the diversity of our businesses, geographies and customers; our disciplined underwriting and pricing processes for our risk-based businesses; and continued productivity improvements in our operating costs.

Our regulated subsidiaries generate significant cash flows from operations. A majority of the assets held by our regulated subsidiaries are in the form of cash, cash equivalents and investments. After considering expected cash flows from operating activities, we generally invest cash of regulated subsidiaries that exceeds our expected short-term obligations in longer term, liquid, investment-grade, debt securities to improve our overall investment return. We make these investments pursuant to our Board of Directors’ approved investment policy, which focuses on preservation of capital, credit quality, diversification, income and duration. The policy also governs return objectives, regulatory limitations, tax implications and other risk tolerances.

Our regulated subsidiaries are subject to financial regulations and standards in their respective states of domicile. Most of these regulations and standards conform to those established by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. These standards, among other things, require these subsidiaries to maintain specified levels of statutory capital, as defined by each state, and restrict the timing and amount of dividends and other distributions that may be paid to their parent companies. Except in the case of extraordinary dividends, these standards generally permit dividends to be paid from statutory unassigned surplus of the regulated subsidiary and are limited based on the regulated subsidiary’s level of statutory net income and statutory capital and surplus. These dividends are referred to as “ordinary dividends” and generally can be paid without prior regulatory approval. If the dividend, together with other dividends paid within the preceding twelve months, exceeds a specified statutory limit or is paid from sources other than earned surplus, the entire dividend is generally considered an “extraordinary dividend” and must receive prior regulatory approval.

In 2011, based on the 2010 statutory net income and statutory capital and surplus levels, the maximum amount of ordinary dividends which can be paid is $3.4 billion. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, as scheduled, our regulated subsidiaries paid their parent companies dividends of $2.6 billion, including $300 million of extraordinary dividends. For the year ended December 31, 2010, our regulated subsidiaries paid their parent companies dividends of $3.2 billion, including $686 million of extraordinary dividends.

Our non-regulated businesses also generate cash flows from operations for general corporate use. Cash flows generated by these entities, combined with dividends from our regulated entities and financing through the issuance of commercial paper and long-term debt, as well as the availability of our committed credit facility, further strengthen our operating and financial flexibility. We generally use these cash flows to expand our businesses through acquisitions, reinvest in our businesses through capital expenditures, repay debt, or return capital to our shareholders through shareholder dividends and/or repurchases of our common stock, depending on market conditions.

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Summary of Sources and Uses of Cash



	Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)	2011			2010
Sources of cash:
Cash provided by operating activities	$	7,383		$	4,832
Sales of investments	2,986			1,927
Maturities of investments	2,974			2,236
Proceeds from customer funds administered	1,656			1,014
Proceeds from issuance of commercial paper, net	820			1,131
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	747			—
Other	497			193
Total sources of cash	17,063			11,333
Uses of cash:
Purchases of investments	(6,984		)	(5,177		)
Common stock repurchases	(2,094		)	(1,892		)
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash assumed and dispositions	(1,093		)	(2,072		)
Repayments of long-term debt	(955		)	(1,333		)
Purchases of property, equipment and capitalized software	(806		)	(548		)
Dividends paid	(481		)	(313		)
Checks Outstanding	(94		)	(221		)
Total uses of cash	(12,507		)	(11,556		)
Net increase (decrease) in cash	$	4,556		$	(223	)

2011 Cash Flows Compared to 2010 Cash Flows

Cash flows from operating activities increased $2.6 billion, or 53%, from the same period last year. The increased cash was primarily driven by an increase in unearned premiums due to the early receipt of the October CMS payment of approximately$2.3 billion and growth in net earnings and related income tax accruals. See Note 4 of Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further detail on the October CMS payment.

Cash flows used for investing activities decreased $711 million, or 20%, primarily due to relatively lower investments in acquisitions in 2011.

Cash flows from financing activities changed to an inflow of $96 million from a $1.4 billion outflow primarily due to proceeds from the net issuance of long-term debt and commercial paper and an increase in customer funds administered related to payables associated with CMS subsidies including the early receipt of the October CMS subsidy and drug discount payment of approximately $650 million.

Financial Condition

As of September 30, 2011, our cash, cash equivalent and available-for-sale investment balances of $31.6 billion included $13.7 billion of cash and cash equivalents (of which $1.3 billion was held by non-regulated entities), $17.4 billion of debt securities and $520 million of investments in equity securities and venture capital funds. 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 liquidity or capital position. The use of different market assumptions or valuation methodologies, primarily used in valuing our Level 3 securities (those securities priced using unobservable inputs which are significant), may have an effect on the estimated fair value amounts of our investments. Due to the subjective nature of these assumptions, the estimates may not be indicative of the actual exit price if we had sold the investment at the measurement date. Other sources of liquidity, primarily from operating cash flows and our commercial paper program, which is supported by our $2.5 billion bank credit facility, reduce the need to sell investments during adverse market conditions. See Note 3 of Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further detail of our fair value measurements.

Our cash equivalent and investment portfolio has a weighted-average duration of 1.8 years and a weighted-average credit rating of “AA” as of September 30, 2011. Included in the debt securities balance are $2.5 billion of state and municipal obligations that are guaranteed by a number of third parties. We do not have any significant exposure to any single guarantor (neither

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indirect through the guarantees, nor direct through investment in the guarantor). Further, due to the high underlying credit rating of the issuers, the weighted-average credit rating of these securities both with and without the guarantee is “AA” as of September 30, 2011.

Capital Resources and Uses of Liquidity

In addition to cash flow 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. We maintain a commercial paper borrowing program, which facilitates the private placement of unsecured debt through third-party broker-dealers. The commercial paper program is supported by the $2.5 billion bank credit facility described below. As of September 30, 2011, we had $1.8 billion of commercial paper outstanding with a weighted-average annual interest rate of 0.4%.

Bank Credit Facility. We have a $2.5 billion five-year revolving bank credit facility with 23 banks, which expires in May 2012. This facility supports our commercial paper program and is available for general corporate purposes. There were no amounts outstanding under this facility during the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The interest rate on borrowings is variable based on term and amount and is calculated based on the LIBOR plus a credit spread based on our senior unsecured credit ratings. As of September 30, 2011, the annual interest rate on this facility, had it been drawn, would have ranged from 0.4% to 0.8%.

Our bank credit facility contains various covenants, including requiring us to maintain a debt-to-total-capital ratio below 50%. Our debt-to-total-capital ratio, calculated as the sum of debt divided by the sum of debt and shareholders’ equity, was 30.0% and 30.1% as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. We were in compliance with our debt covenants as of September 30, 2011.

Shelf Registration. In February 2011, we filed an automatically effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC registering an unspecified amount of debt securities.

Debt Issuance. In February 2011, we issued $750 million in senior unsecured notes. The issuance included $400 million of 4.7% fixed-rate notes due February 2021 and $350 million of 5.95% fixed-rate notes due February 2041.

Credit Ratings. Our credit ratings at September 30, 2011 were as follows:

Moody’s

Standard & Poor’s

Fitch

A.M. Best

Ratings

Outlook

Ratings

Outlook

Ratings

Outlook

Ratings

Outlook

Senior unsecured debt

Stable

A-

Positive

A-

Stable

bbb+

Stable

Commercial paper

P-2

n/a

A-2

n/a

AMB-2

n/a

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 conditions in the capital markets may increase the cost of borrowing for us or limit our access to capital. We have therefore adopted strategies and actions toward maintaining financial flexibility to mitigate the impact of such factors on our ability to raise capital.

Share Repurchases. Under our Board of Directors’ authorization, we maintain a common share repurchase program. Repurchases may be made from time to time at prevailing prices in the open market, subject to certain preset parameters. In May 2011, our Board renewed our share repurchase program with an authorization to repurchase up to 110 million shares of our common stock. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, we repurchased 46 million shares at an average price of approximately $46 per share and an aggregate cost of $2.1 billion. As of September 30, 2011, we had Board authorization to purchase up to an additional 84 million shares of our common stock.

Dividends. In May 2011, our Board of Directors increased our cash dividend to shareholders to an annual dividend rate of $0.65 per share, paid quarterly. Since June 2010, we had paid a quarterly dividend of $0.125 per share. 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.

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The following table provides details of our dividend payments in 2011:



Payment Date	Amount per Share		Total Amount Paid
			(in millions)
3/21/2011	$	0.1250	$	135
6/21/2011	0.1625		174
9/21/2011	0.1625		172

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMITMENTS

A summary of future obligations under our various contractual obligations and commitments as of December 31, 2010 was disclosed in our 2010 10-K. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, other than the debt issuance, there were no material changes to this previously-filed information outside the ordinary course of business. However, we continually evaluate opportunities to expand our operations, including internal development of new products, programs and technology applications and acquisitions.

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

In July 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-06. This update addresses the recognition and classification of an entity’s share of the annual health insurance industry assessment (the “fee”) mandated by the Health Reform Legislation. The fee will be levied on health insurers for each calendar year beginning on or after January 1, 2014 and is not deductible for income tax purposes. For reporting entities subject to the fee, the amendments in ASU 2011-06 specify that the liability for the fee should be estimated and recorded in full once the entity provides qualifying health insurance in the applicable calendar year in which the fee is payable with a corresponding deferred cost that is amortized to expense using a straight-line method of allocation unless another method better allocates the fee over the calendar year that it is payable.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-08. This update intends to simplify how entities test goodwill for impairment by including an option for entities to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test on the subject reporting unit. The amendments in ASU 2011-08 will be effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for our fiscal year 2012. Early adoption is permitted, including for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed as of a date before the issuance of the amendments, if an entity’s financial statements for the most recent annual or interim period have not yet been issued. The adoption of ASU 2011-08 is not expected to have a material impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

We have determined that there have been no other recently issued accounting standards that will have a material impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

We prepared our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP. In preparing these 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 trends and factor in known and projected trends. On an on-going 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, revenues, goodwill and intangible assets, investments, income taxes and contingent liabilities. For a detailed description of our critical accounting estimates, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II of our 2010 10-K. As of September 30, 2011, our critical accounting policies have not changed from those described in our 2010 10-K. For a detailed discussion of our significant accounting policies, see Note 2 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2010 10-K.

CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK

Investments in financial instruments such as marketable securities and accounts receivable may subject us to concentrations of credit risk. Our investments in marketable securities are managed under an investment policy authorized by our Board of Directors. This policy limits the amounts that may be invested in any one issuer and generally limits our investments to U.S. government and agency securities, state and municipal securities and corporate debt obligations that are investment grade.

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Concentrations of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable are limited due to the large number of employer groups that constitute our customer base. As of September 30, 2011, we had an aggregate $1.9 billion reinsurance receivable resulting from the sale of our Golden Rule Financial Corporation life and annuity business in 2005. We regularly evaluate the financial condition of the reinsurer and only record the reinsurance receivable to the extent that the amounts are deemed probable of recovery. Currently, the reinsurer is rated by A.M. Best as “A+.” As of September 30, 2011, there were no other significant concentrations of credit risk.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The statements, estimates, projections, guidance or outlook contained in this report include “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA). These statements are intended to take advantage of the “safe harbor” provisions of the PSLRA. Generally the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “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 results to differ materially from 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; the potential impact that new laws or regulations, or changes in existing laws or regulations, or their enforcement or application could have on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows, including as a result of increases in medical, administrative, technology or other costs resulting from federal and state regulations affecting the health care industry; the impact of any potential assessments for insolvent payers under state guaranty fund laws; the ultimate impact of the Health Reform Legislation, which could materially adversely affect our financial position and results of operations through reduced revenues, increased costs, new taxes and expanded liability, or require changes to the ways in which we conduct business or put us at risk for loss of business; uncertainties regarding changes in Medicare, including potential changes in risk adjustment data validation audit and payment adjustment methodology; potential reductions in revenue received from Medicare and Medicaid programs; failure to comply with restrictions on patient privacy and data security regulations; regulatory and other risks and uncertainties associated with the pharmacy benefits management industry; competitive pressures, which could affect our ability to maintain or increase our market share; the potential impact of adverse economic conditions on our revenues (including decreases in enrollment resulting from increases in the unemployment rate and commercial attrition) and results of operations; our ability to execute contracts on competitive terms with physicians, hospitals and other service professionals; our ability to attract, retain and provide support to a network of independent third party brokers, consultants and agents; events that may negatively affect our contracts with AARP; increases in costs and other liabilities associated with increased litigation, government investigations, audits or reviews; the performance of our investment portfolio; possible impairment of the value of our intangible assets in connection with dispositions or if future results do not adequately support goodwill and intangible assets recorded for our existing businesses or the businesses that we acquire; increases in health care costs resulting from large-scale medical emergencies; failure to maintain effective and efficient information systems or if our technology products do not operate as intended; misappropriation of our proprietary technology; our ability to obtain sufficient funds from our regulated subsidiaries to fund our obligations; the potential impact of our future cash and capital requirements on our ability to maintain our quarterly dividend payment cycle; failure to complete or receive anticipated benefits of acquisitions; potential downgrades in our credit ratings; and failure to achieve targeted operating cost productivity improvements, including savings resulting from technology enhancement and administrative modernization.

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 2010 10-K. Any or all forward-looking statements we make may turn out to be wrong. They 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 in this report 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.


ITEM 3.	QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Our primary market risks are exposures to (a) changes in interest rates that impact our investment income and interest expense and the fair value of certain of our fixed-rate financial investments and debt and (b) changes in equity prices that impact the value of our equity investments.

As of September 30, 2011, $13.7 billion of our financial investments was classified as cash and cash equivalents on which

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interest rates received vary with market interest rates, which may materially impact our investment income. Also, $3.1 billion of our debt and deposit liabilities as of September 30, 2011 were at interest rates that vary with market rates.

The fair value of certain of our fixed-rate financial investments and debt also varies with market interest rates. As of September 30, 2011, $17.6 billion of our investments was fixed-rate debt securities and $10.2 billion of our debt was fixed-rate term debt. An increase in market interest rates decreases the market value of fixed-rate investments and fixed-rate debt. Conversely, a decrease in market interest rates increases the market value of fixed-rate investments and fixed-rate debt.

We manage exposure to market interest rates by diversifying investments across different fixed income market sectors and debt across maturities, as well as endeavoring to match our floating-rate assets and liabilities over time, either directly or periodically through the use of interest rate swap contracts. In August 2011, we terminated all but one of our interest rate swap fair value hedges with a $5.3 billion notional amount in order to lock-in the impact of low market floating interest rates and reduce the effective interest rate on hedged long-term debt. This gain will be realized over the remaining life of the applicable hedged fixed-rate debt as a reduction to interest expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Additional information on our interest rate swaps is included in Note 7 of Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the impact of hypothetical changes in market interest rates across the entire yield curve by 1% or 2% as of September 30, 2011 on our investment income and interest expense per annum, and the fair value of our financial investments and debt (in millions):



Increase (Decrease) in Market Interest Rate	Investment Income Per Annum (a)			Interest Expense Per Annum (a)			Fair Value of Financial Investments			Fair Value of Debt
2 %	$	284		$	61		$	(1,193	)	$	(1,608	)
1	142			31			(599		)	(882		)
(1)	(16		)	(7		)	554			930
(2)	nm			nm			859			1,998

nm = not meaningful


(a)	Given the low absolute level of short-term market rates on our floating-rate assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2011, the assumed hypothetical change in interest rates does not reflect the full 1% point reduction in interest income or interest expense as the rate cannot fall below zero.

As of September 30, 2011, we had $520 million of investments in equity securities and venture capital funds, a portion of which were invested in various public and non-public companies concentrated in the areas of health care delivery and related information technologies. Market conditions that affect the value of health care or technology stocks will likewise impact the value of our equity investments.


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 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, 2011. 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, 2011.

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, 2011 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 12 of the 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 2010 10-K, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in our 2010 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 operating results.

There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in our 2010 10-K.


ITEM 2.	UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities (a)

Third Quarter 2011



For the Month Ended	Total Number of Shares Purchased		Average Price Paid per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs	Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under The Plans or Programs
July 31, 2011	4,683,282	(b)	$	51.70	4,676,367	96,790,344
August 31, 2011	7,298,500		$	44.92	7,298,500	89,491,844
September 30, 2011	5,646,838		$	47.71	5,646,838	83,845,006
Total	17,628,620		$	47.62	17,621,705

(a)

In November 1997, our Board of Directors adopted a share repurchase program, which the Board evaluates periodically. In May 2011, the Board renewed our share repurchase program with an authorization to repurchase up to 110 million shares of our common stock at prevailing market prices. There is no established expiration date for the program. As of September 30, 2011, we had Board authorization to purchase up to an additional 84 million shares of our common stock.


(b)	Represents 4,676,367 shares of our common stock repurchased during the period and 6,915 shares of our common stock withheld by us, as permitted by the applicable equity award certificates, to satisfy tax withholding obligations upon vesting of shares of restricted stock.

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ITEM 6.	EXHIBITS**

The following exhibits are filed in response to Item 601 of Regulation S-K.



3.1			Third Restated Articles of Incorporation of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 29, 2007)
3.2			Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 23, 2009)
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)
4.2			Amendment, dated as of November 6, 2000, to Senior Indenture, dated as of November 15, 1998, between the UnitedHealth Group Incorporated and The Bank of New York (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2001)
4.3			Instrument of Resignation, Appointment and Acceptance of Trustee, dated January 8, 2007, pursuant to the Senior Indenture, dated November 15, 1998, amended November 6, 2000, among UnitedHealth Group Incorporated, The Bank of New York and Wilmington Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007)
4.4			Indenture, dated as of February 4, 2008, between UnitedHealth Group Incorporated and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3, SEC File Number 333-149031, filed on February 4, 2008)
*10.1			Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of August 8, 2011, between United HealthCare Services, Inc. and Gail K. Boudreaux
*10.2			Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of October 25, 2011, between United HealthCare Services, Inc. and Larry C. Renfro
*10.3			Separation and Release Agreement, effective as of July 5, 2011, between United HealthCare Services, Inc. and George L. Mikan III
12.1			Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
31.1			Certifications pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1			Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101			The following materials from UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2011, filed on November 4, 2011, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (v) 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.

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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/ STEPHEN J. HEMSLEY	President and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer)	Dated:	November 4, 2011
Stephen J. Hemsley

/s/ DAVID S. WICHMANN	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of UnitedHealth Group and President of UnitedHealth Group Operations (principal financial officer)	Dated:	November 4, 2011
David S. Wichmann

/S/ ERIC S. RANGEN	Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer (principal accounting officer)	Dated:	November 4, 2011
Eric S. Rangen

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EXHIBIT INDEX**



3.1			Third Restated Articles of Incorporation of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 29, 2007)
3.2			Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 23, 2009)
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)
4.2			Amendment, dated as of November 6, 2000, to Senior Indenture, dated as of November 15, 1998, between the UnitedHealth Group Incorporated and The Bank of New York (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2001)
4.3			Instrument of Resignation, Appointment and Acceptance of Trustee, dated January 8, 2007, pursuant to the Senior Indenture, dated November 15, 1998, amended November 6, 2000, among UnitedHealth Group Incorporated, The Bank of New York and Wilmington Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007)
4.4			Indenture, dated as of February 4, 2008, between UnitedHealth Group Incorporated and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3, SEC File Number 333-149031, filed on February 4, 2008)
*10.1			Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of August 8, 2011, between United HealthCare Services, Inc. and Gail K. Boudreaux
*10.2			Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of October 25, 2011, between United HealthCare Services, Inc. and Larry C. Renfro
*10.3			Separation and Release Agreement, effective as of July 5, 2011, between United HealthCare Services, Inc. and George L. Mikan III
12.1			Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
31.1			Certifications pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1			Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101			The following materials from UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2011, filed on November 4, 2011, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (v) 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.

UnitedHealth - 10-Q quarterly report FY2011 Q3

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