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UnitedHealth

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FY2013 Annual Report · UnitedHealth
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2013 Annual Report

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“ UnitedHealth Group’s capabilities continue to grow 

to serve and enable a more effective, modern health care 

system, and to respond to a national imperative to improve 

the performance of health care and reduce its costs.”

 –Steve Hemsley, President and CEO, UnitedHealth Group

UnitedHealth Group is the largest, most diversifi ed health care enterprise in 

the United States. We serve more than 85 million individuals worldwide. Our 

complementary business platforms, UnitedHealthcare for health benefi ts, and 

Optum for health services, share three core competencies: experience and 

resources in clinical care; data and information; and empowering technology.  

Table of Contents

 02  Performance Highlights

 03  Letter to Shareholders

 04  UnitedHealth Group

 06  UnitedHealthcare

 08  Optum

 10   Delivering Value

Dedicated to innovation, service and trustworthy execution, UnitedHealthcare 

 11  Our Culture and Mission

and Optum are improving health system performance, helping people live 

healthier lives and providing distinctive returns to shareholders.

 12  Our Leadership

 13   Form 10-K

   Investor Information  
  (inside back cover)

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP 

1

 
 
 
In everything we do, 
we value integrity, 
compassion, respect 
for individuals and 
relationships, innovation 
and accountable 
performance.

Performance 
Highlights

Consolidated Financial Results

Revenues (in millions)

$110,618

$122,489

2012 

2013

Net Earnings*(in millions)

$5,526

$5,625

2012 

2013

Net Earnings Per Share*

$5.28

$5.50

2012 

2013

* Amounts attributable to UnitedHealth Group 

common shareholders.

$14.7B

returned to shareholders 
over the past four years

We have returned $14.7 billion to shareholders 
over the past four years through dividends and 
share repurchases — this is more than 50 percent 
of cash fl ows from operations. Our dividend rate 
has grown by a compound rate of 29 percent 
over the same period, and share repurchase 
activity has been strong and consistent.

2

To our shareholders:

As we send this annual report to you, 2013 and our many 

We expect to grow, strengthen and further diversify to 

accomplishments that year seem well in the past. Today, 

meet the changing needs of consumers, care providers and 

health care markets in the United States remain active and 

benefi ts sponsors, and continue to evolve and adapt to 

continue to evolve as new policies and regulations and 

the opportunities we see for the future. As we have done 

the long-standing pressures on the health care system are 

throughout our history, we will bring to bear the power 

meeting market realities. This is the beginning of an era of 

of information, clinical insight and enabling technology 

change and adjustment in which we will need to keep the 

to increase the value we are delivering in new and more 

ultimate goal clearly in all our minds — an improved health 

modern ways across more vibrant and effective health care 

care system where our health care resources are better 

markets, better serving more people.

deployed and accessed . . . delivered to more Americans 

at lower costs, to them and to our society.  

What will not change will be our dedication to our mission:  

to help people live healthier lives and to help make the 

We are seeing similar dynamics as we deepen our 

health system work better for everyone. We will continue 

engagement in countries outside the United States: the 

to embrace a culture of integrity, compassion, innovation, 

desire by governments, payers and providers to make 

relationships and accountable performance, all anchored 

more effi cient and consistent use of resources and respond 

by fundamental execution disciplines and service to others.  

more effectively to the growing needs of their people.

And we remain steadfast in the fi scal responsibilities and 

The employees of UnitedHealthcare, Optum and 

UnitedHealth Group have never been more engaged in 

disciplines that sustain our enterprise and provide an 

appropriate return for the capital you entrust to us.

these essential efforts. Working together in 2013, they 

Thank you.

meaningfully advanced the performance capabilities of this 

enterprise and delivered real value to those we are privileged 

Sincerely,

Steve Hemsley

President and Chief Executive Offi cer

to serve. As a consequence, our enterprise continued to 

grow and diversify. The consistency of our employees’ 

commitment to performance and service translates into 

measurable improvements that have a positive impact 

on people’s health and in their lives. We thank them for 

their remarkable efforts on behalf of those we serve and 

those of you who invest in this enterprise.

The culture and capabilities of our enterprise are powerfully 

aligned with our mission — striving for a better health care 

environment that better serves at both the individual and 

national level. We see more change and further challenges 

continuing over the next few years as new social policies and 

higher expectations for better quality and more affordable 

care settle into the health care economy. We are well 

deployed across the health system and participating in 

many aspects of these changing market dynamics. 

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP 

3

 
Advancing health care 
in an evolving market

UnitedHealth Group continues to meet the shifting demands of an evolving health care 

environment through broad diversifi cation, a highly adaptable business model and an 

intense focus on innovation.

The U.S. marketplace for health benefi ts is in fl ux. Millions more people are gaining 

access to health care — through public and private exchanges as individual consumers, 

through Medicaid and government-sponsored programs for the military and federal 

and state employees, and through an accelerating expansion of Medicare as the 

population ages.

Growing access to health benefi ts in turn exerts pressure downstream on health 

care delivery and the market for health services — clinical and cost management, 

payment models and transactions, improvements in information sharing and 

advanced technology, and increasing demand for better quality and affordability.

Our health benefi ts platform, UnitedHealthcare, is well-positioned to serve virtually every 

market for health benefi ts. We combine deep experience in local market dynamics, a 

wide array of choice in plans and price points, and the national scale to help customers 

and the people we serve better navigate a complex health care system.

Optum, our health services platform, is dedicated to engaging consumers, aligning care 

delivery to improve quality and reduce costs, and modernizing the infrastructure and 

technology of the health care system itself. 

Working separately and together, Optum and UnitedHealthcare are helping create 

a brighter future for health care in America and around the world.

4

The U.S. marketplace for health 
benefi ts is in fl ux. Millions more 
people are gaining access to 
health care.

85M

We serve more than 85 million 
individuals worldwide. 

UnitedHealthcare and Optum serve members 
in all 50 states in the United States and in 
more than 125 other countries.

$160B

In 2013, we managed more than 
$160 billion in aggregate health care 
spending on behalf of the constituents 
and consumers we served.

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP 

5

 
Helping people live healthier lives

UnitedHealthcare is the fastest growing health benefi ts provider in the industry, today serving more 

than 45 million people domestically and internationally by offering consumers and customers an 

unparalleled array of health products and services. 

UnitedHealthcare aligns modern benefi t designs with strong consumer engagement, empowerment, 

tools, programs and incentives. Targeted clinical management and wellness programs channel care 

through a focused set of care provider networks with proven performance capability and higher 

levels of care provider fi nancial incentives for quality outcomes and patient satisfaction.

UnitedHealthcare’s approach drives differentiated value to the market, enables us to thrive amid 

market change and positions us well for the future.

UnitedHealthcare Community & State supports 24 states and the District of Columbia in serving 

benefi ciaries of acute and long-term care Medicaid plans, the Children’s Health Insurance Program 

(CHIP), Special Needs Plans, and other federal and state health care programs that care for the 

economically disadvantaged and the medically underserved.

UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual offers a comprehensive array of consumer-oriented 

health benefi t plans and services for large national employers, public sector employers, midsized 

employers, small businesses and individuals nationwide.

UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement is dedicated to serving the growing health and well-

being needs of individuals over the age of 50. It is the market leader in Medicare Advantage health 

benefi t products, and under a longstanding relationship with AARP, the largest provider of Medicare 

supplement plans, as well as the nation’s largest provider of Medicare Part D prescription drug plans.

UnitedHealthcare Military & Veterans serves the health care needs of approximately 3 million 

active duty and retired U.S. military personnel and their families in the TRICARE West Region, 

providing access to cost-effective, quality, innovative care.

UnitedHealthcare International serves nearly 5 million people with medical benefi ts through Amil, 

the largest health care company in Brazil. In addition, this business offers a broad range of tools and 

techniques to improve the effi ciency and quality of health care delivery systems in a variety of settings 

worldwide. Clients include multi-national and local businesses, governments, non-U.S. health insurers 

and travel insurers, reinsurers, and individuals and their families.

6

$65B

$28B

2013

2018E

Performance-Based Care

$28 billion of UnitedHealthcare’s annual 
physician and hospital reimbursements are 
tied to accountable care programs, centers 
of excellence and performance-based 
programs. UnitedHealthcare projects this 
will reach $65 billion by 2018.

4.5M

Additional People Served

UnitedHealthcare grew to serve more than 
4.5 million additional people in 2013 —
entirely through organic growth. This 
business has grown by more than 13 million 
people over the past four years.

820,000

Contracted Physicians

UnitedHealthcare contracts directly 
with more than 820,000 physicians 
and care professionals, and 
approximately 6,000 hospitals 
and other care facilities nationwide. 

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP 

7

UnitedHealthcare aligns modern 
benefi t designs with strong 
consumer engagement, 
empowerment, tools, 
programs and incentives.

 
Helping make the health system 
work better for everyone

Optum provides broad health services capabilities that improve the delivery, quality and 

cost-effectiveness of health care. This business combines deep experience in clinical care 

and population health management, administration and health care transactions and 

information and analytics, to engage consumers, align care delivery and modernize the 

infrastructure of the health system overall. Today, Optum works with physicians, hospitals, 

employers, insurers, government agencies and individuals. Increasingly, Optum is delivering 

larger, deeper and much more comprehensive solutions to its customers across the industry. 

OptumHealth serves the physical, emotional and fi nancial needs of more than 62 million 

individuals, enabling consumer health management and collaborative care delivery through 

programs offered by employers, payers, government agencies and, increasingly, directly 

with the care delivery system. OptumHealth’s solutions reduce costs for customers, improve 

workforce productivity and consumer satisfaction, and optimize the overall health and 

well-being of populations.

OptumInsight is a health information, technology, services and consulting company, 

providing software and information products, advisory consulting services, and business 

process outsourcing to participants in the health care industry. Hospitals, physicians, 

commercial health plans, government agencies, life sciences companies and other 

organizations that comprise the health care system work with OptumInsight to reduce 

costs, meet compliance mandates, improve clinical performance and adapt to the 

changing health system landscape.

OptumRx provides pharmacy benefi t management (PBM) services for nearly 28 million 

people nationwide. This business annually processes more than 500 million adjusted 

retail, mail and specialty drug prescriptions. OptumRx is dedicated to helping people 

achieve optimal health while maximizing cost savings. 

8

Increasingly, Optum is delivering 
larger, deeper and much more 
comprehensive solutions to its 
customers across the industry.

A New Venture

A new venture, Optum360, was launched in 
partnership with Dignity Health to simplify 
billing and increase cost transparency for 
patients, and modernize administration for 
hospitals, care providers and payers.

12M 

OptumRx Transition

OptumRx completed the largest pharmacy 
benefi ts management transition in 
history, successfully insourcing 12 million 
new or migrating UnitedHealthcare 
pharmacy customers. 

$2.3B

$1.3B

$1.4B

2011

2012

2013

Operating Earnings

Optum’s operating earnings of $2.3 billion 
grew 61 percent, or $875 million, over 2012, 
and are now up 84 percent over its 2011 
baseline year.  

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP 

9

 
Delivering value through 
execution, innovation and diversity

Our enterprise is committed to our mission of serving individuals and the health system itself. To meet today’s demands for better, 

more affordable, quality care, we know it takes high performance and innovation on our part, driven by employees who are as 

diverse in their backgrounds and perspectives as the people and communities we serve. During the last year, we were honored 

to be recognized for our work.

Rankings and Ratings

Product and Service Performance

Innovation

No. 1 in the insurance and managed 

OptumRx was honored by the International 

care sector on Fortune’s 2013 “World’s 

Customer Management Institute with a 

Most Admired Companies” list for the 

Global Call Center Award for the Best 

third straight year. No. 1 for Innovation 

Quality Assurance Program. 

for the fourth consecutive year. 

No. 17 on the Fortune 500 for 2013.

Member, Dow Jones Industrial 

Average since 2012. 

Listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability 

World Index and Dow Jones North 

The J.D. Power 2013 Vision Plan 

Satisfaction Report ranked UnitedHealthcare 

Vision highest in customer satisfaction. 

UnitedHealthcare was ranked No.1 in claims 

processing accuracy by the American 

Health Awards.

Medical Association’s 2013 National Health 

Baby Blocks healthy pregnancy 

Insurer Report Card.

America Index annually since 1999. 

Community Service

100 percent on the 2013 Human 

Rights Campaign Corporate Equality 

Index.

UnitedHealth Group was recognized as one 

of America’s most community-minded 

companies in the Civic 50 and ranked fi rst 

in the health care industry.

Project NOT ME SM diabetes 
prevention program received a 
Regional Emmy® Award from the 
National Academy of Television 

Arts and Sciences, was named 

an International CES Innovations 

2014 Design and Engineering Award 

Honoree and was recognized by Web 

program was awarded the Medicaid 

Health Plans of America 2013 Best 

Practice Award for Technology.

Health4Me, UnitedHealthcare’s mobile 

application, earned the 2013 eValue8 

Innovation award for addressing critical 

Received Best in Biz awards – Gold 

in Consumer Service for myClaims 

Manager; Silver in Consumer Products 

for Health4Me; and Bronze in Website 

Amil was recognized in 2013 as one of 

Second Harvest Heartland, one of the nation’s 

health care issues, and an Appy Award 

the top 100 Brazilian companies with 

largest food banks, recognized UnitedHealth 

for creativity and excellence in design.

the best reputations (Exame magazine), 

Group with a 2013 Hunger Hero award in 

one of the most valuable brands in 

the Volunteer category. 

Corporate Responsibility magazine ranked 

UnitedHealth Group in the top 10 for 

“Industry Sector Best Corporate Citizens.”

of the Year for UHC.TV. 

Workplace Leadership

Named a 2013 Diversity Leader by Profi les 

in Diversity Journal. 

Recognized as a Top 100 Military Friendly 

Employer by Victory Media, the publisher 

of G.I. Jobs and Military Spouse magazines.

Brazil (Isto É Dinheiro magazine) and 

one of the most admired companies 

in the country (Carta Capital magazine).

10

Our Culture

Our Mission

The people of this company are aligned around basic values that inspire our 

behavior as individuals and as an institution:

Integrity. We are dedicated to the highest levels of personal and institutional 

 Our mission is to help people 

live healthier lives and to help 

integrity. We make honest commitments and work to consistently honor 

make the health system work 

those commitments. We do not compromise ethics. We strive to deliver on 

 better for everyone.

our promises and we have the courage to acknowledge mistakes and do 

whatever is needed to address them.

Compassion. We try to walk in the shoes of the people we serve and the 

people we work with across the health care community. Our job is to listen 

with empathy and then respond appropriately and quickly with service and 

advocacy for each individual, each group or community and for society as 

a whole. We celebrate our role in serving people and society in an area so 

vitally human as their health.

Relationships. We build trust through cultivating relationships and working 

in productive collaboration with government, employers, physicians, nurses 

and other health care professionals, hospitals and the individual consumers 

(cid:127)  We seek to enhance the performance 

of the health system and improve the 

overall health and well-being of the 

people we serve and their communities. 

(cid:127)  We work with health care professionals 

and other key partners to expand access 

to quality health care so people get the 

care they need at an affordable price.

of health care. Trust is earned and preserved through truthfulness, integrity, 

(cid:127)  We support the physician/patient 

active engagement and collaboration with our colleagues and clients. We 

relationship and empower people with 

encourage the variety of thoughts and perspectives that refl ect the diversity 

the information, guidance and tools 

they need to make personal health 

choices and decisions.

of our markets, customers and workforce.

Innovation. We pursue a course of continuous, positive and practical 

innovation, using our deep experience in health care to be thoughtful 

advocates of change and to use the insights we gain to invent a better future 

that will make the health care environment work and serve everyone more 

fairly, productively and consistently. 

Performance. We are committed to deliver and demonstrate excellence in 

everything we do. We will be accountable and responsible for consistently 

delivering high-quality and superior results that make a difference in the lives 

of the people we touch. We continue to challenge ourselves to strive for 

even better outcomes in all key performance areas.

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP  11

 
Our Leadership

Douglas W. Leatherdale 
Retired Chairman 
and Chief Executive Offi cer, 
The St. Paul Companies, Inc. 

Glenn M. Renwick 
Chairman, President and 
Chief Executive Offi cer, 
The Progressive Corporation 

Kenneth I. Shine, M.D. 
Special Advisor to the Chancellor 
for Health Affairs, 
The University of Texas System 

Gail R. Wilensky, Ph.D. 
Senior Fellow, 
Project HOPE, an international 
health foundation 

Audit Committee 
Glenn M. Renwick, Chair 
Robert J. Darretta 
Michele J. Hooper 

Nominating and Corporate 
Governance Committee 
Michele J. Hooper, Chair 
William C. Ballard, Jr. 
Douglas W. Leatherdale 

Compensation and 
Human Resources Committee
Rodger A. Lawson, Chair
William C. Ballard, Jr.
Douglas W. Leatherdale

Public Policy Strategies 
and Responsibility Committee
Gail R. Wilensky, Ph.D., Chair
Edson Bueno, M.D.
Kenneth I. Shine, M.D.

Anthony Welters 
Executive Vice President

David S. Wichmann 
Executive Vice President 
and Chief Financial Offi cer, 
UnitedHealth Group 
and President, 
UnitedHealth Group Operations 

D. Ellen Wilson 
Executive Vice President, 
Human Capital

Board of Directors 
William C. Ballard, Jr. 
Former Of Counsel, 
Bingham Greenebaum Doll LLP 

Edson Bueno, M.D.
Founder and 
Chief Executive Offi cer,
Amil

Richard T. Burke 
Non-Executive Chairman, 
UnitedHealth Group 

Robert J. Darretta 
Retired Vice Chairman 
and Chief Financial Offi cer, 
Johnson & Johnson 

Stephen J. Hemsley 
President and 
Chief Executive Offi cer, 
UnitedHealth Group 

Michele J. Hooper 
President and Chief Executive Offi cer,
The Directors’ Council, a company 
focused on improving the governance 
processes of corporate boards

Rodger A. Lawson
Chairman,
E*TRADE Financial Corporation
and Retired President 
and Chief Executive Offi cer,
Fidelity Investments — 
Financial Services 

Executive Offi cers and Leaders 
Stephen J. Hemsley 
President and 
Chief Executive Offi cer 

Cory Alexander
Senior Vice President,
Government Affairs 

Gail K. Boudreaux 
Executive Vice President, 
UnitedHealth Group
and Chief Executive Offi cer, 
UnitedHealthcare 

Edson Bueno, M.D.
Founder and 
Chief Executive Offi cer,
Amil

Richard Migliori, M.D.
Executive Vice President, 
Medical Affairs and 
Chief Medical Offi cer

William A. Munsell 
Executive Vice President

Don Nathan 
Senior Vice President and
Chief Communications Offi cer 

John S. Penshorn 
Senior Vice President, 
Capital Markets Communications 
and Strategy 

Eric S. Rangen 
Senior Vice President 
and Chief Accounting Offi cer 

Larry C. Renfro 
Executive Vice President, 
UnitedHealth Group and
Chief Executive Offi cer,
Optum

Jeannine M. Rivet 
Executive Vice President 

Marianne D. Short 
Executive Vice President 
and Chief Legal Offi cer 

12

Form 10-K

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013

THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.

THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-K

	5 

  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR 
THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013

or

 TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from _____ to _____

Commission file number: 1-10864

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Minnesota 
(State or other jurisdiction of 
incorporation or organization)

UnitedHealth Group Center
9900 Bren Road East
Minnetonka, Minnesota
(Address of principal executive offices)

41-1321939
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

55343
(Zip Code)

(952) 936-1300
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

COMMON STOCK, $.01 PAR VALUE 
(Title of each class) 

NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, INC.
(Name of each exchange on which registered)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: NONE

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.     Yes   o No
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    o Yes    No
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   o No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive 
Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 
months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).     Yes   o No
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained 
herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by 
reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.   
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  
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes o No 
The aggregate market value of voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2013 was $64,914,032,649 (based on the 
last reported sale price of $65.48 per share on June 30, 2013, on the New York Stock Exchange), excluding only shares of voting stock held 
beneficially by directors, executive officers and subsidiaries of the registrant. 
As of January 31, 2014, there were 989,191,844 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, $.01 par value per share, issued and outstanding.

Smaller reporting company o

Non-accelerated filer o 

Accelerated filer o  

The information required by Part III of this report, to the extent not set forth herein, is incorporated by reference from the registrant’s 
definitive proxy statement relating to its 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Such proxy statement will be filed with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year to which this report relates.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
UNITEDHEALTH GROUP 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Item 1.

Item 1A.

Item 1B.

Item 2.

Item 3.

Item 4.

Item 5.

Item 6.

Item 7.

Item 7A.

Item 8.

Item 9.

Item 9A.

Item 9B.

Item 10.

Item 11.

Item 12.

Item 13.

PART I

Business

Risk Factors

Unresolved Staff Comments

Properties

Legal Proceedings

Mine Safety Disclosures

PART II

Market for Registrant's Common Equity,  
Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases 
of Equity Securities

Selected Financial Data

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial 
Condition and Results of Operations

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about 
Market Risk

Financial Statements

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants 
on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

Controls and Procedures

Other Information

PART III

Directors, Executive Officers and  
Corporate Governance

Executive Compensation

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial  
Owners and Management and Related 
Stockholder Matters

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, 
and Director Independence

Item 14.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

PART IV

Item 15.

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

Signatures

Exhibit Index

1

13

23

23

23

23

23

26

26

45

47

81

81

84

84

84

84

85

85

85

93

94

PART I

ITEM 1. 

Business

INTRODUCTION 

OVERVIEW 
UnitedHealth Group is a diversified health and well-being 
company dedicated to helping people live healthier lives 
and making the health system work better for everyone. 
The terms “we,” “our,” “us,” “UnitedHealth Group,” or the 
“Company” used in this report refer to UnitedHealth Group 
Incorporated and our subsidiaries. 

Through our diversified family of businesses, we leverage 

core competencies in advanced, enabling technology; 
health care data, information and intelligence; and clinical 
care management and coordination to help meet the 
demands of the health system. These core competencies are 
deployed within our two distinct, but strategically aligned, 
business platforms: health benefits operating under 
UnitedHealthcare and health services operating under 
Optum. 

UnitedHealthcare provides health care benefits to a full 

spectrum of customers and markets. UnitedHealthcare 
Employer & Individual serves employers ranging from sole 
proprietorships to large, multi-site and national employers, 
as well as students and other individuals, and serves the 
nation’s active and retired military and their families 
through the TRICARE program. UnitedHealthcare Medicare 
& Retirement delivers health and well-being benefits for 
Medicare beneficiaries and retirees. UnitedHealthcare 
Community & State manages health care benefit programs 
on behalf of state Medicaid and community programs and 
their participants. UnitedHealthcare International includes 
Amil, a health care company providing health and dental 
benefits and hospital and clinical services to individuals in 
Brazil, and other diversified global health businesses.

Optum is a health services business serving the broad 
health care marketplace, including payers, care providers, 
employers, government, life sciences companies and 
consumers, through its OptumHealth, OptumInsight and 
OptumRx businesses. These businesses have dedicated 
units that help improve overall health system performance 
including optimizing care quality, reducing costs and 
improving consumer experience and care provider 
performance across eight business markets: integrated 
care delivery, care management, consumer engagement, 
distribution services, health financial services, operational 
services and support, health care information technology 
and pharmacy services.

Through UnitedHealthcare and Optum, in 2013, we 

managed over $160 billion in aggregate health care 
spending on behalf of the constituents and consumers we 
served. Our revenues are derived from premiums on risk-
based products; fees from management, administrative, 
technology and consulting services; sales of a wide variety 
of products and services related to the broad health and 
well-being industry; and investment and other income. 

2013 FORM 10-K

1

Our two business platforms have four reportable segments: 

•  UnitedHealthcare, which includes UnitedHealthcare
   Employer & Individual, UnitedHealthcare Medicare
   & Retirement, UnitedHealthcare Community & State
   and UnitedHealthcare International; 
•  OptumHealth; 
•  OptumInsight; and 
•  OptumRx. 
For our financial results and the presentation of certain 
other financial information by segment, including revenues 
and long-lived fixed assets by geographic source, see Note 
13 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
included in Item 8, “Financial Statements.” 

2014 BUSINESS REALIGNMENT 
On January 1, 2014, we realigned certain of our businesses 
to respond to changes in the markets we serve and the 
opportunities that are emerging as the health system 
evolves. Our Optum business platform took responsibility 
for certain technology operations and business processing 
activities with the intention of pursuing additional third-
party commercial opportunities in addition to continuing 
to serve UnitedHealthcare. These activities, which were 
historically a corporate function, will be included in 
OptumInsight’s results of operations. Our periodic filings 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) 
beginning with our first quarter 2014 Form 10-Q will 
include historical segment results restated to reflect the 
effect of this realignment and will continue to present 
the same four reportable segments (UnitedHealthcare, 
OptumHealth, OptumInsight and OptumRx).

UNITEDHEALTHCARE 
UnitedHealthcare is advancing strategies to improve 
the way health care is delivered and financed, offering 
consumers a simpler, more affordable health care 
experience. Our market position is built on:

•  a national scale;
•  strong local market relationships;
•  the breadth of product offerings, which are responsive 

      to many distinct market segments in health care;

•  service and advanced technology; 
•  competitive medical and operating cost positions;
•  effective clinical engagement;
•  extensive expertise in distinct market segments; and
•  innovation for customers.
UnitedHealthcare utilizes the expertise of UnitedHealth 
Group affiliates for capabilities in specialized areas, such as 
OptumRx pharmacy benefit products and services, certain 
OptumHealth care management and integrated care 
delivery services and OptumInsight health information and 
technology solutions, consulting and other services. 

In the United States, UnitedHealthcare arranges for 
discounted access to care through networks that include 
a total of over 820,000 physicians and other health care 
professionals and approximately 6,000 hospitals and other 
facilities.

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UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

UnitedHealthcare is subject to extensive regulations. 

See further discussion of our regulatory environment 
below under “Government Regulation” and in Item 
7, “Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial 
Condition and Results of Operations.” 

UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual  
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, 
individuals, and the military, specifically TRICARE west 
region members. UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual 
provides over 30 million Americans access to health care 
as of December 31, 2013. Large employer groups typically 
use self-funded arrangements where UnitedHealthcare 
Employer & Individual earns a service fee. Smaller employer 
groups are more likely to purchase risk-based products 
because they are less willing or able to bear a greater 
potential liability for health care expenditures.
Through its risk-based product offerings, 

UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual assumes the risk 
of both medical and administrative costs for its customers 
in return for a monthly premium, which is typically at a 
fixed rate per individual served for a one-year period. 
When providing administrative and other management 
services to customers that elect to self-fund the health 
care costs of their employees and employees’ dependants, 
UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual receives a fixed 
service fee per individual served. These customers retain the 
risk of financing medical benefits for their employees and 
employees’ dependants, while UnitedHealthcare Employer 
& Individual provides services such as coordination and 
facilitation of medical and related services to customers, 
consumers and health care professionals, administration of 
transaction processing and access to a contracted network 
of physicians, hospitals and other health care professionals, 
including dental and vision. 

UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual also offers 
a variety of non-employer based insurance options for 
purchase by individuals, including students, which are 
designed to meet the health coverage needs of these 
consumers and their families. As part of the new public 
health care exchange market that opened October 1, 2013, 
UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual now offers health 
benefit plans through exchanges in 10 states and District 
of Columbia, including four individual exchanges and nine 
small group (SHOP) exchanges. 

The consolidated purchasing capacity represented by the 

individuals UnitedHealth Group serves makes it possible 
for UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual to contract 
for cost-effective access to a large number of conveniently 
located care professionals. 

UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual typically 

distributes its products through consultant or direct sales 
in the larger employer and public sector segments. In the 
smaller group size segment of the commercial marketplace, 
UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual’s distribution 
system consists primarily of direct sales and producers, 

including brokers and agents. UnitedHealthcare Employer & 
Individual also distributes products through general agents, 
each of which is a wholesale agent or agency that contracts 
with a carrier to distribute individual or group benefits, 
providing extensive services to customers. In recent years, 
UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual has diversified its 
model more extensively, distributing through professional 
employer organizations, associations, private equity 
relationships and, increasingly, through both multi-carrier 
and its own proprietary private exchange marketplaces. 
UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual offers its products 
through affiliates that are licensed as insurance companies, 
health maintenance organizations (HMOs), or third party 
administrators (TPAs).

Direct-to-consumer sales will be supported by industry 
participation in multi-carrier health insurance marketplaces 
for individuals and small groups through state or federally 
led exchanges for coverage effective January 1, 2014. 
Additionally, UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual has 
expanded distribution to include retail offerings responsive 
to the needs of individual consumers. Over the last few 
years, UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual has opened 
several retail storefronts in various locations across the 
United States that provide solutions to consumers at all 
stages in life, from individual plans to employer coverage, 
as well as solutions for Medicare-Medicaid eligible (MME) 
individuals. 

UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual’s diverse product 
portfolio offers a continuum of benefit designs, price points 
and approaches to consumer engagement, which provide 
the flexibility to meet the needs of employers of all sizes as 
well as individuals shopping for health benefits coverage. 
UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual emphasizes local 
markets and leverages its national scale to adapt products 
to meet specific local market needs. UnitedHealthcare 
Employer & Individual’s major product families include:

Traditional Products. Traditional products include a full 
range of medical benefits and network options from 
managed plans such as Choice and Options PPO to more 
traditional indemnity offerings. The plans offer a full 
spectrum of covered services, including preventive care, 
direct access to specialists and catastrophic protection.

Consumer Engagement Products and Tools. Consumer 
engagement products couple plan design with financial 
accounts to increase employee responsibility for their 
health and well-being. This suite of products includes high-
deductible consumer-driven benefit plans, which include 
health reimbursement accounts (HRAs), health savings 
accounts (HSAs) and consumer activation services such as 
personalized behavioral incentive programs and consumer 
education information. For example, UnitedHealthcare 
Employer & Individual’s Diabetes Health Plan emphasizes 
health engagement for diabetics and prediabetics, with 
personalized health action plans, scorecards and benefits 
that are specifically designed to encourage consumers to 
participate actively in maintaining their health. During 
2013, more than 45,000 employer-sponsored benefit 

plans, including nearly 270 employers in the large group 
self-funded market, purchased an HRA or HSA product. 
UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual’s consumer 
engagement tools provide members with online and/or 
mobile access to benefit, cost and quality information, such 
as myHealthcare Cost Estimator, Health4Me, and myClaims 
Manager with online bill payment. 

Value-Based Products. UnitedHealthcare Employer 
& Individual’s suite of consumer incentive products 
increases individual awareness for heightened consumer 
responsibility and behavior change. These products include: 
Small Business Wellness, which is a packaged wellness 
and incentives product offering gym reimbursement and 
encouraging completion of important wellness activities. 
For mid-sized clients, SimplyEngaged is a scalable activity-
based reward program that ties incentives to completion 
of health improvement activities, while SimplyEngaged 
Plus provides richer incentives for achieving health 
outcome goals. For large, self-funded customers, the 
UnitedHealthcare Healthy Rewards program offers a 
flexible incentive design for employers to choose the right 
activities and biometric outcomes that best fit the needs 
of their population. Additionally, UnitedHealth Personal 
Rewards leverages a tailored approach to incentives by 
combining personalized scorecards with financial incentives 
for improving biometric scores, compliance with key health 
treatments and preventive care.

Essential Benefits Products. UnitedHealthcare Employer & 
Individual’s portfolio of products drives value to consumers 
with lower costs, innovative designs and unique network 
programs that guide people to physicians recognized for 
providing high-quality, cost-efficient care to their patients. 
These approaches are designed to deliver sustainable 
health care costs for employers, enabling them to continue 
to offer their employees coverage at more affordable 
prices through benefit and local network access tradeoffs. 
UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual’s tiered benefit 
plans offer enhanced benefits in the form of greater 
coinsurance coverage and/or lower copays for using 
UnitedHealth Premium® designated care providers.

Clinical and Pharmacy Products. UnitedHealthcare 
Employer & Individual offers a comprehensive suite of 
clinical and pharmacy benefits management programs, 
which complement our service offerings by improving 
quality of care, engaging members and providing cost-
saving options. All UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual 
members are provided access to clinical products that help 
them make better health care decisions and better use of 
their medical benefits, improving health and decreasing 
medical expenses. 
   Each medical plan has a core set of clinical programs 
embedded in the offering, with additional services 
available depending on funding type (fully insured and self-
funded), line of business (e.g., small business, key accounts, 
public sector and national accounts), and clinical need. 
UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual’s spectrum of 
clinical programs include: 

2013 FORM 10-K

3

   •   wellness programs; 
   •   decision support; 
   •   utilization management; 
   •   case and disease management;  
   •   complex condition management; 
   •   on-site programs, including Know Your Numbers 
       (biometrics) and flu shots; 
   •   incentives to reinforce positive behavior change; 
   •   mental health/substance use disorder management; 
       and 
   •   employee assistance programs.

 UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual’s comprehensive 

and integrated pharmaceutical management services 
promote lower costs by using formulary programs to drive 
better unit costs, encouraging consumers to use drugs that 
offer better value and outcomes, and by supporting the 
appropriate use of drugs based on clinical evidence through 
physician and consumer programs. 

Specialty Offerings. UnitedHealthcare Employer & 
Individual also delivers dental, vision, life, and disability 
product offerings through an integrated approach 
including a network of more than 58,000 vision 
professionals in private and retail settings, and more than 
250,000 dental providers.

UnitedHealthcare Military & Veterans. UnitedHealthcare 
Military & Veterans is the provider of health care services 
for more than 2.9 million active duty and retired military 
service members and their families in 21 states (West 
Region) under the Department of Defense’s (DoD) TRICARE 
Managed Care Support contract. The contract began on 
April 1, 2013 and includes a transition period and five one-
year renewals at the government’s option.  
   UnitedHealthcare Military & Veterans’ responsibility as a 
contractor is to augment the military’s direct care system 
by providing managed care support services, provider 
networks, medical management, claims/enrollment 
administration, and customer services.

UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement  
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 for services dealing with 
chronic disease and other specialized issues for older 
individuals. UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement 
is fully dedicated to serving this growing senior market 
segment, providing products and services in all 50 states, 
the District of Columbia, and most U.S. territories. It 
has distinct pricing, underwriting, clinical program 
management and marketing capabilities dedicated to 
health products and services in this market. 

UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement offers a 

spectrum of risk-based Medicare products which may be 
purchased by individuals or on a group basis, including 
Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Prescription Drug 
Benefit (Medicare Part D) and Medicare Supplement/
Medigap products that supplement traditional fee-

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UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

for-service coverage. UnitedHealthcare Medicare & 
Retirement services include care management and clinical 
management programs, a nurse health line service, 24-hour 
access to health care information, access to discounted 
health services from a network of care providers and 
administrative services.

Premium revenues from the Centers for Medicare & 

Medicaid Services (CMS) represented 29% of UnitedHealth 
Group’s total consolidated revenues for the year ended 
December 31, 2013, most of which were generated by 
UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement under a number 
of contracts. 

UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement has extensive 

distribution capabilities and experience, including direct 
marketing to consumers on behalf of its key clients: AARP, 
the nation’s largest membership organization dedicated 
to the needs of people age 50 and over; state and U.S. 
government agencies; and employer groups. Products are 
also offered through employer groups and agent channels. 
UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement’s major product 

categories include:

Medicare Advantage. UnitedHealthcare Medicare & 
Retirement provides health care coverage for seniors and 
other eligible Medicare beneficiaries primarily through 
the Medicare Advantage program administered by CMS, 
including Medicare Advantage HMO plans, preferred 
provider organization (PPO) plans, Point-of-Service plans, 
Private-Fee-for-Service plans and Special Needs Plans (SNPs). 
Under the Medicare Advantage program, UnitedHealthcare 
Medicare & Retirement provides health insurance coverage 
in exchange for a fixed monthly premium per member 
from CMS and in some cases consumer premiums. Premium 
amounts vary based on the geographic areas in which 
members reside; demographic factors such as age, gender, 
and institutionalized status; and the health status of the 
individual. UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement had 
approximately 3 million people enrolled in its Medicare 
Advantage products as of December 31, 2013. 
   Medicare Advantage plans are designed at the local level 
taking into account member and care provider preferences, 
competitor offerings, our historical financial results, our 
quality and cost initiatives and the long-term payment 
rate outlook for that geographic area. Starting in 2012, 
and phased in through 2017, the Medicare Advantage 
rate structure and quality rating bonuses are changing 
significantly, see Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and 
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” 
for further information. 
   UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement offers 
innovative care management, disease management and 
other clinical programs, integrating federal, state and 
personal funding through its continuum of Medicare 
Advantage products. For high-risk patients in certain care 
settings and programs, UnitedHealthcare Medicare & 
Retirement uses proprietary, automated medical record 
software that enables clinical care teams to capture and 
track patient data and clinical encounters, creating a 
comprehensive set of care information that bridges across 

home, hospital and nursing home care settings. Proprietary 
predictive modeling tools help identify members at high 
risk and allow care managers to outreach to members 
to create individualized care plans and to help members 
obtain the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

Medicare Part D. UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement 
provides Medicare Part D benefits to beneficiaries 
throughout the United States and its territories through 
its Medicare Advantage and stand-alone Medicare 
Part D plans. UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement 
offers two standalone Medicare Part D plans: the AARP 
Medicare Rx Preferred and the AARP Medicare Rx Saver 
plans. The stand-alone Medicare Part D plans address a 
large spectrum of beneficiaries’ needs and preferences 
for their prescription drug coverage, including low cost 
prescription options. Each of the plans cover the majority 
of the drugs covered by Medicare and provides varying 
levels of coverage to meet the diverse needs of Medicare 
beneficiaries. As of December 31, 2013, UnitedHealthcare 
had enrolled approximately 8 million people in the 
Medicare Part D program, including approximately 5 
million individuals in the stand-alone Medicare Part D plans 
and approximately 3 million in its Medicare Advantage 
plans incorporating Medicare Part D coverage. 

Medicare Supplement. UnitedHealthcare Medicare & 
Retirement is currently serving more than 4 million 
seniors through various Medicare Supplement products 
in association with AARP. UnitedHealthcare Medicare 
& Retirement offers plans in all 50 states, the District of 
Columbia, and most U.S. territories. These products cover 
varying levels of coinsurance and deductible gaps that 
seniors are exposed to in the traditional Medicare program.   

UnitedHealthcare Community & State  
UnitedHealthcare Community & State is dedicated to 
providing diversified solutions to states’ programs that 
care for the economically disadvantaged, the medically 
underserved and those without the benefit of employer-
funded health care coverage in exchange for a fixed 
monthly premium per member from the applicable 
state. UnitedHealthcare Community & State’s primary 
customers oversee Medicaid plans, Children’s Health 
Insurance Programs (CHIP), and other federal, state and 
community health care programs. As of December 31, 
2013, UnitedHealthcare Community & State participated 
in programs in 24 states and the District of Columbia, 
and served more than 4 million beneficiaries. The Patient 
Protection and Affordable Care Act and a reconciliation 
measure, the Health Care and Education Reconciliation 
Act of 2010 (together, Health Reform Legislation) provides 
for optional Medicaid expansion effective January 1, 2014. 
Currently, more than half of our state customers have 
elected to expand Medicaid. For further discussion of the 
Medicaid expansion under Health Reform Legislation, see 
Item 7, “Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial 
Condition and Results of Operations.” 

States using managed care services for Medicaid 

beneficiaries select health plans by using a formal bid process 

or by awarding individual contracts. A number of factors are 
considered by UnitedHealthcare Community & State when 
choosing programs for participation including the state’s 
commitment and consistency of support for its Medicaid 
managed care program in terms of service, innovation and 
funding; the eligible population base, both immediate and 
long term; and the structure of the projected program. 
UnitedHealthcare Community & State works with its state 
customers to advocate for actuarially sound rates that are 
commensurate with medical cost trends. 

The primary categories of eligibility for the programs 
served by UnitedHealthcare Community & State and our 
participation are:

•   Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, primarily young   

       women and children – 19 markets;

•   CHIP – 19 markets;
•   Dual SNP – 18 markets;
•   Aged, Blind and Disabled (ABD) – 14 markets;
•   Long-Term Care (LTC) – 10 markets;
•   childless adults & programs for the uninsured – 7  

        markets;

•   other programs (e.g., developmentally disabled, 

        rehabilitative services) – 5 markets; and

•   administrative service offering – 1 market.
The health plans and care programs offered are designed 

to address the complex needs of the populations they 
serve, including the chronically ill, those with disabilities 
and people with a higher risk of medical, behavioral and 
social conditions. UnitedHealthcare Community & State 
leverages the national capabilities of UnitedHealth Group, 
delivering them at the local market level to support effective 
care management, strong regulatory partnerships, greater 
administrative efficiency, improved clinical outcomes and 
the ability to adapt to a changing market environment. 
UnitedHealthcare Community & State coordinates resources 
among family, physicians, other health care providers, 
and government and community-based agencies and 
organizations to facilitate continuous and effective care. 
UnitedHealthcare Community & State administers benefits 
for the unique needs of children, pregnant women, adults, 
seniors and those who are eligible for care in nursing 
homes and assisted living. They often live in areas that are 
medically underserved and are less likely to have a consistent 
relationship with the medical community or a care provider. 
They also tend to face significant social and economic 
challenges. UnitedHealthcare Community & State recognizes 
that within these broad groups, there exist individuals whose 
collective physical, behavioral and social challenges are 
so significant that they drive an inordinate percentage of 
UnitedHealthcare Community & State’s total medical costs. 
In UnitedHealthcare Community & State’s insured Medicaid 
population, approximately 1% of its membership accounts 
for about 30% of total costs. Care providers sometimes refer 
to this group as super utilizers.

The LTC market represents only 6% of the total Medicaid 

population, yet accounts for more than 30% of total 
Medicaid expenditures. The LTC population is made up 
of nearly 4 million individuals who qualify for additional 

2013 FORM 10-K

5

benefits under LTC programs and represent a subset of the 
more than 15 million ABD Americans. Currently, only one-
quarter of the ABD population and less than 20% of the LTC 
eligible population are served by managed care programs. 
States are increasingly looking for solutions to not only help 
control costs, but to improve quality for the complex medical 
challenges faced by this population and are moving with 
greater speed to managed care programs. 

There are nearly 10 million individuals eligible for both 
Medicare and Medicaid. This group has historically been 
referred to as dually eligible. MME beneficiaries typically 
have complex conditions with costs of care that are far 
higher than a typical Medicare or Medicaid beneficiary. 
While these individuals’ health needs are more complex and 
more costly, they have been historically served in unmanaged 
environments. This market provides UnitedHealthcare 
an opportunity to integrate Medicare and Medicaid 
funding and optimize people’s health status through close 
coordination of care.

Total annual expenditures for dually eligibles are 
estimated at more than $300 billion, or more than 10% 
of the total health care costs in the United States. As of 
December 31, 2013, UnitedHealthcare served more than 
275,000 people in legacy dually eligible programs through 
Medicare Advantage and SNPs. In 2013, UnitedHealthcare 
Community & State implemented a managed fee-for-service 
demonstration model in the state of Washington. In 2014, 
UnitedHealthcare Community & State will help implement 
MME programs in the states of Ohio, Washington and 
Michigan. These programs are among the first in the country 
to leverage CMS’ demonstrations to serve MMEs. 

UnitedHealthcare International 
UnitedHealthcare International participates in international 
markets through national “in country” and cross-border 
strategic approaches. UnitedHealthcare International’s 
cross-border health care business provides comprehensive 
health benefits, care management and care delivery for 
multinational employers, governments and individuals 
around the world. UnitedHealthcare International’s goal 
is to create business solutions that are based on local 
infrastructure, culture and needs, and that blend local 
expertise with experiences from the U.S. health care industry. 
As of December 31, 2013, UnitedHealthcare International 
provided medical benefits to 4.8 million people, principally in 
Brazil, but also residing in more than 125 countries. 

Amil. In 2012, UnitedHealthcare International acquired 
Amil, which provides health and dental benefits to nearly 
7 million people and also operates 25 acute hospitals, 
as well as specialty clinics, primary care, and emergency 
services across Brazil, principally for the benefit of its 
members. Amil’s patients are also treated in its contracted 
provider network of 21,000 physicians and other health 
care professionals, 2,100 hospitals and 7,900 laboratories 
and diagnostic imaging centers. Amil offers a diversified 
product portfolio with a wide range of product offerings, 
benefit designs, price points and value, including indemnity 
products. Amil’s products include various administrative 

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UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

services such as network access and administration, care 
management and personal health services and claims 
processing.

Other Operations. UnitedHealthcare International also 
includes other diversified global health services operations 
with a variety of offerings for international customers, 
including:

• net work access and care coordination in the United
   States and overseas; 
• TP A products and services for health plans and TPAs;
• br okerage services;
• pr actice management services for care providers;
• gover nment and corporate consulting services for
   improving quality and efficiency; and
• global expat riate insurance solutions.

OPTUM 
Optum is a health services business serving the broad health 
care marketplace, including:

•  Thos e who need care: the consumers and patients who 
need the right support, information, resources and 
products to achieve their health goals.

•  Thos e who provide care: physicians and other care 
providers, hospitals and clinical facilities seeking to 
modernize in ways that enable the best patient care 
and experience possible, delivered cost-effectively.

•  Thos e who pay for care: insurers, employers and 

government agencies devoted to ensuring that those 
they sponsor receive high-quality care, administered 
and delivered efficiently.

•  Thos e who innovate for care: life sciences and research 
focused organizations dedicated to developing more 
effective approaches, enabling technologies and 
medicines that improve the delivery and quality of 
care.

Using advanced data, analytics and technology, Optum 
helps improve overall health system performance by 
optimizing care quality, reducing costs and improving 
the consumer experience and care provider performance. 
Optum is organized in three reportable segments: 
•  OptumHealth focuses on care management, integrated 

care delivery, and consumer solutions, including 
financial services;

•  OptumInsight delivers operational services and support 

and health information technology services; and

•   Opt umRx specializes in pharmacy services. 

OPTUMHEALTH  
OptumHealth is a diversified health and wellness business 
serving the physical, emotional and financial needs of more 
than 62 million unique individuals and enabling consumer 
health management through programs offered by 
employers, payers, government entities and, increasingly, 
directly through the care delivery system. OptumHealth’s 
products and services can be deployed individually or 
integrated to provide more comprehensive solutions, 
addressing a broad base of needs within the health care 
system. These solutions are focused on improving quality 
and patient satisfaction and lowering costs by working to 
optimize the care delivery system through the creation of 

high-performing networks, centers of excellence across 
the care continuum, working directly with physicians to 
advance population health management and focusing on 
caring for the most medically complex patients. 
   OptumHealth offers its products on a risk basis, where it 
assumes responsibility for health care costs in exchange for 
a fixed monthly premium per individual served, and on an 
administrative fee basis whereby it manages or administers 
delivery of the products or services in exchange for a fixed 
fee per individual served. For its financial services offerings, 
OptumHealth charges fees and earns investment income on 
managed funds. 
   OptumHealth sells its products primarily through its 
direct sales force, strategic collaborations and external 
producers in three markets: employers (which includes 
the sub-markets of large, mid-sized and small employers), 
payers (which includes the sub-markets of health plans, 
TPAs, underwriter/stop-loss carriers and individual market 
intermediaries) and government entities (which includes 
states, CMS, DoD, Veterans Administration and other 
federal procurement agencies). As provider reimbursement 
models evolve, care providers are emerging as a fourth 
market for the health management, financial services and 
integrated care delivery businesses. 
   OptumHealth is organized into two major operating 
groups: Physician Solutions and Consumer Solutions.

Physician Solutions. Physician Solutions includes the 
Specialty Networks and Integrated Care Delivery offerings.

•    Specialty Networks. Within Specialty Networks, 
OptumHealth serves nearly 57 million people in 
two primary ways: 1) creating access to networks 
of provider specialists in the areas of behavioral 
health management (e.g., mental health, substance 
abuse), global well-being (e.g., international work/
life solutions), chronic physical health management 
(e.g., chiropractic, physical therapy), and complex 
medical conditions (e.g., transplant, infertility); 
and 2) managing the care and health needs for 
consumers through a variety of programs utilizing 
predictive modeling, evidence-based clinical 
outcomes management and peer support. Specialty 
Networks address areas likely to have significant 
variation in clinical practice, where a disciplined, 
evidence-based approach can drive improved health 
outcomes and reduced costs. These range from more 
commonly accessed services (e.g., behavioral health 
and chiropractic) to less common procedures (e.g., 
transplant, infertility, bariatric surgery and kidney 
disease/end stage renal disease).

•    Integrated Care Delivery. Integrated Care Delivery 
serves patients through a collaborative network 
aligned around total population health management 
and outcomes-based reimbursement. Within its local 
care delivery systems, OptumHealth works directly with 
medical groups and Independent Practice Associations 
to deploy a core set of technology, risk management, 
analytical and clinical capabilities and tools to assist 
physicians in delivering high-quality care across the 
populations they serve. Integrated Care Delivery’s 

complex population management services focus on 
improving care for patients with very challenging 
medical conditions by providing the optimal care in the 
most desirable setting. Integrated Care Delivery’s LHI 
business designs and implements mobile care delivery 
solutions, providing occupational health, medical and 
dental readiness services, treatments and immunization 
programs for the U.S. military and U.S. Department of 
Health and Human Services (HHS), as well as for many 
commercial companies.

Consumer Solutions. Consumer Solutions includes health 
management solutions, distribution and financial services 
operations. 

•    Health Management Solutions: OptumHealth serves 
over 37 million people through population health 
management services including care management, 
complex conditions (e.g., cancer, neonatal and 
maternity) health and wellness, and advocacy decision 
support solutions. This set of services helps consumers 
navigate the health care system and make decisions 
about their care and treatment, resulting in better 
clinical outcomes and lower medical costs.

•    Distribution: This business provides capabilities to 
help payers, aggregators and employers meet the 
needs of the consumers they serve. The consumer 
engagement and sales distribution platform is backed 
by a spectrum of health and wellness services. The 
consumer engagement platform is a technology-
enabled engagement model that is helping health care 
companies, including health plans, grow and manage 
their consumer relationships. OptumHealth provides 
call center support, multi-modal communications 
software, data analysis and trained nurses that help 
clients acquire, retain and service large populations of 
health care consumers.

•    Financial Services: This business is dedicated solely 
to providing financial solutions for the health care 
market, serving the needs of individuals, employers, 
health care professionals and payers. OptumHealth is 
a leading provider of consumer health care accounts 
including health savings, health reimbursement, health 
incentive, retiree reimbursement and flexible spending 
accounts, that help people plan and save for current 
and future health care expenses. Payers, health care 
professionals and employers rely upon OptumHealth’s 
electronic payment solutions to manage compliance 
and improve the administrative efficiency of electronic 
claim payments. OptumHealth also offers health care 
related lending and credit to health care providers 
to support the modernization of their practices, and 
financial risk protection for third-party payers and 
self-funded employers. As of December 31, 2013, 
Financial Services and its wholly owned subsidiary, 
Optum Bank, had $2.3 billion in customer assets under 
management and during 2013 processed $78 billion in 
medical payments to physicians and other health care 
providers.  

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7

OPTUMINSIGHT 
OptumInsight provides technology, operational and 
consulting services to participants in the health care industry. 
Hospitals, physicians, commercial health plans, government 
agencies, life sciences companies and other organizations 
that comprise the health care system use OptumInsight to 
help them reduce costs, meet compliance mandates, improve 
clinical performance and adapt to the changing health 
system landscape.

Many of OptumInsight’s software and information 

products, advisory consulting arrangements, and outsourcing 
contracts are performed over an extended period, often 
several years. OptumInsight maintains an order backlog 
to track unearned revenues under these long-term 
arrangements. The backlog consists of estimated revenue 
from signed contracts, other legally binding agreements 
and anticipated contract renewals based on historical 
experience that either have not started but are anticipated 
to begin in the near future, or are in process and have not 
been completed. OptumInsight’s aggregate backlog at 
December 31, 2013 was $5.5 billion, of which $2.7 billion 
is expected to be realized within the next 12 months. This 
includes $1.1 billion related to intersegment agreements, all 
of which are included in the current portion of the backlog. 
OptumInsight’s aggregate backlog at December 31, 2012 was 
$4.6 billion. The increase in 2013 backlog was attributable 
to the partnership with Dignity Health that established 
the Optum360 provider revenue management business. 
OptumInsight cannot provide any assurance that it will be 
able to realize all of the revenues included in backlog due to 
uncertainty regarding the timing and scope of services, the 
potential for cancellation, non-renewal, or early termination 
of service arrangements. 

OptumInsight’s products and services are sold primarily 
through a direct sales force. OptumInsight’s products are also 
supported and distributed through an array of alliance and 
business partnerships with other technology vendors, who 
integrate and interface OptumInsight’s products with their 
applications.

OptumInsight provides capabilities targeted to the 
needs of four primary market segments: care providers 
(e.g., physician practices and hospitals), commercial payers, 
governments and life sciences.  

Care Providers. Serving four out of five U.S. hospitals and 
tens of thousands of physician practices, OptumInsight 
provides capabilities that help drive financial performance, 
meet compliance requirements, and deliver health 
intelligence. OptumInsight’s offerings in clinical workflow, 
revenue management, health IT and analytics helps 
hospitals and physician practices improve patient outcomes, 
strengthen financial performance and meet quality 
measurement and compliance requirements, as well as 
transition to new collaborative and accountable care 
business models.

Commercial Payers. OptumInsight serves approximately 
300 health plans with employer, individual, Medicare, 
and Medicaid membership. OptumInsight applies its 
solutions across the payer’s operations, helping clients 

8

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

to improve operational and administrative efficiency, 
meet clinical performance and compliance goals, develop 
strong provider networks, manage risk and drive growth. 
OptumInsight is also helping payer clients adapt to new 
market models, including health insurance exchanges, 
consumer driven health care and engagement, pay-for-
value contracting, and population health management.

Governments. OptumInsight provides services to state, 
federal and municipal agencies and departments, across 
35 states and the District of Columbia. Services include 
financial management and program integrity services, 
policy and compliance consulting, data and analytics 
technology, systems integration and expertise to improve 
medical quality, access and costs.

Life Sciences. OptumInsight’s Life Sciences business provides 
services to more than 400 global life sciences organizations. 
OptumInsight’s services use real-world evidence to support 
market access and positioning of their products, to deliver 
strategic regulatory services, to provide insights into patient 
reported outcomes and to optimize and manage risk.

OPTUMRX 
OptumRx provides a range of pharmacy benefit 
management (PBM) services to nearly 28 million people 
nationwide, managing approximately $33 billion in 
pharmaceutical spending annually and processing an 
annual run rate of more than one-half billion adjusted 
retail, mail and specialty drug prescriptions. OptumRx’s 
PBM services include retail pharmacy network management 
services, mail order and specialty pharmacy services, 
manufacturer rebate contracting and administration, 
benefit plan design and consultation, claims processing, 
Medicare Part D services, and a variety of clinical 
programs such as formulary management and compliance, 
drug utilization review and disease and drug therapy 
management services. OptumRx has a network of more 
than 67,000 retail pharmacies and two mail services 
facilities in California and Kansas. 

The mail order and specialty pharmacy fulfillment 

capabilities of OptumRx are an important strategic 
component of its business, providing patients with 
convenient access to maintenance medications, offering 
a broad range of complex drug therapies and patient 
management services for individuals with chronic health 
conditions, and enabling OptumRx to manage its clients’ 
drug costs through operating efficiencies and economies of 
scale.

OptumRx provides PBM services to UnitedHealthcare 
members enrolled in benefit plans that offer pharmacy 
benefits. Throughout the course of 2013, OptumRx 
transitioned 12 million new or migrating UnitedHealthcare 
commercial members. Additionally, OptumRx managed 
specialty pharmacy benefits across nearly all of 
UnitedHealthcare’s businesses with services including 
patient support and clinical programs that ensure quality 
and value for consumers. Specialty drug management is 
important in managing overall drug spend, as biologicals 
and other specialty medications are fast growing pharmacy 

expenditures. OptumRx also provides PBM services to 
non-affiliated external clients, including public and private 
sector employer groups, insurance companies, Taft-Hartley 
Trust Funds, TPAs, managed care organizations (MCOs), 
Medicare-contracted plans, Medicaid plans and other 
sponsors of health benefit plans and individuals throughout 
the United States. OptumRx’s distribution system consists 
primarily of health insurance brokers and other health care 
consultants and direct sales.

GOVERNMENT REGULATION 

Most of our health and well-being businesses are subject 
to comprehensive federal, state and international laws 
and regulations. We are regulated by federal, state and 
international regulatory agencies that generally have 
discretion to issue regulations and interpret and enforce 
laws and rules. These regulations can vary significantly 
from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, and the interpretation 
of existing laws and rules also may change periodically. 
Domestic and international governments continue to enact 
and consider various legislative and regulatory proposals 
that could materially impact certain aspects of the health 
care system. New laws, regulations and rules, or changes in 
the interpretation of existing laws, regulations and rules, 
including as a result of changes in the political climate, could 
adversely affect our business. 
   In the event we fail to comply with, or we fail to respond 
quickly and appropriately to changes in, applicable laws, 
regulations and rules, our business, results of operations, 
financial position and cash flows could be materially 
and adversely affected. See Item 1A, “Risk Factors” for a 
discussion of the risks related to compliance with federal, 
state and international laws and regulations. 

FEDERAL LAWS AND REGULATION  
We are subject to various levels of U.S. federal 
regulation. For example, when we contract with the 
federal government, we are subject to federal laws and 
regulations relating to the award, administration and 
performance of U.S. government contracts. CMS regulates 
our UnitedHealthcare businesses, and certain aspects of 
our Optum businesses. Payments by CMS to our businesses 
are subject to regulations including the submission of 
information relating to the health status of enrollees for 
purposes of determining the amount of certain payments 
to us. CMS also has the right to audit our performance 
to determine our compliance with CMS contracts and 
regulations and the quality of care we provide to Medicare 
beneficiaries. Our commercial business will also be subject 
to audits related to risk adjustment and reinsurance data 
when the programs are implemented starting in 2014. 
UnitedHealthcare Community & State has Medicaid 
and CHIP contracts that are subject to federal regulations 
regarding services to be provided to Medicaid enrollees, 
payment for those services and other aspects of these 
programs. There are many regulations affecting Medicare 
and Medicaid compliance, and the regulatory environment 
with respect to these programs has become and will 

continue to become increasingly complex as a result of 
Health Reform Legislation. We are also subject to federal 
law and regulations relating to the administration of 
contracts with federal agencies that are held by our Optum 
businesses and UnitedHealthcare Military & Veterans 
business, such as our TRICARE West Region contract with 
the DoD.

Certain of our businesses, such as UnitedHealthcare’s 
eyeglass manufacturing activities and Optum’s high acuity 
clinical workflow software, hearing aid products and 
clinical research activities, are subject to regulation by the 
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Optum’s clinical 
research activities are subject to laws and regulations 
outside of the United States that regulate clinical trials. Our 
business is also subject to laws and regulations relating to 
consumer protection, anti-fraud and abuse, anti-kickbacks, 
false claims, prohibited referrals, inappropriately reducing 
or limiting health care services, anti-money laundering, 
securities and antitrust. 

Health Care Reform. Health Reform Legislation expands 
access to coverage and modifies aspects of the commercial 
insurance market, as well as the Medicaid and Medicare 
programs, CHIP and other aspects of the health care system. 
   Among other requirements, Health Reform Legislation 
has expanded dependant coverage to age 26, expanded 
benefit requirements, eliminated certain annual and 
lifetime maximum limits, eliminated certain pre-existing 
condition limits, required coverage for preventative services 
without cost to members, required premium rebates if 
certain medical loss ratios (MLRs) are not met, granted 
members new and additional appeal rights, created new 
premium rate review processes, established a system of 
state and federal exchanges through which consumers 
can purchase health coverage, imposed new requirements 
on the format and content of communications (such as 
explanations of benefits) between health insurers and 
their members, reduced the Medicare Part D coverage gap 
and reduced payments to private plans offering Medicare 
Advantage. 
   Health Reform Legislation and the related federal 
and state regulations are affecting how we do business 
and could impact our results of operations, financial 
position and cash flows. The full impact of Health Reform 
Legislation remains difficult to predict and is not yet 
fully known. See also Item 1A, “Risk Factors” and Item 
7, “Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial 
Condition and Results of Operations” for a discussion of 
the risks related to Health Reform Legislation and related 
matters.

Privacy, Security, and Data Standards Regulation.  
The administrative simplification provisions of the Health 
Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, as 
amended (HIPAA), apply to both the group and individual 
health insurance markets, including self-funded employee 
benefit plans. Federal regulations related to HIPAA contain 
minimum standards for electronic transactions and code 
sets, and for the privacy and security of protected health 

2013 FORM 10-K

9

information. ICD-9, the current system of assigning codes 
to diagnoses and procedures associated with hospital 
utilization in the United States, will be replaced by ICD-
10 code sets on October 1, 2014, and health plans and 
providers will be required to use ICD-10 codes for such 
diagnoses and procedures for dates of services on or after 
such date. 
   The Health Information Technology for Economic and 
Clinical Health Act (HITECH) significantly expanded the 
privacy and security provisions of HIPAA. HITECH imposes 
additional requirements on uses and disclosures of health 
information; includes new contracting requirements 
for HIPAA business associate agreements; extends parts 
of HIPAA privacy and security provisions to business 
associates; adds new federal data breach notification 
requirements for covered entities and business associates 
and new reporting requirements to HHS and the Federal 
Trade Commission and, in some cases, to the local media; 
strengthens enforcement and imposes higher financial 
penalties for HIPAA violations and, in certain cases, imposes 
criminal penalties for individuals, including employees. In 
the conduct of our business, we may act, depending on 
the circumstances, as either a covered entity or a business 
associate. Federal consumer protection laws may also apply 
in some instances to privacy and security practices related 
to personally identifiable information. 
   The use and disclosure of individually identifiable health 
data by our businesses is also regulated in some instances 
by other federal laws, including the Gramm-Leach-Bliley 
Act (GLBA) or state statutes implementing GLBA. These 
federal laws and state statutes generally require insurers to 
provide customers with notice regarding how their non-
public personal health and financial information is used 
and the opportunity to “opt out” of certain disclosures 
before the insurer shares such information with a third 
party, and generally require safeguards for the protection 
of personal information. Neither the GLBA nor HIPAA 
privacy regulations preempt more stringent state laws and 
regulations that may apply to us, as discussed below. 

ERISA. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 
1974, as amended (ERISA), regulates how our services 
are provided to or through certain types of employer-
sponsored health benefit plans. ERISA is a set of laws 
and regulations that is subject to periodic interpretation 
by the DOL as well as the federal courts. ERISA places 
controls on how our business units may do business 
with employers who sponsor employee benefit health 
plans, particularly those that maintain self-funded plans. 
Regulations established by the DOL subject us to additional 
requirements for claims payment and member appeals 
under health care plans governed by ERISA. 

STATE LAWS AND REGULATION  
Health Care Regulation. Our insurance and HMO 
subsidiaries must be licensed by the jurisdictions in which 
they conduct business. All of the states in which our 
subsidiaries offer insurance and HMO products regulate 
those products and operations. These states require 

10

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

periodic financial reports and establish minimum capital 
or restricted cash reserve requirements. The National 
Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) has 
adopted model regulations that, where implemented 
by states, require expanded governance practices and 
risk and solvency assessment reporting. Most states have 
adopted these or similar measures expanding the scope of 
regulations relating to corporate governance and internal 
control activities of HMOs and insurance companies. The 
NAIC also established the Risk Management and Own 
Risk and Solvency Assessment Model Act that by 2015 
will require us to conduct additional group solvency 
assessments, maintain a risk management framework and 
file additional reports with state insurance regulators. 
Certain states have also adopted their own regulations for 
minimum MLRs with which health plans must comply. In 
addition, a number of state legislatures have enacted or are 
contemplating significant reforms of their health insurance 
markets, either independent of or to comply with or be 
eligible for grants or other incentives in connection with 
Health Reform Legislation, which may affect our operations 
and our financial results. 
   Health plans and insurance companies are regulated 
under state insurance holding company regulations. Such 
regulations generally require registration with applicable 
state departments of insurance and the filing of reports 
that describe capital structure, ownership, financial 
condition, certain intercompany transactions and general 
business operations. Some state insurance holding company 
laws and regulations require prior regulatory approval of 
acquisitions and material intercompany transfers of assets, 
as well as transactions between the regulated companies 
and their parent holding companies or affiliates. These laws 
may restrict the ability of our regulated subsidiaries to pay 
dividends to our holding companies. 
   Some of our business activity is subject to other 
health care-related regulations and requirements, 
including PPO, MCO, utilization review (UR), or TPA-
related regulations and licensure requirements. These 
regulations differ from state to state, and may contain 
network, contracting, product and rate, and financial and 
reporting requirements. There are laws and regulations 
that set specific standards for delivery of services, appeals, 
grievances and payment of claims, adequacy of health 
care professional networks, fraud prevention, protection 
of consumer health information, pricing and underwriting 
practices and covered benefits and services. State health 
care anti-fraud and abuse prohibitions encompass a wide 
range of activities, including kickbacks for referral of 
members, billing unnecessary medical services and improper 
marketing. Certain of our businesses are subject to state 
general agent, broker, and sales distributions laws and 
regulations. Our UnitedHealthcare Community & State 
and certain Optum businesses are subject to regulation 
by state Medicaid agencies that oversee the provision of 
benefits to our Medicaid and CHIP beneficiaries and to our 
dually eligible (for Medicare and Medicaid) beneficiaries. 
We also contract with state governmental entities and are 

subject to state laws and regulations relating to the award, 
administration and performance of state government 
contracts. 

Guaranty Fund Assessments. Under state guaranty fund 
laws, certain insurance companies (and HMOs in some 
states) doing business in those states, including those 
issuing health, long-term care, life and accident insurance 
policies, 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 generally are based on a 
formula relating to 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.

Pharmacy Regulation. OptumRx’s mail order pharmacies 
must be licensed as pharmacies in the states in which 
they are located. Our mail order pharmacies must also 
register with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration 
and individual state controlled substance authorities to 
dispense controlled substances. In addition to the laws and 
regulations in the states where our mail order pharmacies 
are located, laws and regulations in non-resident states 
where we deliver pharmaceuticals may also apply, including 
the requirement to register with the board of pharmacy in 
the non-resident state. These non-resident states generally 
expect our mail order pharmacies to follow the laws of 
the state in which the pharmacies are located, but some 
states also require us to comply with the laws of that non-
resident state when pharmaceuticals are delivered there. 
Our mail order pharmacies maintain certain Medicare 
and state Medicaid provider numbers as pharmacies 
providing services under these programs. Participation in 
these programs requires the pharmacies to comply with 
the applicable Medicare and Medicaid provider rules and 
regulations. Other laws and regulations affecting our mail 
order pharmacies include federal and state statutes and 
regulations governing the labeling, packaging, advertising 
and adulteration of prescription drugs and dispensing of 
controlled substances. See Item 1A, “Risk Factors” for a 
discussion of the risks related to our PBM businesses.  

State Privacy and Security Regulations. A number of states 
have adopted laws and regulations that may affect our 
privacy and security practices, for example, state laws that 
govern the use, disclosure and protection of social security 
numbers and sensitive health information or that are 
designed to implement GLBA or protect credit card account 
data. State and local authorities increasingly focus on the 
importance of protecting individuals from identity theft, 
with a significant number of states enacting laws requiring 
businesses to notify individuals of security breaches involving 
personal information. State consumer protection laws 
may also apply to privacy and security practices related to 
personally identifiable information, including information 
related to consumers and care providers. Additionally, 
different approaches to state privacy and insurance 

regulation and varying enforcement philosophies in the 
different states may materially and adversely affect our 
ability to standardize our products and services across state 
lines. See Item 1A, “Risk Factors” for a discussion of the 
risks related to compliance with state privacy and security 
regulations.  

Corporate Practice of Medicine and Fee-Splitting Laws. 
Certain of our businesses function as direct service 
providers to care delivery systems and, as such, are subject 
to additional laws and regulations. Some states have 
corporate practice of medicine laws that prohibit certain 
entities from practicing medicine or employing physicians 
to practice medicine. Additionally, some states prohibit 
certain entities from sharing in the fees or revenues of a 
professional practice (fee-splitting). These prohibitions may 
be statutory or regulatory, or may be a matter of judicial 
or regulatory interpretation. These laws, regulations and 
interpretations have, in certain states, been subject to 
limited judicial and regulatory interpretation and are 
subject to change.

Consumer Protection Laws. Certain of our businesses 
participate in direct-to-consumer activities and are 
subject to emerging regulations applicable to on-line 
communications and other general consumer protection 
laws and regulations.

BANKING REGULATION
Optum Bank is subject to regulation by federal banking 
regulators, including the Federal Deposit Insurance 
Corporation, which performs annual examinations to 
ensure that the bank is operating in accordance with 
federal safety and soundness requirements, and the 
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which may 
perform periodic examinations to ensure that the bank 
is in compliance with applicable consumer protection 
statutes, regulations and agency guidelines. Optum Bank 
is also subject to supervision and regulation by the Utah 
State Department of Financial Institutions, which carries 
out annual examinations to ensure that the bank is 
operating in accordance with state safety and soundness 
requirements and performs periodic examinations of 
the bank’s compliance with applicable state banking 
statutes, regulations and agency guidelines. In the event 
of unfavorable examination results from any of these 
agencies, the bank could be subjected to increased 
operational expenses and capital requirements, enhanced 
governmental oversight and monetary penalties.

INTERNATIONAL REGULATION
Certain of our businesses and operations are international 
in nature and are subject to regulation in the jurisdictions 
in which they are organized or conduct business. These 
regulatory regimes encompass, among other matters, 
tax, licensing, tariffs, intellectual property, investment, 
capital (including minimum solvency margin and reserve 
requirements), management control, labor, anti-fraud, 
anti-corruption and privacy and data protection regulations 
(including requirements for cross-border data transfers) 
that vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. We currently 

2013 FORM 10-K

11

operate outside of the United States and may in the future 
acquire or commence additional businesses based outside 
of the United States, increasing our exposure to non-
U.S. regulatory regimes. For example, our Amil business 
subjects us to Brazilian laws and regulations affecting the 
managed care and insurance industries and regulation 
by Brazilian regulators including the national regulatory 
agency for private health insurance and plans, the Agência 
Nacional de Saúde Suplementar (ANS), whose approach to 
the interpretation, implementation and enforcement of 
industry regulations could differ from the approach taken 
by U.S. regulators. In addition, our non-U.S. businesses 
and operations are subject to U.S. laws that regulate the 
conduct and activities of U.S.-based businesses operating 
abroad, such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which 
prohibits offering, promising, providing or authorizing 
others to give anything of value to a foreign government 
official to obtain or retain business or otherwise secure a 
business advantage.

COMPETITION 

As a diversified health and well-being services company, 
we operate in highly competitive markets. Our competitors 
include managed health care companies, insurance 
companies, HMOs, TPAs and business services outsourcing 
companies, health care professionals that have formed 
networks to contract directly with employers or with CMS, 
specialty benefit providers, government entities, disease 
management companies, and various health information 
and consulting companies. For our UnitedHealthcare 
businesses, our competitors include Aetna Inc., Cigna 
Corporation, Health Net, Inc., Humana Inc., Kaiser 
Permanente, WellPoint, Inc., numerous for-profit and 
not-for-profit organizations operating under licenses 
from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, and, with 
respect to our Brazilian operations, several established 
competitors in Brazil, and other enterprises that serve more 
limited geographic areas. For our OptumRx businesses, our 
competitors include CVS Caremark Corporation, Express 
Scripts, Inc. and Catamaran Corporation. New entrants into 
the markets in which we compete, as well as consolidation 
within these markets, also contribute to a competitive 
environment. We compete on the basis of the sales, 
marketing and pricing of our products and services; product 
innovation; consumer engagement and satisfaction; 
the level and quality of products and services; care 
delivery; network and clinical management capabilities; 
market share; product distribution systems; efficiency 
of administration operations; financial strength; and 
marketplace reputation. If we fail to compete effectively 
to maintain or increase our market share, including 
maintaining or increasing enrollments in businesses 
providing health benefits, our results of operations, 
financial position and cash flows could be materially 
and adversely affected. See Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” for 
additional discussion of our risks related to competition. 

12

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS 

We have obtained trademark registration for the 
UnitedHealth Group, UnitedHealthcare and Optum names 
and logos. We own registrations for certain of our other 
trademarks in the United States and abroad. We hold a 
portfolio of patents and have patent applications pending 
from time to time. We are not substantially dependent on 
any single patent or group of related patents.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT 

   Unless otherwise noted, trademarks appearing in 
this report are trademarks owned by us. We disclaim 
proprietary interest in the marks and names of others.

EMPLOYEES

As of December 31, 2013, we employed approximately 
156,000 individuals.

The following sets forth certain information regarding our executive officers as of February 12, 2014, including the business 
experience of each executive officer during the past five years: 

Name

Stephen J. Hemsley

David S. Wichmann

Gail K. Boudreaux

Eric S. Rangen

Larry C. Renfro

Age

Position

61

51

53

57

60

President and Chief Executive Officer

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of UnitedHealth 
Group and President of UnitedHealth Group Operations

Executive Vice President of UnitedHealth Group and Chief Executive 
Officer of UnitedHealthcare

Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer

Executive Vice President of UnitedHealth Group and Chief Executive 
Officer of Optum

Marianne D. Short

62

Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer

Our Board of Directors elects executive officers annually. 
Our executive officers serve until their successors are duly 
elected and qualified.

Mr. Hemsley is President and Chief Executive Officer of 
UnitedHealth Group, has served in that capacity since 
November 2006, and has been a member of the Board of 
Directors since February 2000. 

Mr. Wichmann is Executive Vice President and Chief 
Financial Officer of UnitedHealth Group and President of 
UnitedHealth Group Operations and has served in that 
capacity since January 2011. Mr. Wichmann has served as 
Executive Vice President and President of UnitedHealth 
Group Operations since April 2008. 

Ms. Boudreaux is Executive Vice President of UnitedHealth 
Group and Chief Executive Officer of UnitedHealthcare 
and has served in that capacity since January 2011. 
Ms. Boudreaux served as Executive Vice President of 
UnitedHealth Group and President of UnitedHealthcare 
from May 2008 to January 2011. 

Mr. Rangen is Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting 
Officer of UnitedHealth Group and has served in that 
capacity since December 2006. 

Mr. Renfro is Executive Vice President of UnitedHealth 
Group and Chief Executive Officer of Optum and has 
served in that capacity since July 2011. From January 2011 
to July 2011, Mr. Renfro served as Executive Vice President 
of UnitedHealth Group. From October 2009 to January 

2011, Mr. Renfro served as Executive Vice President of 
UnitedHealth Group and Chief Executive Officer of the 
Public and Senior Markets Group. From January 2009 to 
October 2009, Mr. Renfro served as Executive Vice President 
of UnitedHealth Group and Chief Executive Officer of 
Ovations (now UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement). 

Ms. Short is Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer 
of UnitedHealth Group and has served in that capacity 
since January 2013. Prior to joining UnitedHealth Group, 
Ms. Short served as the Managing Partner at Dorsey & 
Whitney LLP, an international law firm, from January 2007 
to December 2012.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION  
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated was incorporated in 
January 1977 in Minnesota. Our executive offices are 
located at UnitedHealth Group Center, 9900 Bren Road East, 
Minnetonka, Minnesota 55343; our telephone number is 
(952) 936-1300. 

You can access our website at 

www.unitedhealthgroup.com

to learn more about our Company. From that site, you 
can download and print copies of our annual reports to 
shareholders, annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly 
reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K, 
along with amendments to those reports. You can also 
download from our website our Articles of Incorporation, 
bylaws and corporate governance policies, including our 
Principles of Governance, Board of Directors Committee 
Charters, and Code of Conduct. We make periodic reports 
and amendments available, free of charge, as soon as 

reasonably practicable after we file or furnish these 
reports to the SEC. We will also provide a copy of any 
of our corporate governance policies published on our 
website free of charge, upon request. To request a copy 
of any of these documents, please submit your request 
to: UnitedHealth Group Incorporated, 9900 Bren Road 
East, Minnetonka, MN 55343, Attn: Corporate Secretary. 
Information on or linked to our website is neither part of 
nor incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on 
Form 10-K or any other SEC filings.

Our transfer agent, Wells Fargo Shareowner Services, 
can help you with a variety of shareholder-related services, 
including change of address, lost stock certificates, transfer 
of stock to another person and other administrative 
services. You can write to our transfer agent at: Wells Fargo 
Shareowner Services, P.O. Box 64854, St. Paul, Minnesota 
55164-0854, email stocktransfer@wellsfargo.com, or 
telephone (800) 468-9716 or (651) 450-4064.

ITEM 1A. 

Risk Factors 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS 
The statements, estimates, projections or outlook 
contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K include 
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the 
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA). 
When used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and in 
future filings by us with the SEC, in our news releases, 
presentations to securities analysts or investors, and in 
oral statements made by or with the approval of one of 
our executive officers, the words or phrases “believe,” 
“expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “forecast,” 
“plan,” “project,” “should” or similar expressions are 
intended to identify such forward-looking statements. 
These statements are intended to take advantage of the 
“safe harbor” provisions of the PSLRA. These forward-
looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that 
may cause our actual results to differ materially from the 
expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking 
statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as 
of the date of this report and, except as required by law; 
we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking 
statement to reflect events or circumstances, including 
unanticipated events, after the date of this report.

The following discussion contains cautionary statements 

regarding our business that investors and others should 
consider. We do not undertake to address in future filings 
or communications regarding our business or results of 
operations how any of these factors may have caused our 
results to differ from discussions or information contained 
in previous filings or communications. In addition, any of 
the matters discussed below may have affected past, as 
well as current, forward-looking statements about future 
results. Any or all forward-looking statements in this 
Annual Report on Form 10-K and in any other public filings 
or 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. Many factors 

2013 FORM 10-K

13

discussed below will be important in determining future 
results. 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.  

If we fail to effectively estimate, price for and manage our 
medical costs, the profitability of our risk-based products 
and services could decline and could materially and 
adversely affect our results of operations, financial position 
and cash flows.  

Through our risk-based benefit products, we assume 
the risk of both medical and administrative costs for our 
customers in return for monthly premiums. Premium 
revenues from risk-based benefits products comprise 
approximately 90% of our total consolidated revenues. We 
generally use approximately 80% to 85% of our premium 
revenues to pay the costs of health care services delivered 
to these customers. The profitability of our products 
depends in large part on our ability to predict, price for, 
and effectively manage medical costs. In this regard, 
Health Reform Legislation established minimum MLRs for 
certain health plans and authorized HHS to maintain an 
annual price increase review process for commercial health 
plans, which could make it more difficult for us to price 
our products competitively. In addition, our OptumHealth 
Integrated Care Delivery business negotiates capitation 
arrangements with commercial third-party payers. Under 
the typical capitation arrangement, the health care 
provider receives a fixed percentage of a third-party 
payer’s premiums to cover all or a defined portion of the 
medical costs provided to the capitated member. If we 
fail to accurately predict, price for or manage the costs of 
providing care to our capitated members, our results of 
operations could be materially and adversely affected.

We manage medical costs through underwriting criteria, 
product design, negotiation of favorable provider contracts 
and care management programs. Total medical costs are 
affected by the number of individual services rendered, 
the cost of each service and the type of service rendered. 
Our premium revenue on commercial policies is typically 
at a fixed rate per individual served for a 12-month period 
and is generally priced one to four months before the 
contract commences. Our revenue on Medicare policies 
is based on bids submitted in June the year before the 
contract year. Although we base the premiums we charge 
and our Medicare bids on our estimates of future medical 
costs over the fixed contract period, many factors may 
cause actual costs to exceed those estimated and reflected 
in premiums or bids. These factors may include medical 
cost inflation, increased use of services, increased cost of 
individual services, natural catastrophes or other large-scale 
medical emergencies, epidemics, the introduction of new or 
costly treatments and technology, new mandated benefits 
(such as the expansion of essential benefits coverage) 
or other regulatory changes and insured population 
characteristics. Relatively small differences between 
predicted and actual medical costs or utilization rates as a 
percentage of revenues can result in significant changes in 

www.unitedhealthgroup.com

14

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

our financial results. For example, if our 2013 medical costs 
for commercial insured products were 1% higher, without 
proportionally higher revenues from such products, our 
annual net earnings for 2013 would have been reduced 
by approximately $200 million, excluding any offsetting 
impact from premium rebates.

In addition, the financial results we report for any 
particular period include estimates of costs that have 
been incurred for which claims are still outstanding. These 
estimates involve an extensive degree of judgment. If these 
estimates prove too low, our results of operations could be 
materially and adversely affected. 

Our business activities are highly regulated and new laws 
or regulations or changes in existing laws or regulations 
or their enforcement or application could materially and 
adversely affect our results of operations, financial position 
and cash flows.  

We are regulated by federal, state and local governments 

in the United States and other countries where we do 
business. Our insurance and HMO subsidiaries must be 
licensed by and are subject to the regulations of the 
jurisdictions in which they conduct business. For example, 
states require periodic financial reports and enforce 
minimum capital or restricted cash reserve requirements. 
Health plans and insurance companies are also regulated 
under state insurance holding company regulations, and 
some of our activities may be subject to other health care-
related regulations and requirements, including those 
relating to PPOs, MCOs, UR and TPA-related regulations 
and licensure requirements. Some of our UnitedHealthcare 
and Optum businesses hold or provide services related to 
government contracts and are subject to U.S. federal and 
state and non-U.S. self-referral, anti-kickback, medical 
necessity, risk adjustment, false claims, and other laws 
and regulations governing government contractors and 
the use of government funds. In addition, under state 
guaranty fund laws, certain health, life and accident 
insurance companies and, in certain cases, HMOs 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 in 
these states, which would expose our business to the risk of 
insolvency of a competitor in these states.

Certain of our businesses provide products or services to 
various government agencies. Our relationships with these 
government agencies are subject to the terms of contracts 
that we hold with the agencies and to laws and regulations 
regarding government contracts. Among others, certain 
laws and regulations restrict or prohibit companies from 
performing work for government agencies that might be 
viewed as an actual or potential conflict of interest. These 
laws may limit our ability to pursue and perform certain 
types of work, thereby materially and adversely affecting 
our results of operations, financial position and cash flows. 

Certain of our Optum businesses are also subject to 
regulations, which are distinct from those faced by our 
insurance and HMO subsidiaries, including, for example, 
FDA regulations, state telemedicine regulations, debt 

collection laws, and state corporate practice of medicine 
doctrines and fee-splitting rules, some of which could 
impact our relationships with physicians, hospitals and 
customers. Additionally, we participate in the emerging 
private exchange markets and it is not yet known to what 
extent the states will issue new regulations that apply 
to private exchanges. These risks and uncertainties may 
materially and adversely affect our ability to market our 
products and services, or to do so at targeted margins, 
or may increase the regulatory burdens under which we 
operate.

The laws and rules governing our business and 
interpretations of those laws and rules are subject to 
frequent change, and the integration into our businesses 
of entities that we acquire may affect the way in which 
existing laws and rules apply to us. The broad latitude 
given to the agencies administering, interpreting and 
enforcing current and future regulations governing our 
business could force us to change how we do business, 
restrict revenue and enrollment growth, increase our health 
care and administrative costs and capital requirements, 
or expose us to increased liability in courts for coverage 
determinations, contract interpretation and other actions.
We must also obtain and maintain regulatory approvals 
to market many of our products, increase prices for certain 
regulated products, and complete certain acquisitions and 
dispositions or integrate certain acquisitions. For example, 
premium rates for our health insurance and/or managed 
care products are subject to regulatory review or approval 
in many states and by the federal government, and a 
number of states have enhanced (or are proposing to 
enhance) their rate review processes. Additionally, the final 
market reform rules released in February 2013 require that 
we submit data on all proposed rate increases to HHS for 
monitoring purposes on many of our products. Moreover, 
geographic and product expansions may be subject to 
state and federal regulatory approvals. Delays in obtaining 
necessary approvals or our failure to obtain or maintain 
adequate approvals could materially and adversely affect 
our results of operations, financial position and cash flows. 
Some of our businesses and operations are international 
in nature and consequently face political, economic, legal, 
compliance, regulatory, operational and other risks and 
exposures that are unique and vary by jurisdiction. The 
regulatory environments and associated requirements 
and uncertainties regarding tax, licensing, tariffs, 
intellectual property, privacy, data protection, investment, 
capital (including minimum solvency margin and reserve 
requirements), management control, labor relations, fraud 
and corruption present compliance requirements and 
uncertainties for us that are different from those faced by 
U.S.-based businesses. We have acquired and may in the 
future acquire or commence additional businesses based 
outside of the United States. For example, our acquisition 
of Amil subjects us to Brazilian laws and regulations 
affecting the managed care and insurance industries, which 
vary from comparable U.S. laws and regulations, and to 
regulation by Brazilian regulators, whose approach to 

the interpretation, implementation and enforcement of 
industry regulations could differ from the approach taken 
by U.S. regulators. In addition, our non-U.S. businesses and 
operations are also subject to U.S. laws that regulate the 
conduct and activities of U.S.-based businesses operating 
abroad, such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Our 
failure to comply with U.S. or non-U.S. laws and regulations 
governing our conduct outside the United States or to 
establish constructive relations with non-U.S. regulators 
could adversely affect our ability to market our products 
and services, or to do so at targeted margins, which may 
have a material adverse effect on our business, financial 
condition and results of operations. 

The health care industry is also regularly subject to 
negative publicity, including as a result of governmental 
investigations, adverse media coverage and political 
debate surrounding industry regulation, such as the 
implementation of Health Reform Legislation and 
associated exchanges. Negative publicity may adversely 
affect our stock price and damage our reputation in various 
markets.

Health Reform Legislation could materially and adversely 
affect the manner in which we conduct business and our 
results of operations, financial position and cash flows. 
Due to its complexity and ongoing implementation, 
Health Reform Legislation’s impact remains difficult to 
predict, is not yet fully known and could adversely affect us. 
For example, if we do not maintain certain minimum MLRs, 
we are required to rebate ratable portions of our premiums 
to our customers annually. Beginning in 2014, commercial 
MLRs will need to factor in the effect of new premium 
stabilization provisions (risk adjustment, risk corridor and 
transitional reinsurance) for individual and small group 
markets. These factors, along with uncertainties in how 
MLR rules may be amended to address other changes 
required by Health Reform Legislation, decrease the 
predictability of medical loss rebates. Some state Medicaid 
programs are also imposing MLR requirements on Medicaid 
MCOs, which generally require such plans to rebate ratable 
portions of their premiums to their state customers if 
they cannot demonstrate they have met the minimum 
MLRs. Depending on our calculations of the MLR for 
each of our plans and the manner in which we adjust our 
business model in light of these requirements, there could 
be meaningful disruptions in our market share, results 
of operations, financial position and cash flows could be 
materially and adversely affected.

Several states have indicated they may not expand their 

Medicaid programs based on concerns over the costs of 
such programs when expanded federal funding is reduced 
starting in 2017. The extent to which states expand their 
Medicaid programs, or discontinue current expansion 
programs, could adversely impact our Medicaid enrollment 
levels, which could in turn materially and adversely affect 
our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
Health Reform Legislation also includes a “maintenance 
of effort” (MOE) provision that requires states to maintain 
their eligibility rules for adults covered by Medicaid, 

2013 FORM 10-K

15

until the Secretary of HHS determines that an insurance 
exchange is operational in a given state, and for children 
covered by Medicaid or CHIP, through the end of the 2019 
federal fiscal year. 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, which could materially and 
adversely affect our results of operations, financial position 
and cash flows.

In addition, Health Reform Legislation requires the 
establishment of state based health insurance exchanges 
for individuals and small employers by 2014. The types of 
exchange participation requirements ultimately enacted by 
each state, the availability of federal subsidies for premiums 
and cost-sharing reductions within exchanges, the potential 
for differential imposition of state benefit mandates inside 
and outside the exchanges, the operation of reinsurance, 
risk corridors and risk adjustment mechanisms inside and 
outside the exchanges and the possibility that certain states 
may restrict the ability of health plans to continue to offer 
coverage to individuals and small employers outside of the 
exchanges could result in disruptions in local health care 
markets and adversely affect our results of operations, 
financial position and cash flows.

Health Reform Legislation also includes for 2014 specific 

reforms for the individual and small group marketplace, 
including guaranteed availability of coverage, adjusted 
community rating requirements (which include elimination 
of health status and gender rating factors), essential health 
benefit requirements (resulting in benefit changes for 
many members) and actuarial value requirements resulting 
in expanded benefits or reduced member cost sharing 
(or a combination of both) for many policyholders. These 
changes may lead to significant disruptions in local health 
care markets, which could materially and adversely affect 
our results of operations, financial position and cash flows. 
Further, while risk adjustment will apply to most individual 
and small group plans in the commercial markets beginning 
in 2014, the availability of transitional relief makes the full 
extent of its impact difficult to predict and could further 
disrupt underlying exchange risk pools, impact pricing and 
market strategies, and result in adverse consequences to 
the marketplace. While we have made certain assumptions 
in our premium rate development relating to projected risk 
adjustment transfers, actual risk adjustment calculations 
and transfers could materially differ from our assumptions.

Premium increases or benefit reductions will be necessary 

to offset Health Reform Legislation’s impact on our 
medical and operating costs. These premium increases 
are often subject to state regulatory approval, and 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. If we are not able to secure approval for 
adequate premium increases to offset increases in our cost 
structure or if consumers forego coverage as a result of 
such premium increases, our margins, results of operations, 
financial position and cash flows could be materially and 

16

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

adversely affected. In addition, plans deemed to have a 
history of “unreasonable” rate increases may be prohibited 
from participating in the state-based exchanges that 
become active under Health Reform Legislation in 2014.  
Our results of operations, financial position and cash 
flows could be materially and adversely affected if fewer 
individuals gain coverage under Health Reform Legislation 
than we expect, if we are unable to attract these new 
individuals to our UnitedHealthcare offerings, or if the 
demand for Health Reform Legislation related products and 
capabilities offered by our Optum businesses is less than 
anticipated.

As a result of our participation in various government 
health care programs, both as a payer and as a service 
provider to payers, we are exposed to additional risks 
associated with program funding, enrollments, payment 
adjustments, audits and government investigations that 
could materially and adversely affect our business, results 
of operations, financial position and cash flows. 

We participate in various federal, state and local 
government health care coverage programs, including 
as a payer in Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, 
various Medicaid programs, CHIP and our TRICARE West 
Region contract with the DoD, and receive substantial 
revenues from these programs. We also provide services 
to payers through our Optum businesses. A reduction 
or less than expected increase, or a protracted delay, in 
government funding for these programs or change in 
allocation methodologies, or, as is a typical feature of many 
government contracts, termination of the contract for 
the convenience of the government, may materially and 
adversely affect our results of operations, financial position 
and cash flows. 

The government health care programs in which we 
participate generally are subject to frequent changes, 
including changes that may reduce the number of 
persons enrolled or eligible for coverage, reduce the 
amount of reimbursement or payment levels, reduce 
our participation in certain service areas or markets, 
or increase our administrative or medical costs under 
such programs. Revenues for these programs depend 
on periodic funding from the federal government or 
applicable state governments and allocation of the funding 
through various payment mechanisms. Funding for these 
government programs depends on many factors outside 
of our control, including general economic conditions and 
budgetary constraints at the federal or applicable state 
level. For example, CMS has in the past reduced or frozen 
Medicare Advantage benchmarks and additional cuts to 
Medicare Advantage benchmarks are expected in the 
next few years. In addition, from time to time, CMS makes 
changes to the way it calculates Medicare Advantage risk 
adjustment payments. For 2014, CMS has asked plans to 
submit additional information indicating whether or not 
medical conditions were diagnosed in a clinical setting. 
CMS has indicated that it will publish further guidance 
on the treatment of risk adjustment data in early 2015, 
including with respect to diagnoses made during “risk 

assessments,” that may change the way in which Medicare 
Advantage payments are determined. Although we have 
adjusted members’ benefits and premiums on a selective 
basis, ceased to offer benefit plans in certain counties, 
and intensified both our medical and operating cost 
management in response to the benchmark reductions 
and other funding pressures, these or other strategies may 
not fully address the funding pressures in the Medicare 
Advantage program. In addition, payers in the Medicare 
Advantage program may be subject to reductions in 
payments from CMS as a result of decreased funding or 
recoupment pursuant to government audit.

Under the Medicaid Managed Care program, state 

Medicaid agencies are periodically required by federal law 
to seek bids from eligible health plans to continue their 
participation in the acute care Medicaid health programs. 
If we are not successful in obtaining renewals of state 
Medicaid Managed Care contracts, we risk losing the 
members that were enrolled in those Medicaid plans. Under 
the Medicare Part D program, to qualify for automatic 
enrollment of low income members, our bids must result 
in an enrollee premium below a regional benchmark, 
which is calculated by the government after all regional 
bids are submitted. If the enrollee premium is not below 
the government benchmark, we risk losing the members 
who were auto-assigned to us and will not have additional 
members auto-assigned to us. In general, our bids are based 
upon certain assumptions regarding enrollment, utilization, 
medical costs, and other factors. In the event any of these 
assumptions are materially incorrect, either as a result of 
unforeseen changes to the Medicare program or other 
programs on which we bid, or our competitors submit bids 
at lower rates than our bids, our results of operations, 
financial position and cash flows could be materially and 
adversely affected.

Many of the government health care coverage 

programs in which we participate are subject to the prior 
satisfaction of certain conditions or performance standards 
or benchmarks. For example, as part of Health Reform 
Legislation, CMS has a system that provides various quality 
bonus payments to plans that meet certain quality star 
ratings at the local plan level. In addition, under Health 
Reform Legislation, Congress authorized CMS and the 
states to implement MME managed care demonstration 
programs to serve dually eligible beneficiaries to improve 
the coordination of their care. Health plan participation in 
these demonstration programs is subject to CMS approval 
of specified care delivery models and the satisfaction of 
conditions to participation, including meeting certain 
performance requirements. Any changes in standards or 
care delivery models that apply to government health care 
programs, including Medicare, Medicaid and the MME 
demonstration programs for dually eligible beneficiaries, or 
our inability to improve our quality scores and star ratings 
to meet government performance requirements or to 
match the performance of our competitors could result in 
limitations to our participation in or exclusion from these or 
other government programs, which in turn could materially 

and adversely affect our results of operations, financial 
position and cash flows. 

CMS uses various payment mechanisms to allocate 
funding for Medicare programs, including adjusting 
monthly capitation payments to Medicare Advantage 
plans and Medicare Part D plans according to the predicted 
health status of each beneficiary as supported by data 
from health care providers for Medicare Advantage 
plans, as well as, for Medicare Part D plans, risk-sharing 
provisions based on a comparison of costs predicted in 
our annual bids to actual prescription drug costs. Some 
state Medicaid programs utilize a similar process. For 
example, our UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement and 
UnitedHealthcare Community & State businesses submit 
information relating to the health status of enrollees to 
CMS or state agencies for purposes of determining the 
amount of certain payments to us. CMS and the Office 
of Inspector General for HHS periodically perform risk 
adjustment data validation (RADV) audits of selected 
Medicare health plans to validate the coding practices of 
and supporting documentation maintained by health care 
providers, and certain of our local plans have been selected 
for audit. Such audits have in the past resulted and could in 
the future result in retrospective adjustments to payments 
made to our health plans, fines, corrective action plans 
or other adverse action by CMS. In February 2012, CMS 
published a final RADV audit and payment adjustment 
methodology. The methodology contains provisions 
allowing retroactive contract level payment adjustments for 
the year audited, beginning with 2011 payments, using an 
extrapolation of the “error rate” identified in audit samples 
and, for Medicare Advantage plans, after considering a 
fee-for-service “error rate” adjuster that will be used in 
determining the payment adjustment. Depending on the 
error rate found in those audits, if any, potential payment 
adjustments could have a material adverse effect on our 
results of operations, financial position and cash flows. 

We have been and may in the future become involved in 

routine, regular, and special governmental investigations, 
audits, reviews and assessments. Certain of our businesses 
have been reviewed or are currently under review, 
including for, among other matters, compliance with 
coding and other requirements under the Medicare risk-
adjustment model. Such investigations, audits or reviews 
sometimes arise out of or prompt claims by private 
litigants or whistleblowers that, among other allegations, 
we failed to disclose certain business practices or, as a 
government contractor, submitted false claims to the 
government. Governmental investigations, audits, reviews 
and assessments could lead to government actions, which 
could result in the assessment of damages, civil or criminal 
fines or penalties, or other sanctions, including restrictions 
or changes in the way we conduct business, loss of licensure 
or exclusion from participation in government programs, 
any of which could have a material adverse effect on our 
business, results of operations, financial position and cash 
flows. 

2013 FORM 10-K

17

If we fail to comply with applicable privacy, security, 
and data laws, regulations and standards, including 
with respect to third-party service providers that utilize 
sensitive personal information on our behalf, our business, 
reputation, results of operations, financial position and 
cash flows could be materially and adversely affected. 

The collection, maintenance, protection, use, 
transmission, disclosure and disposal of sensitive 
personal information are regulated at the federal, state, 
international and industry levels and requirements are 
imposed on us by contracts with customers. These laws, 
rules and requirements are subject to change. Compliance 
with new privacy and security laws, regulations and 
requirements may result in increased operating costs, and 
may constrain or require us to alter our business model or 
operations. For example, the HITECH amendments to HIPAA 
may further restrict our ability to collect, disclose and use 
sensitive personal information and may impose additional 
compliance requirements on our business. While we have 
prepared for the transition to ICD-10 as a HIPAA-regulated 
entity, if unforeseen circumstances arise, it is possible that 
we could be exposed to investigations and allegations 
of noncompliance, which could have a material adverse 
effect on our results of operations, financial position 
and cash flows. In addition, if some providers continue 
to use ICD-9 codes on claims after October 1, 2014, we 
will have to reject such claims, which may lead to claim 
resubmissions, increased call volume and provider and 
customer dissatisfaction. Further, providers may use ICD-10 
codes differently than they used ICD-9 codes in the past, 
which could result in lost revenues under risk adjustment. 
During the transition to ICD-10, certain claims processing 
and payment information we have historically used to 
establish our reserves may not be reliable or available in a 
timely manner.

Many of our businesses are also subject to the 

Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, which is a 
multifaceted security standard that is designed to protect 
credit card account data as mandated by payment card 
industry entities. 

HIPAA also requires business associates as well as 

covered entities to comply with certain privacy and security 
requirements. While we provide for appropriate protections 
through our contracts with our third-party service providers 
and in certain cases assess their security controls, we have 
limited oversight or control over their actions and practices. 
Several of our businesses act as business associates to their 
covered entity customers and as a result, they collect, 
use, disclose and maintain sensitive personal information 
in order to provide services to these customers. HHS has 
announced that it will continue its audit program to assess 
HIPAA compliance efforts by covered entities and expand it 
to include business associates. An audit resulting in findings 
or allegations of noncompliance could have a material 
adverse effect on our results of operations, financial 
position and cash flows.  

Through our Optum businesses, including our Optum 
Labs business, we maintain a database of administrative 

18

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

and clinical data that is statistically de-identified in 
accordance with HIPAA standards. Noncompliance or 
findings of noncompliance with applicable laws, regulations 
or requirements, or the occurrence of any privacy or 
security breach involving the misappropriation, loss or other 
unauthorized disclosure of sensitive personal information, 
whether by us or by one of our third-party service 
providers, could have a material adverse effect on our 
reputation and business, including mandatory disclosure 
to the media, loss of existing or new customers, significant 
increases in the cost of managing and remediating privacy 
or security incidents, and material fines, penalties and 
litigation awards, among other consequences, any of which 
could have a material and adverse effect on our results of 
operations, financial position and cash flows. 

Our businesses providing PBM services face regulatory 
and other risks and uncertainties associated with the PBM 
industry that may differ from the risks of our business of 
providing managed care and health insurance products. 
We provide PBM services through our OptumRx and 
UnitedHealthcare businesses. Each business is subject to 
federal and state anti-kickback and other laws that govern 
the relationships of the business with pharmaceutical 
manufacturers, physicians, pharmacies, customers and 
consumers. OptumRx also conducts business as a mail order 
pharmacy and specialty pharmacy, which subjects it to 
extensive federal, state and local laws and regulations. In 
addition, federal and state legislatures regularly consider 
new regulations for the industry that could materially 
and adversely affect current industry practices, including 
the receipt or disclosure of rebates from pharmaceutical 
companies, the development and use of formularies, and 
the use of average wholesale prices.

Our PBM businesses would be materially and adversely 
affected by an inability to contract on favorable terms with 
pharmaceutical manufacturers and other suppliers, and 
could face potential claims in connection with purported 
errors by our mail order or specialty pharmacies, including 
in connection with the risks inherent in the packaging 
and distribution of pharmaceuticals and other health care 
products. Disruptions at any of our mail order or specialty 
pharmacies due to an accident or an event that is beyond 
our control could affect our ability to process and dispense 
prescriptions in a timely manner and could materially and 
adversely affect our results of operations, financial position 
and cash flows.

In addition, our PBM businesses provide services to 

sponsors of health benefit plans that are subject to ERISA. 
The DOL, which is the agency that enforces ERISA, could 
assert that the fiduciary obligations imposed by the 
statute apply to some or all of the services provided by our 
PBM businesses even where our PBM businesses are not 
contractually obligated to assume fiduciary obligations. 
In the event a court were to determine that fiduciary 
obligations apply to our PBM businesses in connection with 
services for which our PBM businesses are not contractually 
obligated to assume fiduciary obligations, we could be 
subject to claims for breaches of fiduciary obligations or 

claims that we entered into certain prohibited transactions.

If we fail to compete effectively to maintain or increase 
our market share, including maintaining or increasing 
enrollments in businesses providing health benefits, our 
results of operations, financial position and cash flows 
could be materially and adversely affected.   
   Our businesses compete throughout the United States 
and face significant competition in all of the geographic 
markets in which we operate. In particular markets, our 
competitors, compared to us, may have greater capabilities, 
resources or market share; a more established reputation; 
superior supplier or health care professional arrangements; 
better existing business relationships; or other factors that 
give such competitors a competitive advantage. In addition, 
our competitive position may be adversely affected by 
significant merger and acquisition activity that has occurred 
in the industries in which we operate, both among our 
competitors and suppliers (including hospitals, physician 
groups and other care professionals). Consolidation may 
make it more difficult for us to retain or increase our 
customer base, improve the terms on which we do business 
with our suppliers, or maintain or increase profitability. Our 
business, results of operations, financial position and cash 
flows could be materially and adversely affected if we do 
not compete effectively in our markets, if we set rates too 
high or too low in highly competitive markets, if we do not 
design and price our products properly and competitively, 
if we are unable to innovate and deliver products and 
services that demonstrate value to our customers, if we do 
not provide a satisfactory level of services, if membership or 
demand for other services does not increase as we expect 
or declines, or if we lose accounts with more profitable 
products while retaining or increasing membership in 
accounts with less profitable products.

If we fail to develop and maintain satisfactory relationships 
with physicians, hospitals, and other health care providers, 
our business could be materially and adversely affected.  
We contract with physicians, hospitals, pharmaceutical 
benefit service providers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, 
and other health care providers for services. Our results 
of operations and prospects are substantially dependent 
on our continued ability to contract for these services at 
competitive prices. Any failure to develop and maintain 
satisfactory relationships with health care providers, 
whether in-network or out-of-network, could materially 
and adversely affect our business, results of operations, 
financial position and cash flows. In addition, certain 
activities related to network design, provider participation 
in networks and provider payments could result in disputes 
that may be costly, distract managements’ attention and 
result in negative publicity.

In any particular market, physicians and health care 

providers could refuse to contract, demand higher 
payments, or take other actions that could result in higher 
medical costs, less desirable products for customers or 
difficulty meeting regulatory or accreditation requirements. 
In some markets, certain health care providers, particularly 

2013 FORM 10-K

19

hospitals, physician/hospital organizations or multi-specialty 
physician groups, may have significant market positions 
or near monopolies that could result in diminished 
bargaining power on our part. In addition, accountable 
care organizations, practice management companies, which 
aggregate physician practices for administrative efficiency 
and marketing leverage, and other organizational 
structures that physicians, hospitals and other care 
providers choose may change the way in which these 
providers interact with us and may change the competitive 
landscape. Such organizations or groups of physicians may 
compete directly with us, which could adversely affect 
our operations, and our results of operations, financial 
position and cash flows by impacting our relationships 
with these providers or affecting the way that we price 
our products and estimate our costs, which might require 
us to incur costs to change our operations. In addition, if 
these providers refuse to contract with us, use their market 
position to negotiate favorable contracts or place us at a 
competitive disadvantage, our ability to market products 
or to be profitable in those areas could be materially and 
adversely affected. 

The success of certain businesses, including OptumHealth 
Integrated Care Delivery and Amil, depend on maintaining 
satisfactory physician relationships. The primary care 
physicians that practice medicine or contract with our 
affiliated physician organizations could terminate their 
provider contracts or otherwise become unable or unwilling 
to continue practicing medicine or contracting with us. 
There is and will likely be heightened competition in 
the markets where we operate to acquire or manage 
physician practices or to employ or contract with 
individual physicians. If we are unable to maintain or grow 
satisfactory relationships with primary care physicians, or 
to acquire, recruit or, in some instances, employ physicians, 
or to retain enrollees following the departure of a 
physician, our revenues could be materially and adversely 
affected. In addition, our affiliated physician organizations 
contract with health insurance and HMO competitors of 
UnitedHealthcare. Our business could suffer if our affiliated 
physician organizations fail to maintain relationships 
with these health insurance or HMO companies, or to 
adequately price their contracts with these third-party 
payers.

We have capitation arrangements with some physicians, 

In addition, physicians, hospitals, pharmaceutical 

hospitals and other health care providers. Capitation 
arrangements limit our exposure to the risk of increasing 
medical costs, but expose us to risk related to the adequacy 
of the financial and medical care resources of the health 
care provider. To the extent that a capitated health 
care provider organization faces financial difficulties or 
otherwise is unable to perform its obligations under the 
capitation arrangement, we may be held responsible 
for unpaid health care claims that should have been the 
responsibility of the capitated health care provider and 
for which we have already paid the provider under the 
capitation arrangement. Further, payment or other disputes 
between a primary care provider and specialists with 
whom the primary care provider contracts could result in a 
disruption in the provision of services to our members or a 
reduction in the services available to our members. Health 
care providers with whom we contract may not properly 
manage the costs of services, maintain financial solvency 
or avoid disputes with other providers. Any of these events 
could have a material adverse effect on the provision of 
services to our members and our operations. 

Some providers that render services to our members 
do not have contracts with us. In those cases, we do not 
have a pre-established understanding about the amount 
of compensation that is due to the provider for services 
rendered to our members. In some states, the amount of 
compensation due to these out-of-network providers is 
defined by law or regulation, but in most instances, the 
amount is either not defined or is established by a standard 
that does not clearly specify dollar terms. In some instances, 
providers may believe that they are underpaid for their 
services and may either litigate or arbitrate their dispute 
with us or try to recover from our members the difference 
between what we have paid them and the amount they 
charged us. 

benefit service providers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, 
and certain health care providers are customers of our 
Optum businesses. Given the importance of health care 
providers and other constituents to our businesses, failure 
to maintain satisfactory relationships with them could 
materially and adversely affect our results of operations, 
financial position and cash flows. 

Because of the nature of our business, we are routinely 
subject to various litigation actions, which could damage 
our reputation and, if resolved unfavorably, could result 
in substantial penalties and/or monetary damages and 
materially and adversely affect our results of operations, 
financial position and cash flows.

Because of the nature of our business, we are routinely 
made party to a variety of legal actions related to, among 
other matters, the design, management and delivery of our 
product and service offerings. These matters have included 
or could in the future include claims related to health care 
benefits coverage and payment (including disputes with 
enrollees, customers, and contracted and non-contracted 
physicians, hospitals and other health care professionals), 
tort (including claims related to the delivery of health 
care services, such as medical malpractice by health care 
practitioners who are employed by us, have contractual 
relationships with us, or serve as providers to our managed 
care networks), contract and labor disputes, tax claims and 
claims related to disclosure of certain business practices. We 
are also party to certain class action lawsuits brought by 
health care professional groups and consumers. In addition, 
we periodically acquire businesses or commence operations 
in jurisdictions outside of the United States, where 
contractual rights, tax positions and applicable regulations 
may be subject to interpretation or uncertainty to a 
greater degree than in the United States, and therefore 
subject to dispute by customers, government authorities or 

20

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

others. We are largely self-insured with regard to litigation 
risks. Although we maintain excess liability insurance 
with outside insurance carriers for claims in excess of our 
self-insurance, certain types of damages, such as punitive 
damages in some circumstances, are not covered by 
insurance. Although we record liabilities for our estimates 
of the probable costs resulting from self-insured matters, 
it is possible that the level of actual losses will significantly 
exceed the liabilities recorded.  

We cannot predict the outcome of significant legal 

actions in which we are involved and are incurring expenses 
in resolving these matters. The legal actions we face or may 
face in the future could further increase our cost of doing 
business and materially and adversely affect our results of 
operations, financial position and cash flows. In addition, 
certain legal actions could result in adverse publicity, which 
could damage our reputation and materially and adversely 
affect our ability to retain our current business or grow our 
market share in select markets and businesses.

Any failure by us to manage successfully our strategic 
alliances or complete, manage or integrate acquisitions 
and other significant strategic transactions or relationships 
could materially and adversely affect our business, 
prospects, results of operations, financial position and cash 
flows.  
   As part of our business strategy, we frequently engage 
in discussions with third parties regarding possible 
investments, acquisitions, divestitures, strategic alliances, 
joint ventures, and outsourcing transactions and often 
enter into agreements relating to such transactions. For 
example, we have a strategic alliance with AARP under 
which we provide AARP-branded Medicare Supplement 
insurance to AARP members and other AARP-branded 
products and services to Medicare beneficiaries. If we 
fail to meet the needs of our alliance or joint venture 
partners, including by developing additional products 
and services, providing high levels of service, pricing 
our products and services competitively or responding 
effectively to applicable federal and state regulatory 
changes, our alliances and joint ventures could be damaged 
or terminated, which in turn could adversely impact our 
reputation, business and results of operations. Further, if 
we fail to identify and complete successfully transactions 
that further our strategic objectives, we may be required 
to expend resources to develop products and technology 
internally, we may be placed at a competitive disadvantage 
or we may be adversely affected by negative market 
perceptions, any of which may have a material adverse 
effect on our results of operations, financial position or 
cash flows. For acquisitions, success is also dependent 
upon efficiently integrating the acquired business into 
our existing operations, including our internal control 
environment, which may present challenges that are 
different from those presented by organic growth and 
that may be difficult for us to manage. If we are unable to 
successfully integrate and grow these acquisitions and to 
realize contemplated revenue synergies and cost savings, 
our business, prospects, results of operations, financial 

position and cash flows could be materially and adversely 
affected.  
   As we continue to expand our business outside the 
United States, acquired non-U.S. businesses, such as Amil, 
will present challenges that are different from those 
presented by acquisitions of domestic businesses, including 
challenges in adapting to new markets, business, labor 
and cultural practices and regulatory environments that 
are different from those with which we are familiar in 
our U.S. operations. Adapting to these challenges could 
require us to devote significant senior management and 
other resources to the acquired businesses before we 
realize anticipated benefits or synergies from the acquired 
businesses. These challenges vary widely by country and 
may include political instability, government intervention, 
discriminatory regulation, and currency exchange controls 
or other restrictions that could prevent us from transferring 
funds from these operations out of the countries in which 
our acquired businesses operate or converting local 
currencies that we hold into U.S. dollars or other currencies. 
If we are unable to manage successfully our non-U.S. 
acquisitions, our business, prospects, results of operations 
and financial position could be materially and adversely 
affected.  
   Foreign currency exchange rates and fluctuations may 
have an impact on our shareholders’ equity from period 
to period, which could adversely affect our debt to debt-
plus-equity ratio, and our future revenues, costs and cash 
flows from international operations. Any measures we may 
implement to reduce the effect of volatile currencies may 
be costly or ineffective.

Our sales performance will suffer if we do not adequately 
attract, retain and provide support to a network of 
independent producers and consultants. 

Our products and services are sold in part through 

independent producers and consultants who assist in the 
sales and servicing of our business. We typically do not have 
long-term contracts with our producers and consultants, 
who generally do not provide services to us exclusively, 
but instead typically also market health care products and 
services of our competitors. As a result, we must compete 
intensely for their services and allegiance. Our sales would 
be materially and adversely affected if we were unable to 
attract or retain independent producers and consultants 
or if we do not adequately provide support, training and 
education to them regarding our product portfolio, or 
if our sales strategy is not appropriately aligned across 
distribution channels. 

Producer commissions will be under the same cost 
reduction pressures as other administrative costs. For 
example, such commissions are included as administrative 
expenses under MLR requirements of Health Reform 
Legislation and, therefore, are not included in the 
minimum MLR calculation. Our relationships with producers 
could be materially and adversely impacted by changes in 
our business practices and the nature of our relationships 
to address these pressures, including potential reductions in 
commissions. 

A number of investigations have been conducted regarding 
the marketing practices of producers selling health care 
products and the payments they receive. These have 
resulted in enforcement actions against companies in 
our industry and producers marketing and selling those 
companies’ products. These investigations and enforcement 
actions could result in penalties and the imposition 
of corrective action plans, which could materially and 
adversely impact our ability to market our products. 

Unfavorable economic conditions could materially and 
adversely affect our revenues and our results of operations. 
   Unfavorable economic conditions may impact demand 
for certain of our products and services. For example, high 
unemployment rates have caused and could continue to 
cause lower enrollment or lower rates of renewal in our 
employer group plans and our non-employer individual 
plans. Unfavorable economic conditions have also caused 
and could continue to cause employers to stop offering 
certain health care coverage as an employee benefit or 
elect to offer this coverage on a voluntary, employee-
funded basis as a means to reduce their operating costs. 
In addition, unfavorable economic conditions could 
adversely impact our ability to increase premiums or result 
in the cancellation by certain customers of our products 
and services. All of these could lead to a decrease in 
our membership levels and premium and fee revenues 
and could materially and adversely affect our results of 
operations, financial position and cash flows.  
   During a prolonged unfavorable economic environment, 
state and federal budgets could be materially and adversely 
affected, resulting in reduced reimbursements or payments 
in our federal and state government health care coverage 
programs, including Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP. A 
reduction in state Medicaid reimbursement rates could be 
implemented retrospectively to apply to payments already 
negotiated and/or received from the government and could 
materially and adversely affect our results of operations, 
financial position and cash flows. In addition, state and 
federal budgetary pressures could cause the affected 
governments to impose new or a higher level of taxes or 
assessments for our commercial programs, such as premium 
taxes on insurance companies and HMOs and surcharges or 
fees on select fee-for-service and capitated medical claims. 
Any of these developments or actions could materially and 
adversely affect our results of operations, financial position 
and cash flows.  
   A prolonged unfavorable economic environment also 
could adversely impact the financial position of hospitals 
and other care providers, which could materially and 
adversely affect our contracted rates with these parties and 
increase our medical costs or materially and adversely affect 
their ability to purchase our service offerings. Further, 
unfavorable economic conditions could adversely impact 
the customers of our Optum businesses, including health 
plans, HMOs, hospitals, care providers, employers and 
others, which could, in turn, materially and adversely affect 
Optum’s financial results. 

2013 FORM 10-K

21

Our investment portfolio may suffer losses, which could 
materially and adversely affect our results of operations, 
financial position and cash flows. 

Market fluctuations could impair our profitability and 

capital position. Volatility in interest rates affects our 
interest income and the market value of our investments 
in debt securities of varying maturities, which comprise 
the vast majority of the fair value of our investments as 
of December 31, 2013. Relatively low interest rates on 
investments, such as those experienced during recent years, 
have adversely impacted our investment income, and the 
continuation of the current low interest rate environment 
could further adversely affect our investment income. In 
addition, a delay in payment of principal and/or interest by 
issuers, or defaults by issuers (primarily from investments 
in corporate and municipal bonds), could reduce our net 
investment income and require us to write down the value 
of our investments, which could materially and adversely 
affect our profitability and shareholders’ equity. 

There can be no assurance that our investments will 

produce total positive returns or that we will not sell 
investments at prices that are less than their carrying 
values. Changes in the value of our investment assets, 
as a result of interest rate fluctuations, changes in issuer 
financial conditions, illiquidity or otherwise, could have 
an adverse effect on our shareholders’ equity. In addition, 
if it became necessary for us to liquidate our investment 
portfolio on an accelerated basis, such an action could have 
a material adverse effect on our results of operations and 
the capital position of regulated subsidiaries. 

If the value of our intangible assets is materially impaired, 
our results of operations, shareholders’ equity and credit 
ratings could be materially and adversely affected.   
   Goodwill and other intangible assets were $35.4 billion 
as of December 31, 2013, representing 43% of our total 
consolidated assets. We periodically evaluate our goodwill 
and other intangible assets to determine whether all or 
a portion of their carrying values may be impaired, in 
which case a charge to earnings may be necessary. For 
example, the manner in or the extent to which Health 
Reform Legislation is implemented may impact our ability 
to maintain the value of our goodwill and other intangible 
assets in our business. Similarly, the value of our goodwill 
may be materially and adversely impacted if businesses 
that we acquire perform in a manner that is inconsistent 
with our assumptions. In addition, from time to time we 
divest businesses, and any such divestiture could result 
in significant asset impairment and disposition charges, 
including those related to goodwill and other intangible 
assets. Any future evaluations requiring an impairment of 
our goodwill and other intangible assets could materially 
and adversely affect our results of operations and 
shareholders’ equity in the period in which the impairment 
occurs. A material decrease in shareholders’ equity could, 
in turn, adversely impact our credit ratings and potentially 
impact our compliance with the covenants in our bank 
credit facilities.  

22

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

If we fail to maintain properly the integrity or availability 
of our data or successfully consolidate, integrate, upgrade 
or expand our existing information systems, or if our 
technology products do not operate as intended, our 
business could be materially and adversely affected. 

Our ability to price adequately our products and services, 
to provide effective service to our customers in an efficient 
and uninterrupted fashion, and to report accurately our 
results of operations depends on the integrity of the data 
in our information systems. As a result of technology 
initiatives and recently enacted regulations, changes in 
our system platforms and integration of new business 
acquisitions, we periodically consolidate, integrate, 
upgrade and expand our information systems capabilities. 
Our information systems require an ongoing commitment 
of significant resources to maintain, protect and enhance 
existing systems and develop new systems to keep pace 
with continuing changes in information processing 
technology, evolving systems and regulatory standards, 
and changing customer patterns. If the information we 
rely upon to run our businesses is found to be inaccurate 
or unreliable or if we fail to maintain or protect our 
information systems and data integrity effectively, we 
could lose existing customers, have difficulty attracting new 
customers, experience problems in determining medical 
cost estimates and establishing appropriate pricing, have 
difficulty preventing, detecting and controlling fraud, have 
disputes with customers, physicians and other health care 
professionals, become subject to regulatory sanctions or 
penalties, incur increases in operating expenses or suffer 
other adverse consequences. There can be no assurance 
that our process of consolidating the number of systems 
we operate, upgrading and expanding our information 
systems capabilities, enhancing our systems and developing 
new systems to keep pace with continuing changes in 
information processing technology will be successful or 
that additional systems issues will not arise in the future. 
Failure to protect, consolidate and integrate our systems 
successfully could result in higher than expected costs and 
diversion of management’s time and energy, which could 
materially and adversely affect our results of operations, 
financial position and cash flows. 

Certain of our businesses sell and install hardware and 

software products that may contain unexpected design 
defects or may encounter unexpected complications 
during installation or when used with other technologies 
utilized by the customer. Connectivity among competing 
technologies is becoming increasingly important in the 
health care industry. A failure of our technology products 
to operate as intended and in a seamless fashion with other 
products could materially and adversely affect our results of 
operations, financial position and cash flows. 

Uncertain and rapidly evolving U.S. federal and state, 
non-U.S. and international laws and regulations related 
to the health information technology market may present 
compliance challenges and could materially and adversely 
affect the configuration of our information systems and 
platforms, and our ability to compete in this market.

We could suffer a loss of revenue and increased costs, 
exposure to significant liability, reputational harm and 
other serious negative consequences if we sustain cyber-
attacks or other privacy or data security incidents, that 
result in security breaches that disrupt our operations 
or result in the unintended dissemination of sensitive 
personal information or proprietary or confidential 
information. 

We routinely process, store and transmit large amounts 

of data in our operations, including sensitive personal 
information as well as proprietary or confidential 
information relating to our business or a third-party. We 
may be subject to breaches of the information technology 
systems we use for these purposes. Experienced computer 
programmers and hackers may be able to penetrate 
our layered security controls and misappropriate or 
compromise sensitive personal information or proprietary 
or confidential information or that of third-parties, create 
system disruptions or cause shutdowns. They also may 
be able to develop and deploy viruses, worms, and other 
malicious software programs that attack our systems or 
otherwise exploit any security vulnerabilities. Our facilities 
may also be vulnerable to security incidents or security 
attacks; acts of vandalism or theft; coordinated attacks by 
activist entities; misplaced or lost data; human errors; or 
other similar events that could negatively affect our systems 
and our and our customer’s data.

The costs to eliminate or address the foregoing security 
threats and vulnerabilities before or after a cyber-incident 
could be significant. Our remediation efforts may not 
be successful and could result in interruptions, delays, 
or cessation of service, and loss of existing or potential 
customers. In addition, breaches of our security measures 
and the unauthorized dissemination of  sensitive personal 
information or proprietary information or confidential 
information about us or our customers or other third-
parties, could expose our customers’ private information 
and our customers to the risk of financial or medical 
identity theft, or expose us or other third-parties to a risk 
of loss or misuse of this information, result in litigation and 
potential liability for us, damage our brand and reputation, 
or otherwise harm our business. 

If we are not able to protect our proprietary rights to our 
databases, software and related products, our ability to 
market our knowledge and information-related businesses 
could be hindered and our results of operations, financial 
position and cash flows could be materially and adversely 
affected.  

We rely on our agreements with customers, 

confidentiality agreements with employees, and our 
trademarks, trade secrets, copyrights and patents to 
protect our proprietary rights. These legal protections 
and precautions may not prevent misappropriation of 
our proprietary information. In addition, substantial 
litigation regarding intellectual property rights exists in the 
software industry, and we expect software products to be 
increasingly subject to third-party infringement claims as 
the number of products and competitors in this industry 

segment grows. Such litigation and misappropriation of our 
proprietary information could hinder our ability to market 
and sell products and services and our results of operations, 
financial position and cash flows could be materially and 
adversely affected. 

Our ability to obtain funds from some of our subsidiaries 
is restricted and if we are unable to obtain sufficient funds 
from our subsidiaries to fund our obligations, our results 
of operations, financial position and cash flow could be 
materially and adversely affected.  

Because we operate as a holding company, we are 
dependent upon dividends and administrative expense 
reimbursements from some of our subsidiaries to fund our 
obligations. Many of these subsidiaries are regulated by 
departments of insurance or similar regulatory authorities 
outside the United States such as the ANS in Brazil. 
We are also required by law or regulation to maintain 
specific prescribed minimum amounts of capital in these 
subsidiaries. The levels of capitalization required depend 
primarily upon the volume of premium revenues generated 
by the applicable subsidiary. A significant increase in 
premium volume will require additional capitalization from 
us. In most states, we are required to seek prior approval 
by state regulatory authorities before we transfer money or 
pay dividends from our regulated subsidiaries that exceed 
specified amounts. An inability of our regulated subsidiaries 
to pay dividends to their parent companies in the desired 
amounts or at the time of our choosing could adversely 
affect our ability to reinvest in our business through capital 
expenditures or business acquisitions, as well as our ability 
to maintain our corporate quarterly dividend payment 
cycle, repurchase shares of our common stock and repay 
our debt. If we are unable to obtain sufficient funds from 
our subsidiaries to fund our obligations, our results of 
operations, financial position, and cash flow could be 
materially and adversely affected.

Any downgrades in our credit ratings could adversely 
affect our business, financial condition and results of 
operations.  

Claims paying ability, financial strength, and credit 

ratings by Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating 
Organizations are important factors in establishing the 
competitive position of insurance companies. Ratings 
information is broadly disseminated and generally used 
throughout the industry. We believe our claims paying 
ability and financial strength ratings are important factors 
in marketing our products to certain of our customers. Our 
credit ratings impact both the cost and availability of future 
borrowings. Each of the credit rating agencies reviews its 
ratings periodically. Our ratings reflect each credit rating 
agency’s opinion of our financial strength, operating 
performance and ability to meet our debt obligations or 
obligations to policyholders. There can be no assurance that 
our current credit ratings will be maintained in the future. 
Downgrades in our credit ratings, should they occur, could 
materially increase our costs of or ability to access funds 
in the debt and capital markets and otherwise materially 
increase our operating costs.

2013 FORM 10-K

23

ITEM 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments

None. 

ITEM  2. 

Properties 

To support our business operations in the United States 
and other countries we own and lease real properties. Our 
various reportable segments use these facilities for their 
respective business purposes, and we believe these current 
facilities are suitable for their respective uses and are 
adequate for our anticipated future needs.

ITEM 3. 

Legal Proceedings

The information required by this Item 3 is incorporated 
herein by reference to the information set forth under 
the captions “Litigation Matters” and “Governmental 
Investigations, Audits and Reviews” in Note 12 of Notes to 
the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8, 
“Financial Statements.”

ITEM  4. 

Mine Safety Disclosures

Not Applicable.

PART II 

ITEM 5. 

 Market For Registrant’s Common 
Equity, Related Stockholder 
Matters And Issuer Purchases Of 
Equity Securities 

MARKET PRICES AND HOLDERS 
Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock 
Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol UNH. On January 31, 
2014, there were 14,575 registered holders of record of 
our common stock. The per share high and low common 
stock sales prices reported by the NYSE and cash dividends 
declared were as follows:  

2013 
First quarter 
Second quarter 
Third quarter 
Fourth quarter 

2012
First quarter 
Second quarter 
Third quarter 
Fourth quarter  

High 
$58.26 
$66.19 
$75.88 
$75.54 

Low 
$51.36 
$57.01 
$64.65 
$66.72 

Cash 
Dividends 
Declared
$0.2125
$0.2800
$0.2800
$0.2800

$59.43 
$60.75 
$59.31 
$58.29 

$49.82 
$53.78 
$50.32 
$51.09 

$0.1625
$0.2125
$0.2125
$0.2125

 
 
 
 
 
24

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

DIVIDEND POLICY 
In June 2013, our Board of Directors increased the Company’s cash dividend to shareholders to an annual dividend rate of 
$1.12 per share, paid quarterly. Since June 2012, we had paid an annual cash dividend of $0.85 per share, paid quarterly. 
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.

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities (a)
Fourth Quarter 2013

For the Month Ended 

October 31, 2013 
November 30, 2013 
December 31, 2013 
Total 

Total Number 
of Shares 
Purchased 

(in millions) 

1 
— 
11  
12 

Average Price 
Paid per Share 

$ 

$ 

68 
— 
71 
71 

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

(in millions) 
1 
— 
11 
12

(in millions)
94
94
83

(a) In November 1997, our Board of Directors adopted a share repurchase program, which the Board evaluates periodically. 
In June 2013, the Board renewed and expanded our share repurchase program with an authorization to repurchase up 
to 110 million shares of our common stock in open market purchases or other types of transactions (including structured 
repurchase programs). There is no established expiration date for the program. 

PERFORMANCE GRAPHS 
The following two performance graphs compare our 
total return to shareholders with the returns of indexes 
of other specified companies and the S&P 500 Index. 
The first graph compares the cumulative five-year total 
return to shareholders on our common stock relative to 
the cumulative total returns of the S&P 500 index and a 
customized peer group of certain Fortune 50 companies 
(the “Fortune 50 Group”) for the five-year period ended 
December 31, 2013. The second graph compares our 
cumulative total return to shareholders with the S&P 500 
Index and an index of a group of peer companies selected 
by us for the five-year period ended December 31, 2013. 

We are not included in either the Fortune 50 Group index 
in the first graph or the peer group index in the second 
graph. In calculating the cumulative total shareholder 
return of the indexes, the shareholder returns of the 
Fortune 50 Group companies in the first graph and the 
peer group companies in the second graph are weighted 
according to the stock market capitalizations of the 
companies at January 1 of each year. The comparisons 
assume the investment of $100 on December 31, 2008 in 
our common stock and in each index, and that dividends 
were reinvested when paid.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FORTUNE 50 GROUP 
The Fortune 50 Group consists of the following companies: American International Group, Inc., Berkshire Hathaway Inc., 
Cardinal Health, Inc., Citigroup Inc., General Electric Company, International Business Machines Corporation and Johnson & 
Johnson. Although there are differences among the companies in terms of size and industry, like UnitedHealth Group, all of 
these companies are large multi-segment companies using a well-defined operating model in one or more broad sectors of 
the economy. 

COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
Among UnitedHealth Group, the S&P 500 Index, and Fortune 50 Group

2013 FORM 10-K

25

$350

$300

$250

$200

$150

$100

$50

0
12/08

12/09

12/10

12/11

12/12

12/13

UnitedHealth Group

S&P 500

Fortune 50 Group

UnitedHealth Group 
S&P 500 Index 
Fortune 50 Group 

12/08 
$  100.00
100.00 
100.00 

12/09 
$  114.75
126.46 
111.82 

12/10 
$  137.58 
145.51 
132.11 

12/11 
$  195.62 
148.59 
132.08 

12/12 
$  212.42 
172.37 
156.49 

12/13
$  299.58
228.19
200.00

The stock price performance included in this graph is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance. 

PEER GROUP 
The companies included in our peer group are Aetna Inc., Cigna Corporation, Humana Inc. and WellPoint, Inc. We believe 
that this peer group reflects publicly traded peers to our UnitedHealthcare businesses. 

COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
Among UnitedHealth Group, the S&P 500 Index, and a Peer Group

$350

$300

$250

$200

$150

$100

$50

$0

12/08

12/09

12/10

12/11

12/12

12/13

UnitedHealth Group

S&P 500

Peer Group

UnitedHealth Group 
S&P 500 Index 
Peer Group 

12/08 

$  100.00 
100.00 
100.00 

12/09 
$  114.75 
126.46 
134.91 

12/010 
$  137.58 
145.51 
137.44 

12/11 
$  195.62 
148.59 
178.55 

12/12 
$  212.42 
172.37 
180.35 

12/13
$  299.58
228.19
280.25

The stock price performance included in this graph is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
26

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

ITEM 6.

Selected Financial Data 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 

(in millions, except percentages and per share data) 
Consolidated operating results

Revenues 
Earnings from operations 
Net earnings attributable to 
  UnitedHealth Group common shareholders 
Return on equity (b) 
Basic earnings per share attributable to  
  UnitedHealth Group common shareholders 
Diluted earnings per share attributable to  
  UnitedHealth Group common shareholders 
Cash dividends declared per common share 

Consolidated cash flows from (used for) 

Operating activities 
Investing activities 
Financing activities 

Consolidated financial condition

(as of December 31)
Cash and investments 
Total assets 
Total commercial paper and long-term debt 
Redeemable noncontrolling interests 
Shareholders’ equity 
Debt to debt-plus-equity ratio 

2013 

For the Year Ended December 31,
2012 (a) 
2010 
2011 

2009

$ 122,489 
9,623 

$ 110,618 
9,254 

$ 101,862 
8,464 

$  94,155 
7,864 

$  87,138
6,359

5,625 

17.7% 

5,526 

18.7% 

5,142 

18.9% 

4,634 

18.7% 

3,822

17.3%

$ 

5.59 

$ 

5.38 

$      4.81 

$ 

4.14 

$ 

3.27

5.50 
  1.0525 

5.28 
  0.8000 

4.73 
  0.6125 

4.10 
  0.4050 

3.24
  0.0300

$  6,991 
(3,089) 
      (4,946) 

$  7,155 
(8,649) 
         471  

$  6,968 
(4,172) 
    (2,490)  

$  6,273 
(5,339) 
     (1,611) 

$  5,625
(976)
(2,275)

$  28,818 
  81,882 
  16,860 
1,175 
  32,149 

$  29,148 
  80,885 
  16,754 
2,121 
  31,178 

$  28,172 
  67,889 
  11,638 
— 
  28,292 

$  25,902 
  63,063 
  11,142 
— 
  25,825 

$  24,350
  59,045
  11,173
—
  23,606

34.4% 

35.0% 

29.1% 

30.1% 

32.1%

(a)  Includes the effects of the October 2012 Amil acquisition and related debt and equity issuances. 
(b)  Return on equity is calculated as 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 the four quarters of the year presented. 

Financial Highlights should be read with the accompanying “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition 
and Results of Operations” in Item 7 and the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to the Consolidated Financial 
Statements included in Item 8, “Financial Statements.”

ITEM 7. 

 Management’s Discussion And 
Analysis Of Financial Condition  
And Results Of Operations

The following discussion should be read together with the 
accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes 
to the Consolidated Financial Statements thereto. Readers 
are cautioned that the statements, estimates, projections 
or outlook contained in this report, including discussions 
regarding financial prospects, economic conditions, trends 
and uncertainties contained in this Item 7, may constitute 
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the 
PSLRA. These forward-looking statements involve risks and 
uncertainties that may cause our actual results to differ 
materially from the expectations expressed or implied in 
the forward-looking statements. A description of some of 
the risks and uncertainties can be found further below in 
this Item 7 and in Item 1A, “Risk Factors.” 

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW 

GENERAL
UnitedHealth Group is a diversified health and well-being 
company dedicated to helping people live healthier lives 
and making the health system work better for everyone. 
We offer a broad spectrum of products and services 
through two distinct platforms: UnitedHealthcare, which 
provides health care coverage and benefits services; and 
Optum, which provides information and technology-
enabled health services.
   We have four reportable segments across our two 
business platforms, UnitedHealthcare and Optum:

•   UnitedHealthcare, which includes UnitedHealthcare 

Employer & Individual, UnitedHealthcare Medicare & 
Retirement, UnitedHealthcare Community & State and 
UnitedHealthcare International;

•   OptumHealth;

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
•  Opt umInsight; and
•  Opt umRx.

   Further information on our business and reportable 
segments is presented in Item 1, “Business” and in Note 
13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8, 
“Financial Statements.”

2014 Business Realignment. On January 1, 2014, we 
realigned certain of our businesses to respond to 
changes in the markets we serve and the opportunities 
that are emerging as the health system evolves. Our 
Optum business platform took responsibility for certain 
technology operations and business processing activities 
with the intention of pursuing additional third-party 
commercial opportunities in addition to continuing to serve 
UnitedHealthcare. These activities, which were historically 
a corporate function, will be included in OptumInsight’s 
results of operations. Our periodic filings with the SEC 
beginning with our first quarter 2014 Form 10-Q will 
include historical segment results restated to reflect the 
effect of this realignment and will continue to present 
the same four reportable segments (UnitedHealthcare, 
OptumHealth, OptumInsight and OptumRx).

BUSINESS TRENDS
Our businesses participate in the U.S., Brazilian and certain 
other international health economies. In the United States, 
health care spending comprises approximately 18% of 
gross domestic product and has grown consistently for 
many years. We expect overall spending on health care to 
continue to grow in the future, due to inflation, medical 
technology and pharmaceutical advancement, regulatory 
requirements, demographic trends in the population and 
national interest in health and well-being. The rate of 
market growth may be affected by a variety of factors, 
including macro-economic conditions and regulatory 
changes, including enacted health care reforms in the 
United States, which could also impact our results of 
operations.

Pricing Trends. We seek to price our health care benefit 
products consistent with anticipated underlying 
medical trends, while balancing growth, margins, and 
competitive dynamics (such as product positioning and 
price competitiveness) and legislative and regulatory 
changes such as cost increases for the industry fees and 
tax provisions of Health Reform Legislation. We continue 
to expect premium rates to be under pressure from 
ongoing market competition in commercial products 
and from government payment rates. Aggregating 
UnitedHealthcare’s businesses, and before giving effect to 
Health Reform Legislation taxes, we believe the medical 
care ratio will rise over time as we continue to grow in the 
senior and public markets and participate in the emerging 
public health benefit exchange market. 
   In response to Health Reform Legislation, HHS established 
a review threshold of annual commercial premium rate 
increases generally at or above 10% and enacted a new 
rule requiring the production of information for any 
proposed rate increase. HHS review does not supersede 

2013 FORM 10-K

27

existing state review and approval procedures. We have 
experienced regulatory challenges to appropriate premium 
rate increases in several states, including California and 
New York. The competitive forces common in our markets 
do not support unjustifiable rate increases. Further, 
our rates and rate filings are developed using methods 
consistent with the standards of actuarial practices and 
we endeavor to sustain a commercial medical care ratio 
in a stable range for an equivalent mix of business. We 
have requested and received rate increases above 10% in 
a number of markets due to the combination of medical 
cost trends and the incremental costs of health care reform. 
We expect commercial pricing to continue to be highly 
competitive. The intensity of pricing competition depends 
on local market conditions and competitive dynamics. 
Overall, the industry has experienced lower medical costs 
trends due to moderated utilization, which has impacted 
pricing trends. Conversely, carriers are generally reflecting 
the 2014 Health Reform Legislation industry fees in their 
pricing. In some markets, competitors have adjusted their 
pricing to reflect recent medical cost trend experience 
as well as the implication of rate review rules and new 
benefit changes from Health Reform Legislation. In other 
areas we are seeing greater price competition due to 
pricing adjustments and other varied approaches used by 
competitors.  
   The Medicare Advantage rate structure is changing 
and funding has been cut in recent years, with additional 
reductions to take effect in 2014 and 2015, as discussed 
below in “Regulatory Trends and Uncertainties.” We expect 
these factors to result in year-over-year pressure on gross 
margin percentages for our Medicare business during 2014. 
   States are struggling to balance budget pressures with 
increases in their Medicaid expenditures. During 2013, 
rate changes for some Medicaid programs were slightly 
negative year-over-year. In general, we expect continued 
pressure on net margin percentages due to the Medicaid 
reimbursement rate environment, which we expect will 
remain tight due to the potential non-collectability of 
the insurer fee primarily related to Medicare Dual SNP 
programs and Medicaid. We continue to work with our 
state customers to advocate for actuarially sound rates that 
are commensurate with our medical cost trends, including 
fees and related taxes, and to take a prudent, market-
sustainable posture for both new bids and maintenance of 
existing Medicaid contracts.

Medical Cost Trends. We expect our 2014 commercial 
medical cost trend to be in the range of 6.0% plus or 
minus 50 basis points, compared to approximately 5% in 
2013. In 2014, we expect relatively consistent unit cost 
and utilization trends compared to 2013, before taking 
into account reform impacts. The impact of Health Reform 
Legislation and mandates is expected to pressure 2014 
medical cost trends. Driving the increases are mandated 
essential health benefits and limits on out-of-pocket 
maximums. Consistent with recent years, our 2014 trend 
is expected to be driven primarily by continued unit cost 
pressure from health care providers. We expect 2014 

28

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

pharmacy trends to be consistent with 2013. The primary 
drivers of prescription drug trends continue to be unit 
cost pressure on brand name drugs and a shift towards 
expensive new specialty drugs. In recent years, the recent 
weak economic environment combined with our medical 
cost management strategies has had a favorable impact 
on utilization trends. We believe the expected stability in 
the utilization trends in 2014 is influenced by our medical 
management strategies, our continued focus on value-
based contracting arrangements and greater consumer 
engagement.

Delivery System and Payment Modernization. The health 
care market is changing based on demographic shifts, new 
regulations, political forces and both payer and patient 
expectations. Health plans and care providers are being 
called upon to work together to close gaps in care and 
improve overall care for people, improve the health of 
populations and reduce costs. The focus on delivery system 
modernization and payment reform is critical and the 
alignment of incentives between key constituents remains 
an important theme. 
   Through expansion of our existing programs and the 
creation of new programs, we are increasingly rewarding 
care providers for delivering improvements in quality 
and cost-efficiency. As of December 31, 2013, more than 
2 million people we serve were directly aligned through 
the most progressive of these arrangements, including 
full risk, shared risk and bundled episode of care payment 
approaches. 
   This trend is also creating needs for health management 
services that can coordinate care around the primary care 
physician, including new primary care channels, and for 
investment in new clinical and administrative information 
and management systems, providing growth opportunities 
for our Optum business platform. 

Government Reliance on Private Sector.  The government, 
as a benefit sponsor, has been increasingly relying on 
private sector programs. We expect this trend to continue 
as we believe the private sector provides a more flexible, 
better managed, higher quality health care experience than 
do traditional passive indemnity programs typically used in 
governmental benefit programs. 
   Many states are expanding their interest in managed 
care with particular emphasis on consumers who have 
complex and expensive health care needs. Medicaid 
managed care is increasingly viewed as an effective method 
to improve quality and manage costs. For example, there 
are nearly 10 million dually eligible beneficiaries who 
typically have complex conditions, with costs of care 
that are far higher than those of a typical Medicare or 
Medicaid beneficiary. Similarly, a small but complex group 
of nearly 4 million individuals who qualify for additional 
benefits under LTC programs represent only 6% of the 
total Medicaid population yet account for more than 
30% of total Medicaid expenditures. The long-term care 
market represents a portion of the more than 15 million 
ABD Americans. While these individuals’ health needs are 

more complex and more costly, they have primarily been 
historically served in unmanaged environments. These 
markets provide UnitedHealthcare and Optum with an 
opportunity to work with governments to improve the 
health status of these populations through coordination 
of care. As of December 31, 2013, UnitedHealthcare 
served more than 275,000 people in legacy dually eligible 
programs through Medicare Advantage and SNPs. In the 
first half of 2014, UnitedHealthcare Community & State will 
help implement Integrated MME program awards in three 
states. 

REGULATORY TRENDS AND UNCERTAINTIES
Following is a summary of management’s view of the trends 
and uncertainties related to some of the key provisions of 
Health Reform Legislation and other regulatory items; for 
additional information regarding Health Reform Legislation 
and regulatory trends and uncertainties, see Item 1, 
“Business - Government Regulation” and Item 1A, “Risk 
Factors.”

Medicare Advantage Rates and Minimum Loss Ratios. 
Medicare Advantage payment benchmarks have been 
cut over the last several years, including 2013, with 
additional funding reductions to be phased-in through 
2017. Additionally, Congress passed the Budget Control 
Act of 2011, which as amended by the American Taxpayer 
Relief Act of 2012, triggered automatic across-the-board 
budget cuts (known as sequestration), including a 2% 
reduction in Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D 
payments beginning April 1, 2013. The CMS final notice of 
2014 Medicare Advantage benchmark rates and payment 
policies includes significant reductions to 2014 Medicare 
Advantage payments, including the benchmark reductions 
described previously. These reductions and Health Reform 
Legislation insurance industry tax described below result in 
revenue reductions and incremental assessments totaling 
more than 4% in 2014, against a typical industry forward 
medical cost trend outlook of 3%. The impact of these cuts 
to our Medicare Advantage revenues is partially mitigated 
by reductions in provider reimbursements for those care 
providers with rates indexed to Medicare Advantage 
revenues or Medicare fee-for-service reimbursement rates. 
Compared to 2013, and prior to any efforts to mitigate 
these funding reductions, we estimate that the net impact 
on our 2014 consolidated after-tax earnings will be 
approximately $0.9 billion. These factors affected our plan 
benefit designs, market participation, growth prospects 
and earnings potential for our Medicare Advantage plans 
in 2014. Further, beginning in 2014, Medicare Advantage 
and Medicare Part D plans will be required to have 
minimum MLRs of 85%. We do not believe the minimum 
MLR standard will have a material impact on our earnings. 
CMS is expected to release the proposed 2015 Medicare 
Advantage Rates on February 21, 2014. We expect sustained 
Medicare Advantage rate pressures in 2015 due to the 
continuing effect of the factors described above. 
   Health Reform Legislation directed HHS to establish a 
program to reward high-quality Medicare Advantage plans 

beginning in 2012. Accordingly, our Medicare Advantage 
rates are currently enhanced by CMS quality bonuses in 
certain counties based on a plan’s star rating. The level of 
star ratings from CMS, based upon specified clinical and 
operational performance standards, will impact future 
quality bonuses. In addition, star ratings affect the amount 
of savings a plan has to generate to offer supplemental 
benefits, which ultimately may affect the plan’s revenue. 
The current expanded stars bonus program that pays 
bonuses to qualifying plans rated 3 stars or higher is set to 
expire after 2014. In 2015, quality bonus payments will only 
be paid to 4 and 5 star plans. For the 2014 payment year, 
approximately 57% of our current Medicare Advantage 
members are enrolled in plans that will be rated 3.5 stars or 
higher and approximately 9% are enrolled in plans that will 
be rated 4 stars or higher. For the 2015 payment year, based 
on scoring released by CMS in October 2013, approximately 
70% of our current Medicare Advantage members are 
enrolled in plans that will be rated 3.5 stars or higher and 
approximately 24% are enrolled in plans that will be rated 
4 stars or higher.  
   The ongoing reductions to Medicare Advantage 
funding place continued importance on effective medical 
management and ongoing improvements in administrative 
efficiency. There are a number of adjustments we can make 
and are making to partially offset these rate reductions. 
These adjustments will impact the majority of the seniors 
we serve through Medicare Advantage. For example, 
we seek to intensify our medical and operating cost 
management, make changes to the size and composition 
of our care provider networks, adjust members’ benefits, 
implement or increase member premiums over and above 
the monthly payments we receive from the government, 
and decide on a county-by-county basis where we will offer 
Medicare Advantage plans. The depth of the underfunding 
of these benefits has caused us to exit certain plans and 
market areas for 2014 in which we served approximately 
150,000 Medicare Advantage beneficiaries in 2013. In other 
markets, we may experience some reduction in membership 
in the plans with the greatest benefit cuts, but expect 
stable or growing membership in our strongest markets. 
We are dedicating substantial resources to improving our 
quality scores and star ratings to improve the performance 
and sustainability of our local market programs for 2016 
and beyond. 
   In the longer term, we also may be able to mitigate 
some of the effects of reduced funding by increasing 
enrollment due, in part, to the increasing number of 
people eligible for Medicare in coming years. As Medicare 
Advantage reimbursement changes, other products may 
become relatively more attractive to Medicare beneficiaries 
increasing the demand for other senior health benefits 
products such as our Medicare Supplement and Medicare 
Part D insurance offerings.

Industry Fees and Taxes. Health Reform Legislation includes 
an annual, non-deductible insurance industry tax to be 
levied proportionally across the insurance industry for risk-
based products, beginning January 1, 2014. The industry-

2013 FORM 10-K

29

wide amount of the annual tax is $8 billion in 2014, $11.3 
billion in 2015 and 2016, $13.9 billion in 2017 and $14.3 
billion in 2018. For 2019 and beyond, the amount will equal 
the annual tax for the preceding year increased by the rate 
of premium growth for the preceding year. The annual 
tax will be allocated to each market participant based 
on the ratio of the entity’s net premiums written during 
the preceding calendar year to the total health insurance 
industry’s net premiums written for any U.S. health risk-
based products during the preceding calendar year, subject 
to certain exceptions. This tax will first be expensed ratably 
throughout 2014 and our first payment will be made in 
September 2014.  
   With the introduction of state health insurance exchanges 
and other significant market reforms in the individual and 
small group markets in 2014, Health Reform Legislation 
includes three programs designed to stabilize the 
health insurance markets. These programs encompass: a 
transitional reinsurance program; a temporary risk corridors 
program; and a permanent risk adjustment program. 
The transitional reinsurance program is a temporary 
program that will be funded on a per capita basis from all 
commercial lines of business including insured and self-
funded arrangements, $25 billion over a three-year period 
beginning in 2014 of which $20 billion, subject to increases 
based on state decisions, will fund the reinsurance pool and 
$5 billion will fund the U.S. Treasury (Reinsurance Program). 
While funding for the Reinsurance Program will come from 
all commercial lines of business, only non-grandfathered, 
market reform compliant individual business will be eligible 
for reinsurance recoveries.  
   We expect our share of the industry fee to be 
approximately $1.3 billion to $1.4 billion in 2014. We 
estimate a significant increase of approximately 500 basis 
points in our 2014 effective income tax rate because this 
fee is not deductible. We estimate that the 2014 effect 
on earnings from operations due to our tax deductible 
contributions to the Reinsurance Program will be 
approximately $0.5 billion in 2014, payable in 2015. We 
do not expect material payments or receipts related to 
the temporary risk corridors program, permanent risk 
adjustment program or reinsurance recoveries in 2014. Our 
2014 results of operations will include estimates related to 
these fees and programs. To the extent possible, we include 
the reform fees and related tax impacts in our pricing, 
which is expected to result in $1.4 billion to $1.6 billion of 
additional premium in 2014. Since the industry fee will be 
included in operating costs, we expect our medical care 
ratio to decrease in 2014 compared to historical results; 
the industry fee cost will be factored in, however, when 
calculating minimum MLR rebates.

Exchanges and Coverage Expansion. Across markets, 
we and our competitors are adapting product, network 
and marketing strategies to anticipate new distribution 
or expanding distribution channels including public 
exchanges, private exchanges and off exchange purchasing. 
Effective in 2014, states may create their own public 
exchange, enter a partnership exchange or rely on the 

30

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

federally facilitated exchange for individuals and small 
employers, with enrollment processes that commenced 
in October 2013. Exchanges create new market dynamics 
that could impact our existing businesses, depending on 
the ultimate member migration patterns for each market, 
the pace of migration in the market and the impact of the 
migration on our established membership. For example, 
over time certain employers may no longer offer health 
benefits to their employees and some employers purchasing 
full risk products could convert to self-funded programs. 
Our level of participation in public exchanges has been and 
will continue to be determined on a state-by-state basis. 
Each state is evaluated based on factors such as growth 
opportunities, our current local presence, our competitive 
positioning, our ability to honor our commitments to 
our local customers and members and the regulatory 
environment. In 2014, we are participating in 13 exchanges 
in 10 states and the District of Columbia, including four 
individual and nine SHOP exchanges. 
   Health Reform Legislation and related U.S. Supreme 
Court ruling also provide for optional expanded Medicaid 
coverage effective in January 2014. These measures remain 
subject to implementation at the state level, with varying 
levels of state adoption planned for January 1, 2014. We 
participate in programs in 24 states and the District of 
Columbia, and of these, more than half have opted to 
expand Medicaid.

Individual & Small Group Market Reforms. Health Reform 
Legislation includes several provisions, for most individual 
and small group plans with plan years beginning on 
January 1, 2014, that are expected to alter the individual 
and small group marketplace, including, among other 
matters: (1) adjusted community rating requirements, 
which will change how individual and small group plans 
are priced in many states; (2) essential health benefit 
requirements, which will result in benefit changes for 
many individual and small group policyholders; (3) 
actuarial value requirements, which will significantly 
impact benefit designs in the individual market, such as 
member cost sharing requirements; and (4) guaranteed 
issue requirements, which will require carriers to provide 
coverage to any qualified group or individual. These 
changes have resulted in significant benefit design and 
pricing changes for a substantial portion of the fully 
insured individual and small group markets. In 2014, we 
expect a decrease in individual membership due to a 
reduction in the number of states in which we will offer 
policies to new customers.

RESULTS SUMMARY

The following table summarizes our consolidated results of operations and other financial information:

2013 FORM 10-K

31

(in millions, except percentages and per share data)

Revenues:

Premiums
Services 
Products 
Investment and other income 

For the Years Ended December 31, 
2012

2011

2013

Increase/ 
(Decrease) 
2013 vs. 2012

Increase/ 
(Decrease)
2012 vs. 2011

$109,557
8,997 
3,190 
745 

$ 99,728
7,437 
2,773 
680 

$ 91,983
6,613 
2,612 
654 

$ 9,829
1,560 
417 
65 

10% $ 7,745
824 
21 
161 
15 
26 
10 

8%
12
6
4

Total revenues 

  122,489 

  110,618 

  101,862 

  11,871 

11 

8,756 

9

Operating costs:
Medical costs 
Operating costs 
Cost of products sold 
Depreciation and amortization 

Total operating costs 

Earnings from operations 
Interest expense 

Earnings before income taxes 
Provision for income taxes 

Net earnings 
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests 

  89,290 
  19,362 
2,839 
1,375 
  112,866 

  80,226 
  17,306 
2,523 
1,309 
  101,364 

  74,332 
  15,557 
2,385 
1,124 
  93,398 

9,064 
2,056 
316 
66 
  11,502 

9,623 
         (708) 

9,254 
        (632) 

8,464 
        (505) 

8,915  
(3,242) 

       8,622  
     (3,096) 

       7,959  
     (2,817) 

369 
76 

293 
146 

11 
12 
13 
5 
11 

4 
12 

3 
5 

       5,673          5,526           5,142              147 

(48)               —                 —   

    3 
48  — 

5,894 
1,749 
138 
185 
7,966 

790 
127 

663 
279 

384 
— 

8
11
6
16
9

9 
25

8
10

7 
nm

Net earnings attributable to 
   UnitedHealth Group common shareholders              $    5,625      $   5,526    $    5,142   $ 

99         2%  $ 

384 

  7%

Diluted earnings per share attributable to  
   UnitedHealth Group common shareholders 
Medical care ratio (a) 
Operating cost ratio 
Operating margin 
Tax rate 
Net margin 
Return on equity (b) 

$ 

5.50  $ 
81.5%  
15.8 
7.9 
36.4 
4.6 
17.7%  

5.28  $ 
80.4%  
15.6 
8.4 
35.9 
5.0 
18.7 % 

0.22 

4.73  $ 
80.8%           1.1%    
15.3 
8.3 
35.4 
5.0 
18.9 % 

0.2 
         (0.5) 
          0.5 
         (0.4) 

(1.0)% 

4%  $ 

0.55 

12%

         (0.4)%

0.3

                  0.1  
                  0.5
                   —

         (0.2)%

nm= not meaningful
(a)  Medical care ratio is calculated as medical costs divided by premium revenue.
(b)  Return on equity is calculated as 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 the four quarters in the year presented. 

SELECTED OPERATING PERFORMANCE AND 
OTHER SIGNIFICANT ITEMS

The following represents a summary of select 2013 year-
over-year operating comparisons to 2012 and other 2013 
significant items.

•  Cons olidated revenues increased by 11%, 

UnitedHealthcare revenues increased by 10% and 
Optum revenues grew by 26%. 

•  Ear nings from operations increased by 4%, including a 
decrease of 6% at UnitedHealthcare and an increase of 
61% at Optum.

•  U nitedHealthcare medical enrollment grew organically 
by 4.5 million people, including 2.9 million military 
beneficiaries through the TRICARE contract. Medicare 

Part D stand-alone membership grew by 725,000 
people. 

•   OptumRx completed the insourcing of pharmacy services 
for 12 million new and migrating customers served by 
UnitedHealthcare.

•   The consolidated medical care ratio of 81.5% increased 

110 basis points.

•   As of December 31, 2013, there was $1.0 billion of cash 
available for general corporate use and 2013 cash flows 
from operations were $7.0 billion. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
32

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

2013 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 
COMPARED TO 2012 RESULTS

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL RESULTS
Revenues
The increases in revenues during 2013 were primarily driven 
by the full year effect of 2012 acquisitions, including Amil, 
growth in the number of individuals served through benefit 
products and overall organic growth in each of Optum’s 
major businesses. The revenue impact of these factors was 
partially offset by the reduction in Medicare Advantage 
rates. Also offsetting the revenue increase was the first 
quarter conversion of a large fully-insured commercial 
customer from a risk-based to a fee-based arrangement 
affecting 1.1 million members. While this conversion 
reduced our full-year 2013 consolidated revenues by $2.3 
billion, the impact to earnings from operations and cash 
flows was negligible.

Medical Costs and Medical Care Ratio
Medical costs during 2013 increased due to risk-based 
membership growth in our international and public and 

senior markets businesses, partially offset by the funding 
conversion of the large client discussed above. The year-
over-year medical care ratio increased primarily due to 
funding reductions for Medicare Advantage products, 
changes in business mix favoring governmental benefit 
programs, and reduced levels of favorable medical cost 
reserve development for the year ended December 31, 
2013 of $680 million, compared to $860 million for the year 
ended December 31, 2012.

Operating Costs
The increase in our operating costs during 2013 was due 
to business growth, including an increase in fee-based 
benefits and fee-based service revenues and a greater 
mix of international business, which carry comparatively 
higher operating costs, partially offset by our ongoing cost 
containment efforts.

The following table presents reportable segment financial information:

(in millions, except percentages) 

Revenues:
UnitedHealthcare 

OptumHealth 
OptumInsight 
OptumRx 

Total Optum 

Eliminations 

Consolidated revenues 

Earnings from operations
UnitedHealthcare 

OptumHealth 
OptumInsight 
OptumRx 

Total Optum 

For the Years Ended December 31, 
2012 

2013 

2011 

2013 FORM 10-K

33

Increase/ 
(Decrease) 
2013 vs. 2012 

Increase/ 
(Decrease)
2012 vs. 2011

$ 113,829  $ 103,419  $  95,336  $  10,410  10% 

$  8,083 

8%

9,855 
3,174 
  24,006 

8,147 
2,882 
  18,359 

6,704 
2,671 

22
8
  19,278           5,647      31                 (919)      (5)

1,708      21 
292  10 

1,443 
          211 

  37,035 
  (28,375) 

  29,388 
  (22,189) 

  28,653 
  (22,127) 

7,647  26 
6,186  28 

735 

3
62  —

$ 122,489  $ 110,618  $ 101,862  $  11,871      11%  $  8,756 

9%

$  7,309  $  7,815  $  7,203  $      (506)      (6)%  $ 

612 

8%

976 
603 
735 
2,314 

561 
485 
393 
1,439 

415  74                  138      33
423 
381 
27
118  24 
457              342      87                   (64)   (14)
14

875      61 

178 

104 

1,261 

Consolidated earnings from operations 

$  9,623  $  9,254  $  8,464  $ 

369 

4% 

$ 

790 

9%

Operating margin 
UnitedHealthcare 
OptumHealth 
OptumInsight 
OptumRx 

Total Optum 

Consolidated operating margin 

6.4%  
9.9 
19.0 
3.1 
6.2 
7.9%  

7.6%  
6.9 
16.8 
2.1 
4.9 
8.4%  

7.6%          (1.2)% 
6.3 
14.3 

3.0 
2.2 
2.4               1.0  
4.4 
1.3 
8.3%          (0.5)% 

                 —%
                0.6
2.5
(0.3)
                0.5
                0.1%

UnitedHealthcare
The following table summarizes UnitedHealthcare revenue by business:

(in millions, except percentages) 

UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual 
UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement 
UnitedHealthcare Community & State 
UnitedHealthcare International 

For the Years Ended December 31, 
2012 

2011 

2013 

Increase/ 
(Decrease) 
2013 vs. 2012 

Increase/ 
(Decrease)
2012 vs. 2011

$  44,951  $  46,596  $  45,404  $   (1,645)      (4)%  $  1,192 
12
4,324 
  44,225 
1,468 
  18,268 
10
1,099  nm
6,385 

4,968      13 
1,846      11 
5,241  nm 

  39,257 
  16,422 
1,144 

  34,933 
  14,954 
45 

3%

Total UnitedHealthcare revenue 

$ 113,829  $ 103,419  $  95,336  $  10,410  10% 

$  8,083 

8%

nm = not meaningful 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
          
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
34

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

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

(in thousands, except percentages) 

Commercial risk-based 
Commercial fee-based 
Commercial fee-based TRICARE 

Total commercial 

Medicare Advantage 
Medicaid 
Medicare Supplement (Standardized) 

Total public and senior 

International 

December 31, 
2012 

2011 

2013 

Increase/ 
(Decrease) 
2013 vs. 2012 

Increase/ 
(Decrease)
2012 vs. 2011

8,185 
  19,055 
2,920 

9,340 
  17,585 
— 

9,550 
  16,320 
— 

(1,155)  (12)% 
8 
1,470 
2,920  nm 

        (210)       (2)%

1,265 

8 
—  nm

  30,160 

  26,925 

  25,870 

3,235  12 

1,055 

2,990 
4,035 
3,455 

  10,480 

4,805 

2,565 
3,830 
3,180 

9,575 

4,425 

2,165 
3,600 
2,935 

8,700 

— 

425  17 
5 
205 
9 
275 

905 

380 

9 

9 

4

18
6
8

10

400 
230 
245 

875 

4,425  nm

Total UnitedHealthcare - medical 

  45,445 

  40,925 

  34,570 

4,520  11% 

6,355 

18%

Supplemental Data:

Medicare Part D stand-alone 

nm= not meaningful

4,950 

4,225 

4,855             725       17% 

        (630)    (13)%

The number of people served under commercial risk-
based arrangements decreased in 2013 primarily due to 
the conversion of 1.1 million risk-based consumers of a 
large public sector client to a fee-based arrangement. 
The number of individuals in commercial fee-based 
arrangements increased due to this conversion as well as 
new business awards and strong customer retention. On 
April 1, 2013, UnitedHealthcare Military & Veterans began 
service under the TRICARE West Region Managed Care 
Support Contract. This administrative services contract 
for health care operations added 2.9 million people and 
includes a transition period and five one-year renewals 
at the government’s option. Medicare Advantage 
participation increased due to solid execution in product 
design, marketing and local engagement, which drove 
sales growth. Medicaid growth was due to a combination 
of winning new state accounts and growth within existing 
state customers, partially offset by the first quarter 2013 
divestiture of our Medicaid business in South Carolina and 
a fourth quarter 2012 market withdrawal from one product 
in Wisconsin, which combined affected 235,000 Medicaid 
beneficiaries. Medicare Supplement growth reflected 
strong customer retention and new sales. In our Medicare 
Part D stand-alone business, the number of people served 
increased primarily as a result of new product introductions 
and strong customer retention in the market. International 
represents commercial customers in Brazil added in the 
fourth quarter of 2012 as a result of the Amil acquisition, 
and subsequent organic growth. 

UnitedHealthcare’s revenue growth in 2013 was primarily 

attributable to the impact of 2012 acquisitions and the 
growth in the number of individuals served. The effect 
of these factors was partially offset by the government 
funding reductions described previously and the customer 
funding conversion discussed above.

UnitedHealthcare’s earnings from operations and 

operating margins in 2013 decreased compared to the prior 
year as operating margins were pressured by the funding 
reductions that decreased revenues and by decreased levels 
of favorable reserve development.

Optum 
Total revenues increased in 2013 primarily due to broad-
based growth across Optum’s services portfolio with 
growth in each of Optum’s major businesses led by 
pharmacy growth from the insourcing of UnitedHealthcare 
commercial customers and external clients. 
   Optum’s earnings from operations and operating 
margin in 2013 increased significantly compared to 2012, 
reflecting progress on Optum’s plan to accelerate growth 
and improve productivity by strengthening integration and 
business alignment. 
   The results by segment were as follows:

OptumHealth 
Revenue increases at OptumHealth in 2013 were primarily 
due to market expansion, including growth related to 2012 
acquisitions in local care delivery, and organic growth. 
   Earnings from operations and operating margins in 
2013 increased primarily due to revenue growth and an 
improved cost structure across the business, including local 
care delivery, population health and wellness solutions, and 
health-related financial services offerings.

OptumInsight 
Revenues at OptumInsight in 2013 increased primarily due 
to the impact of a 2012 acquisition and growth in services 
to commercial payers. 
   The increases in earnings from operations and operating 
margins in 2013 reflected increased revenues, changes 
in product mix and continuing improvements in business 
alignment and efficiency.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OptumRx
The increase in OptumRx revenues in 2013 were due to 
the insourcing of UnitedHealthcare’s commercial pharmacy 
benefit programs and growth in both UnitedHealthcare’s 
Medicare Part D members and external clients. Over the 
course of 2013, we completed our transition of 12 million 
migrating and new members to the OptumRx platform 
from a third party. 
   Earnings from operations and operating margins in 2013 
increased primarily due to strong revenue growth, pricing 
disciplines, and greater use of generic medications. 

2012 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS  
COMPARED TO 2011 RESULTS

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL RESULTS

Revenues
Revenue increases in 2012 were driven by growth in 
the number of individuals served and premium rate 
increases related to underlying medical cost trends in our 
UnitedHealthcare businesses and growth in our Optum 
health service and technology offerings.

Medical Costs 
Medical costs increased in 2012 due to risk-based 
membership growth in our public and senior markets 
businesses, unit cost inflation across all businesses and 
continued moderate increases in health system use, 
partially offset by an increase in favorable medical 
reserve development. Unit cost increases represented the 
primary driver of our medical cost trend, with the largest 
contributor being price increases to hospitals. 

Operating Costs
The increases in operating costs for 2012 were due to 
business growth, including increases in revenues from 
UnitedHealthcare fee-based benefits and Optum services, 
which carry comparatively higher operating costs, as well 
as investments in the OptumRx pharmacy management 
services and UnitedHealthcare Military & Veterans 
businesses. 

Income Tax Rate
The increase in our effective income tax rate for 2012 was 
due to the favorable resolution of various tax matters in 
2011, which lowered the 2011 effective income tax rate.

REPORTABLE SEGMENTS

UnitedHealthcare 
UnitedHealthcare’s revenue growth in 2012 was primarily 
due to growth in the number of individuals served, 
commercial premium rate increases related to expected 
increases in underlying medical cost trends and the impact 
of lower premium rebates. 
   UnitedHealthcare’s earnings from operations for 2012 
increased compared to the prior year primarily due to 
the factors that increased revenues combined with an 
improvement in the medical care ratio that was driven 
by effective management of medical costs and increased 

2013 FORM 10-K

35

favorable medical reserve development. The favorable 
development for 2012 was driven by lower than expected 
health system utilization levels and increased efficiency in 
claims handling and processing. 

Optum  
Total revenues increased in 2012 due to business growth 
and 2011 acquisitions at OptumHealth, partially offset by a 
reduction in pharmacy service revenues related to reduced 
levels of UnitedHealthcare Medicare Part D prescription drug 
membership and related prescription volumes.

Optum’s earnings from operations and operating margin 
for 2012 increased compared to 2011 due to improvements 
in operating cost structure stemming from advances in 
business simplification, integration and overall efficiency and 
revenue growth in higher margin products.
The results by segment were as follows:

OptumHealth 
Revenue increases at OptumHealth for 2012 were primarily 
due to market expansion, including growth related to 2011 
acquisitions in integrated care delivery, and strong overall 
business growth.

Earnings from operations for 2012 and operating 

margins increased compared to 2011 primarily due to gains 
in operating efficiency and cost management as well as 
increases in earnings from integrated care operations. 

OptumInsight 
Revenues at OptumInsight for 2012 increased primarily due 
to the impact of growth in compliance services for care 
providers and payment integrity offerings for commercial 
payers, which was partially offset by the June 2011 
divestiture of the clinical trials services business. 
   The increases in earnings from operations and operating 
margins for 2012 reflect an improved mix of services and 
advances in operating efficiency and cost management.

OptumRx 
The decreases in OptumRx revenues in 2012 were due to 
the reduction in UnitedHealthcare Medicare Part D plan 
participants. 

OptumRx earnings from operations and operating 
margins for 2012 decreased primarily due to decreased 
prescription volume in the Medicare Part D business and 
investments to support growth initiatives, which were 
partially offset by earnings contributions from specialty 
pharmacy growth 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-term and 
long-term obligations of our businesses while seeking 

36

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

to maintain liquidity and financial flexibility. Cash flows 
generated from operating activities are principally from 
earnings before non-cash expenses. 

Our regulated subsidiaries generate significant cash flows 

from operations and are subject to financial regulations 
and standards in their respective jurisdictions. These 
standards, among other things, require these subsidiaries 
to maintain specified levels of statutory capital, as defined 
by each jurisdiction, and restrict the timing and amount 
of dividends and other distributions that may be paid to 
their parent companies. In the United States, most of these 
regulations and standards are generally consistent with 
model regulations established by the NAIC. 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 may 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 2013, based on the 2012 statutory net income and 

statutory capital and surplus levels, the maximum amount of 
ordinary dividends that could be paid by our U.S. regulated 
subsidiaries to their parent companies was $4.3 billion. In 
2013, our regulated subsidiaries paid their parent companies 
dividends of $3.2 billion, including $430 million of 
extraordinary dividends. This level of dividends maintained 
our target consolidated risk-based capital level. In 2012, our 
regulated subsidiaries paid their parent companies dividends 
of $4.9 billion, including $1.2 billion of extraordinary 
dividends. 

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

Summary of our Major Sources and Uses of Cash

(in millions) 

Sources of cash: 

Cash provided by operating activities 
Proceeds from common stock issuances 
Proceeds from issuances of long-term debt and 

       commercial paper, net of repayments 

Other 

Total sources of cash 

Uses of cash:

For the Years Ended December 31, 
2012 

2013 

2011 

$  6,991  $  7,155  $  6,968 
381 

1,078 

598 

2013 FORM 10-K

37

Increase/ 
(Decrease) 
2013 vs. 2012 

Increase/ 
(Decrease)
2012 vs. 2011

$    (164) 
 (480) 

             $    187
                  697

152 

4,567 
31                —  

346 
428 

             (4,415) 
                   31   

  4,221
   (428)

7,772 

  12,800 

8,123

Common stock repurchases 
Cash paid for acquisitions and noncontrolling interest 

(3,170) 

(3,084) 

(2,994) 

       (86)  

                    (90)

       shares, net of cash assumed and dispositions  

(1,791) 

(6,599) 

(1,459) 

              4,808                        (5,140)

Purchases of investments,

net of sales and maturities 

Purchases of property, equipment and 

(1,611) 

(1,299) 

(1,695) 

     (312)  

                   396

capitalized software, net 

       (91)  
Cash dividends paid 
                (236)  
Customer funds administered                                                 —             (324)               —                       324   
      600   
Other 

         (627)               —   

(1,161) 
(1,056) 

(1,070) 
(820) 

(1,018) 
(651) 

(27) 

                    (52)
                  (169)
                  (324)
   (627)

Total uses of cash 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 
   and cash equivalents 

(8,816) 

    (13,823)   

(7,817)

(86)                —               —                    nm 

                            nm 

Net (decrease) increase in cash 

$  (1,130)    $    (1,023)  $       306               $    (107)  

 $(1,329)

nm= not meaningful

2013 Cash Flows Compared to 2012 Cash Flows 
Cash flows provided by operating activities in 2013 
decreased due to the net effects of changes in operating 
assets and liabilities, including: (a) an increase in pharmacy 
rebates receivables stemming from the increased 
membership at OptumRx, the effects of which were 
partially offset by (b) increases in medical costs payable due 
to the growth in the number of individuals served in our 
public and senior markets and international businesses. 
Other significant items contributing to the overall 
decrease in cash year-over-year included: (a) decreased 
investments in acquisitions and noncontrolling interest 
shares (the activity in 2013 primarily related to the 
acquisition of the remaining publicly traded shares of Amil 
during the second quarter of 2013 for $1.5 billion); (b) a 
decrease in net proceeds from commercial paper and long-
term debt, as proceeds from 2013 debt issuances were fully 
offset by scheduled maturities and the redemption of all 
of our outstanding subsidiary debt (in 2012, the increased 
cash flows from common stock issuances and proceeds from 
issuances of commercial paper and long-term debt primarily 
related to the Amil acquisition); and (c) increased net 
purchases of investments. 

2012 Cash Flows Compared to 2011 Cash Flows 
Cash flows from operating activities for 2012 increased 
due to increased net income and related tax accruals, 
which were partially offset by the payment in 2012 of 2011 

premium rebate obligations as 2012 was the first year in 
which rebate payments were made under Health Reform 
Legislation.

Other significant items contributing to the overall 
decrease in cash year-over-year included: (a) increased 
investments in acquisitions in 2012; (b) increases in long-
term debt, commercial paper and common stock issuances, 
primarily related to the Amil acquisition; (c) increases in 
cash paid for customer funds related to Medicare Part D 
and increased shareholder dividend payments. 

FINANCIAL CONDITION 
As of December 31, 2013, our cash, cash equivalent and 
available-for-sale investment balances of $28.3 billion 
included $7.3 billion of cash and cash equivalents (of which 
$1.0 billion was available for general corporate use), $19.4 
billion of debt securities and $1.6 billion 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, especially 
those used in valuing our $311 million of available-
for-sale Level 3 securities (those securities priced using 
significant unobservable inputs), may have an effect on the 
estimated fair value amounts of our investments. Due to 
the subjective nature of these assumptions, the estimates 

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
38

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

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 
bank credit facilities, reduce the need to sell investments 
during adverse market conditions. See Note 4 of Notes to 
the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8, 
“Financial Statements” for further detail concerning our 
fair value measurements.

Our cash, cash equivalent and available-for-sale debt 
portfolio had a weighted-average duration of 2.5 years. 
Our available-for-sale debt portfolio had a weighted-
average duration of 3.6 years and a weighted-average 
credit rating of “AA” as of December 31, 2013. Included 
in the debt securities balance was $1.4 billion of state and 
municipal obligations that are guaranteed by a number 
of third parties. Due to the high underlying credit ratings 
of the issuers, the weighted-average credit rating of these 
securities with and without the guarantee was “AA” as 
of December 31, 2013. We do not have any significant 
exposure to any single guarantor (neither indirect through 
the guarantees, nor direct through investment in the 
guarantor). When multiple credit ratings are available for 
an individual security, the average of the available ratings is 
used to determine the weighted-average credit rating.

CAPITAL RESOURCES AND USES OF LIQUIDITY
In addition to cash 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 $4.0 billion 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 
bank credit facilities described below. As of December 31, 
2013, we had $1.1 billion of commercial paper outstanding 
at a weighted-average annual interest rate of 0.2%.

Bank Credit Facilities. We have $3.0 billion five-year and 
$1.0 billion 364-day revolving bank credit facilities with 
23 banks, which mature in November 2018 and November 
2014, respectively. These facilities provide liquidity support 
for our commercial paper program and are available 
for general corporate purposes. There were no amounts 
outstanding under these facilities as of December 31, 2013. 
The interest rates on borrowings are variable depending on 
term and are calculated based on the LIBOR plus a credit 
spread based on our senior unsecured credit ratings. As of 
December 31, 2013, the annual interest rates on both bank 
credit facilities, had they been drawn, would have ranged 
from 1.0% to 1.2%. 
   Our bank credit facilities contain various covenants, 
including covenants requiring us to maintain a debt to 
debt-plus-equity ratio of not more than 50%. Our debt 
to debt-plus-equity ratio, calculated as the sum of debt 
divided by the sum of debt and shareholders’ equity, which 
reasonably approximates the actual covenant ratio, was 
34.4% as of December 31, 2013. We were in compliance 
with our debt covenants as of December 31, 2013.

Long-term Debt. Periodically, we access capital markets 
and issue long-term debt for general corporate purposes, 
for example, to meet our working capital requirements, 
to refinance debt, to finance acquisitions or for share 
repurchases. 
   In February 2013, we issued $2.25 billion in senior 
unsecured notes, which included: $250 million of floating-
rate notes due August 2014, $500 million of 1.625% fixed-
rate notes due March 2019, $750 million of 2.875% fixed-
rate notes due March 2023 and $750 million of 4.250% 
fixed-rate notes due March 2043. 
   In March and April of 2013, we redeemed all of our 
outstanding subsidiary variable rate debt for $619 million. 

Credit Ratings. Our credit ratings at December 31, 2013 were as follows:

Senior unsecured debt 
Commercial paper 

Moody’s 

Ratings 
A3 
P-2 

  Outlook 
  Stable 
  n/a 

 Standard & Poor’s 
  Ratings 
  A 
  A-1 

  Outlook 
  Positive 
  n/a 

  Fitch 

  Ratings 
  A- 
  F1 

  Outlook 
  Stable 
  n/a 

  A.M. Best
  Ratings    Outlook
  Stable
  n/a

  bbb+ 
  AMB-2 

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 
adopted strategies and actions toward maintaining financial 
flexibility to mitigate the impact of such factors on our 
ability to raise capital.

Share Repurchase Program. Under our Board of Directors’ 
authorization, we maintain a share repurchase program. 

The objectives of the share repurchase program are to 
optimize our 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 in open market purchases or 
other types of transactions (including structured share 
repurchase programs), subject to certain Board restrictions. 
In June 2013, our Board renewed and expanded our share 
repurchase program with an authorization to repurchase up 
to 110 million shares of our common stock. As of December 
31, 2013, we had Board authorization to purchase up to an 
additional 83 million shares of our common stock. 

  
Dividends. In June 2013, our Board of Directors increased 
our cash dividend to shareholders to an annual dividend 
rate of $1.12 per share, paid quarterly. Since June 2012, we 
had paid an annual cash dividend of $0.85 per share, paid 
quarterly. 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.

2013 FORM 10-K

39

Amil Tender Offer. We acquired all of Amil’s remaining 
public shares for $1.5 billion in the second quarter of 2013, 
bringing our ownership in Amil to 90%. 

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMITMENTS

The following table summarizes future obligations due by period as of December 31, 2013, under our various contractual 
obligations and commitments: 

(in millions) 
Debt (a) 
Operating leases 
Purchase obligations (b) 
Future policy benefits (c) 
Unrecognized tax benefits (d) 
Other liabilities recorded on the  
   Consolidated Balance Sheet (e) 
Other obligations (f) 
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (g) 

$ 

2014 

2015 to 2016  2017 to 2018 

2,644 
487 
250 
136 
— 

186 
94 
54 

$ 

3,450 
800 
174 
258 
— 

43 
113 
158 

$ 

3,411 
572 
14 
267 
— 

— 
49 
963 

Thereafter 
$  18,147 
544 
— 
1,940 
78 

Total
$  27,652
2,403
438
2,601
78

1,482 
12 
— 

1,711
268
1,175

Total contractual obligations 

$ 

3,851 

$ 

4,996 

$ 

5,276 

$  22,203 

$  36,326

(a)   Includes interest coupon payments and maturities at par or put values. For variable rate debt, the rates in effect 
at December 31, 2013 were used to calculate the interest coupon payments. The table also assumes amounts are 
outstanding through their contractual term. See Note 8 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in

       Item 8, “Financial Statements” for more detail. 
(b)  Includes fixed or minimum commitments under existing purchase obligations for goods and services, including 

agreements that are cancelable with the payment of an early termination penalty. Excludes agreements that are 
cancelable without penalty and excludes liabilities to the extent recorded in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of

       December 31, 2013. 
(c)   Future policy benefits represent account balances that accrue to the benefit of the policyholders, excluding surrender 

charges, for universal life and investment annuity products and for long-duration health policies sold to individuals for 
which some of the premium received in the earlier years is intended to pay benefits to be incurred in future years. See 
Note 2 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8, “Financial Statements” for more detail. 

(d)   As the timing of future settlements is uncertain, they have been classified as due “Thereafter.”
(e)   Includes obligations associated with contingent consideration and other payments related to business acquisitions, 
certain employee benefit programs, and various other long-term liabilities. Due to uncertainty regarding payment 
timing, obligations for employee benefit programs, charitable contributions and other liabilities have been classified as 
“Thereafter.”

(f)   Includes remaining capital commitments for venture capital funds and other funding commitments. 
(g)   Includes commitments for redeemable shares of our subsidiaries, primarily the shares owned by Amil’s remaining non
       public shareholders.

We do not have other significant contractual obligations or commitments that require cash resources. However, we 
continually evaluate opportunities to expand our operations, which include internal development of new products, 
programs and technology applications, and may include acquisitions.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
40

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

As of December 31, 2013, we were not involved in any off-
balance sheet arrangements, which have or are reasonably 
likely to have a material effect on our financial condition, 
results of operations or liquidity.

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS 

We have determined that there have been no recently issued, 
but not yet adopted, accounting standards that will have a 
material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
Critical accounting estimates are those estimates that 
require management to make challenging, subjective or 
complex judgments, often because they must estimate the 
effects of matters that are inherently uncertain and may 
change in subsequent periods. Critical accounting estimates 
involve judgments and uncertainties that are sufficiently 
sensitive and may result in materially different results under 
different assumptions and conditions. 

Medical Costs Payable 
Each reporting period, we estimate our 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. We 
develop estimates for medical care services 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 processing backlogs, seasonal 
variances in medical care consumption, health care 
professional contract rate changes, medical care utilization 
and other medical cost trends, membership volume and 
demographics, the introduction of new technologies, 
benefit plan changes, and business mix changes related 
to products, customers and geography. Depending on the 
health care professional and type of service, the typical 
billing lag for services can be up to 90 days from the date 
of service. Substantially all claims related to medical care 
services are known and settled within nine to twelve 
months from the date of service. As of December 31, 
2013, our days outstanding in medical payables was 47 
days, calculated as total medical payables divided by total 
medical costs times 365 days. 

Each period, we re-examine previously established 
medical costs payable estimates based on actual claim 
submissions and other changes in facts and circumstances. 
As more complete claim information becomes available, we 
adjust the amount of the estimates and include the changes 
in estimates in medical costs in the period in which the 
change is identified. Therefore, in every reporting period, 
our operating results include the effects of more completely 
developed medical costs payable estimates associated with 
previously reported periods. If the revised estimate of prior 

period medical costs is less than the previous estimate, we 
will decrease reported medical costs in the current period 
(favorable development). If the revised estimate of prior 
period medical costs is more than the previous estimate, we 
will increase reported medical costs in the current period 
(unfavorable development). Medical costs in 2013, 2012, 
and 2011 included favorable medical cost development 
related to prior years of $680 million, $860 million and $720 
million, respectively.  

In developing our medical costs payable estimates, we 

apply different estimation methods depending on the 
month for which incurred claims are being estimated. For 
example, we actuarially calculate completion factors using 
an analysis of claim adjudication patterns over the most 
recent 36-month period. A completion factor is an actuarial 
estimate, based upon historical experience and analysis of 
current trends, of the percentage of incurred claims during 
a given period that have been adjudicated by us at the date 
of estimation. For months prior to the most recent three 
months, we apply the completion factors to actual claims 
adjudicated-to-date to estimate the expected amount of 
ultimate incurred claims for those months. For the most 
recent three months, we estimate claim costs incurred 
primarily by applying observed medical cost trend factors to 
the average per member per month (PMPM) medical costs 
incurred in prior months for which more complete claim 
data is available, supplemented by a review of near-term 
completion factors.

Completion factors. Completion factors are the most 
significant factors we use in developing our medical costs 
payable estimates for older periods, generally periods 
prior to the most recent three months. Completion factors 
include judgments in relation to claim submissions such 
as the time from date of service to claim receipt, claim 
inventory levels and claim processing backlogs as well 
as other factors. If actual claims submission rates from 
providers (which can be influenced by a number of factors 
including provider mix and electronic versus manual 
submissions) or our claim processing patterns are different 
than estimated, our reserves may be significantly impacted. 
   The following table illustrates the sensitivity of these 
factors and the estimated potential impact on our  
medical costs payable estimates for those periods as of 
December 31, 2013:   

Completion Factors 
Increase (Decrease) in Factors 

Increase (Decrease)
In Medical Costs Payable
(in millions)

(0.75)% 
(0.50) 
(0.25) 
0.25 
0.50 
0.75 

$ 

291
194
97
(96)
(192)
(287)

Medical cost PMPM trend factors. Medical cost PMPM 
trend factors are significant factors we use in developing 
our medical costs payable estimates for the most recent 

 
 
 
 
 
three months. Medical cost trend factors are developed 
through a comprehensive analysis of claims incurred in 
prior months, provider contracting and expected unit costs, 
benefit design, and by reviewing a broad set of health 
care utilization indicators including, but not limited to, 
pharmacy utilization trends, inpatient hospital census 
data and incidence data from the National Centers for 
Disease Control. We also consider macroeconomic variables 
such as gross-domestic product growth, employment and 
disposable income. A large number of factors can cause the 
medical cost trend to vary from our estimates including: 
our ability and practices to manage medical costs, changes 
in level and mix of services utilized, mix of benefits offered 
including the impact of co-pays and deductibles, changes in 
medical practices, catastrophes and epidemics. 
   The following table illustrates the sensitivity of these 
factors and the estimated potential impact on our medical 
costs payable estimates for the most recent three months as 
of December 31, 2013: 

Medical Costs PMPM Trend 
Increase (Decrease) in Factors 

 3% 
 2 
 1 
(1) 
(2) 
(3) 

$ 

Increase (Decrease)
In Medical Costs Payable
(in millions)
573
382
191
(191)
(382)
(573)

The completion factors and medical costs PMPM trend 
factors analyses above include outcomes that are considered 
reasonably likely based on our historical experience estimating 
liabilities for incurred but not reported benefit claims. 
Our estimate of medical costs payable represents 
management’s best estimate of our liability for unpaid 
medical costs as of December 31, 2013, developed using 
consistently applied actuarial methods. Management 
believes the amount of medical costs payable is reasonable 
and adequate to cover our liability for unpaid claims as of 
December 31, 2013; however, actual claim payments may 
differ from established estimates as discussed above. Assuming 
a hypothetical 1% difference between our December 31, 2013 
estimates of medical costs payable and actual medical costs 
payable, excluding AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance 
and any potential offsetting impact from premium rebates, 
2013 net earnings would have increased or decreased by $65 
million. 

REVENUES  
We derive a substantial portion of our revenues from health 
care insurance premiums. We recognize premium revenues in 
the period eligible individuals are entitled to receive health 
care services. Customers are typically billed monthly at a 
contracted rate per eligible person multiplied by the total 
number of people eligible to receive services. 

Our Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D premium 
revenues are subject to periodic adjustment under CMS’ risk 
adjustment payment methodology. The CMS risk adjustment 
model provides higher per member payments for enrollees 

2013 FORM 10-K

41

diagnosed with certain conditions and lower payments for 
enrollees who are healthier. We and health care providers 
collect, capture, and submit available diagnosis data to CMS 
within prescribed deadlines. CMS uses submitted diagnosis 
codes, demographic information, and special statuses to 
determine the risk score for most Medicare Advantage 
beneficiaries. CMS also retroactively adjusts risk scores 
during the year based on additional data. We estimate risk 
adjustment revenues based upon the data submitted and 
expected to be submitted to CMS. As a result of the variability 
of factors that determine such estimations, the actual amount 
of CMS’ retroactive payments could be materially more 
or less than our estimates. This may result in favorable or 
unfavorable adjustments to our Medicare premium revenue 
and, accordingly, our profitability. Risk adjustment data for 
certain of our plans is subject to review by the federal and 
state governments, including audit by regulators. See Note 12 
of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included 
in Item 8, “Financial Statements” for additional information 
regarding these audits. Additionally, beginning in 2014, 
Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans will be 
subject to a minimum MLR threshold of 85%. We will include 
in our estimates of premiums to be recognized the expected 
premium minimum MLR rebates, if any. 

U.S. commercial health plans with MLRs on fully insured 

products, as calculated under the definitions in Health 
Reform Legislation, that fall below certain targets (85% 
for large employer groups, 80% for small employer groups 
and 80% for individuals) are required to rebate ratable 
portions of their premiums to their customers annually. 
Premium revenues are recognized based on the estimated 
premiums earned net of projected rebates because we are 
able to reasonably estimate the ultimate premiums of these 
contracts. Each period, we estimate premium rebates based 
on the expected financial performance of the applicable 
contracts within each defined aggregation set (e.g., by state, 
group size and licensed subsidiary). The most significant 
factors in estimating the financial performance are current 
and future premiums and medical claim experience, 
effective tax rates and expected changes in business mix. The 
estimated ultimate premium is revised each period to reflect 
current and projected experience.

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS 
Goodwill. Goodwill represents the amount of the purchase 
price in excess of the fair values assigned to the underlying 
identifiable net assets of acquired businesses. Goodwill is 
not amortized, but is subject to an annual impairment test. 
Impairment tests are performed more frequently if events 
occur or circumstances change that would more likely than 
not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its 
carrying amount. 
   To determine whether goodwill is impaired, we perform a 
multi-step impairment test. First, we can elect to perform a 
qualitative assessment of each reporting unit to determine 
whether facts and circumstances support a determination 
that their fair values are greater than their carrying values. 
If the qualitative analysis is not conclusive, or if we elect 
to proceed directly with quantitative testing, we will 

 
 
 
 
 
42

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

then measure the fair values of the reporting units and 
compare them to their aggregate carrying values, including 
goodwill. If the fair value is less than the carrying value 
of the reporting unit, then the implied value of goodwill 
would be calculated and compared to the carrying amount 
of goodwill to determine whether goodwill is impaired.  
   We estimate the fair values of our reporting units using 
discounted cash flows, which include assumptions about 
a wide variety of internal and external factors. Significant 
assumptions used in the impairment analysis include 
financial projections of free cash flow (including significant 
assumptions about operations, capital requirements and 
income taxes), long-term growth rates for determining 
terminal value beyond the discretely forecasted periods, 
and discount rates. For each reporting unit, comparative 
market multiples are used to corroborate the results of our 
discounted cash flow test.  

Forecasts and long-term growth rates used for our 
reporting units are consistent with, and use inputs from, 
our internal long-term business plan and strategies. Key 
assumptions used in these forecasts include:

•    Revenue t rends. Key revenue drivers for each reporting 
unit are determined and assessed. Significant factors 
include: membership growth, medical trends, and the 
impact and expectations of regulatory environments. 
Additional macro-economic assumptions relating 
to unemployment, GDP growth, interest rates, and 
inflation are also evaluated and incorporated, as 
appropriate.

•    Medical cost trends. For further discussion of medical 
cost trends, see the “Medical Cost Trend” section of 
Executive Overview-Business Trends above and the 
discussion in the “Medical Costs Payable” critical 
accounting estimate above. Similar factors, including 
historical and expected medical cost trend levels, are 
considered in estimating our long-term medical trends 
at the reporting unit level.  

•    Operating pr oductivity. We forecast expected 

operating cost levels based on historical levels and 
expectations of future operating cost levels.

•    Capital levels. The operating and long-term capital 

requirements for each business are considered.

Although we believe that the financial projections used 

are reasonable and appropriate for all of our reporting 
units, due to the long-term nature of the forecasts there 
is significant uncertainty inherent in those projections. 
That uncertainty is increased by the impact of health care 
reforms as discussed in Item 1, “Business - Government 
Regulation.” For additional discussions regarding how the 
enactment or implementation of health care reforms and 
other factors could affect our business and the related 
long-term forecasts, see Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in Part I 
and “Regulatory Trends and Uncertainties” above. 

Discount rates are determined for each reporting unit 
and include consideration of the implied risk inherent in 
their forecasts. This risk is evaluated using comparisons 
to market information such as peer company weighted 
average costs of capital and peer company stock prices 

in the form of revenue and earnings multiples. Beyond 
our selection of the most appropriate risk-free rates and 
equity risk premiums, our most significant estimates in the 
discount rate determinations involve our adjustments to the 
peer company weighted average costs of capital that reflect 
reporting unit-specific factors. Such adjustments include 
the addition of size premiums and company-specific risk 
premiums intended to compensate for apparent forecast 
risk. We have not made any adjustments to decrease a 
discount rate below the calculated peer company weighted 
average cost of capital for any reporting unit. Company-
specific adjustments to discount rates are subjective and 
thus are difficult to measure with certainty. 

The passage of time and the availability of additional 
information regarding areas of uncertainty with respect 
to the reporting units’ operations could cause these 
assumptions to change in the future.

We elected to bypass the optional qualitative reporting 

unit fair value assessment and completed our annual 
quantitative tests for goodwill impairment as of January 1, 
2014. All of our reporting units had fair values substantially 
in excess of their carrying values.

Intangible assets. Our recorded separately-identifiable 
intangible assets were acquired in business combinations 
and represent future expected benefits but they lack 
physical substance (e.g., membership lists, customer 
contracts, trademarks and technology). These intangible 
assets are initially recorded at their fair values. Finite-lived 
intangible assets are amortized over their expected useful 
lives, while indefinite-lived intangible assets are evaluated 
for impairment on at least an annual basis. Both finite-
lived and indefinite-lived intangible assets are evaluated 
for impairment between annual periods if an event occurs 
or circumstances change that may indicate impairment. 
Our most significant intangible assets are customer-related 
intangibles, which represent 73% of our total intangible 
asset balance of $3.8 billion as of December 31, 2013. 
   Customer-related intangible assets acquired in 
business combinations are typically valued using an 
income approach based on discounted future cash flows 
attributable to customers that exist as of the date of 
acquisition. The most significant assumptions used in the 
valuation of customer-related assets include: projected 
revenue and earnings growth, retention rates, perpetuity 
growth rates and discount rates. These initial valuations 
and the embedded assumptions contain uncertainty to the 
extent that those assumptions and estimates may ultimately 
differ from actual results (e.g., customer turnover may 
be higher or lower than the assumed retention rate 
suggested). 
   Our finite-lived intangible assets are subject to 
impairment tests when events or circumstances indicate 
that an asset’s (or asset group’s) carrying value may 
exceed its estimated fair value. Consideration is given on 
a quarterly basis to a number of potential impairment 
indicators including: changes in the use of the assets, 
changes in legal or other business factors that could 
affect value, experienced or expected operating cash-

flow deterioration or losses, adverse changes in customer 
populations, adverse competitive or technological advances 
that could impact value, and other factors. Following the 
identification of any potential impairment indicators, we 
would calculate the estimated fair value of a finite-lived 
intangible asset (or asset group) using the undiscounted 
cash flows that are expected to result from the use of the 
asset or related group of assets. If it is determined that an 
impairment exists, the amount by which the carrying value 
exceeds its estimated fair value would be recorded as an 
impairment.  
   Our indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for 
impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently if 
impairment indicators exist. To determine if an indefinite-
lived intangible asset is impaired, we assess qualitative 
factors to determine whether the existence of events and 
circumstances indicates that it is more-likely-than-not that 
the indefinite-lived intangible asset’s carrying value exceeds 
its fair value. If, after assessing the totality of events and 
circumstances, we conclude that it is not more likely than 
not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset’s carrying 
value exceeds its fair value, no impairment exists and no 
further testing is performed. If we conclude otherwise, 
we would perform a quantitative analysis by comparing 
its estimated fair value to its carrying value. If the carrying 
value exceeds its estimated fair value, an impairment would 
be recorded for the amount by which the carrying value 
exceeds its estimated fair value. Intangible assets were not 
materially impaired in 2013.

INVESTMENTS  
As of December 31, 2013, we had investments with a 
carrying value of $21.5 billion, primarily held in marketable 
debt securities. Our investments are principally classified 
as available-for-sale and are recorded at fair value. We 
exclude gross unrealized gains and losses on available-
for-sale investments from net earnings and report net 
unrealized gains or losses, net of income tax effects, 
as other comprehensive income and as a separate 
component in shareholders’ equity. We continually monitor 
the difference between the cost and fair value of our 
investments. As of December 31, 2013, our available-for-
sale investments had gross unrealized gains of $326 million 
and gross unrealized losses of $234 million.  
   For debt securities, if we intend to either sell or determine 
that we will be more likely than not be required to sell 
the security before recovery of the entire amortized cost 
basis or maturity of the security, we recognize the entire 
impairment in earnings. If we do not intend to sell the debt 
security and we determine that we will not be more likely 
than not be required to sell the debt security but we do 
not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis, the 
impairment is bifurcated into the amount attributed to the 
credit loss, and recognized in net earnings, and all other 
causes, and recognized in other comprehensive income. 
   For equity securities, we recognize impairments in other 
comprehensive income if we expect to hold the equity 
security until fair value increases to at least the equity 
security’s cost basis and we expect that increase in fair value 
to occur in a reasonably forecasted period. If we intend to 

2013 FORM 10-K

43

sell the equity security or if we believe that recovery of fair 
value to cost will not occur in the near term, we recognize 
the impairment in net earnings. 
   The most significant judgments and estimates related 
to investments are related to determination of their 
fair values and the other-than-temporary impairment 
assessment.

Fair values. Fair values of available-for-sale debt and 
equity securities are based on quoted market prices, 
where available. We obtain 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 
and prepayment speeds, and non-binding broker quotes. 
As we are responsible for the determination of fair value, 
we perform quarterly analyses of the prices received from 
the pricing service to determine whether the prices are 
reasonable estimates of fair value. Specifically, we compare:

•    prices received from the pricing service to prices 

reported by a secondary pricing service, our custodian, 
our investment consultant and/or third-party 
investment advisors; and

•    changes in the reported market values and returns to 
relevant market indices and our expectations to test 
the reasonableness of the reported prices. 

Based on our internal price verification procedures and 
our review of the fair value methodology documentation 
provided by independent pricing service, we have not 
historically adjusted the prices obtained from the pricing 
service. 

Other-than-temporary impairment assessment. Individual 
securities with fair values lower than costs are reviewed for 
impairment considering the following factors: our intent to 
sell the security or the likelihood that we will be required 
to sell the security before recovery of the entire amortized 
cost, the length of time and extent of impairment and 
the financial condition and near-term prospects of the 
issuer as well as specific events or circumstances that 
may influence the operations of the issuer. Other factors 
included in the assessment include the type and nature of 
the securities and their liquidity. Given the nature of our 
portfolio, primarily investment grade securities, historical 
impairments were largely market related (e.g., interest rate 
fluctuations) as opposed to credit related. We do not expect 
that trend to change in the near term. Our large cash 
holdings reduce the risk that we will be required to sell a 
security. However, our intent to sell a security may change 
from period to period if facts and circumstances change. 

44

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

   The unrealized losses of $234 million and $9 million at 
December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, were primarily 
caused by market interest rate increases and not by 
unfavorable changes in the credit standing. We believe 
we will collect the principal and interest due on our debt 
securities with an amortized cost in excess of fair value. 
We manage our investment portfolio to limit our exposure 
to any one issuer or market sector, and largely limit our 
investments to U.S. government and agency securities; 
state and municipal securities; mortgage-backed securities; 
and corporate debt obligations, substantially all of which 
are of investment-grade quality. Securities downgraded 
below policy minimums after purchase will be disposed 
of in accordance with our investment policy. Total other-
than-temporary impairments during the years ended 
December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 were $8 million, $6 
million and $12 million, respectively. Our available-for-sale 
debt portfolio had a weighted-average credit rating of 
“AA” as of December 31, 2013. We have minimal securities 
collateralized by sub-prime or Alt-A securities, and a 
minimal amount of commercial mortgage loans in default.  
   The judgments and estimates related to fair value 
and other-than-temporary impairment may ultimately 
prove to be inaccurate due to many factors including: 
circumstances may change over time, industry sector and 
market factors may differ from expectations and estimates 
or we may ultimately sell a security we previously intended 
to hold. Our assessment of the financial condition and 
near-term prospects of the issuer may ultimately prove 
to be inaccurate as time passes and new information 
becomes available, including changes to current facts and 
circumstances, or as unknown or estimated unlikely trends 
develop.  
   As discussed further in Item 7A “Quantitative and 
Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” a 1% increase in 
market interest rates would have the effect of decreasing 
the fair value of our investment portfolio by $756 million.

INCOME TAXES  
Our provision for income taxes, deferred tax assets and 
liabilities, and uncertain tax positions reflect our assessment 
of estimated future taxes to be paid on items in the 
consolidated financial statements. 

Deferred income taxes arise from temporary differences 

between financial reporting and tax reporting bases of 
assets and liabilities, as well as net operating loss and tax 
credit carryforwards for tax purposes. We have established 
a valuation allowance against certain deferred tax assets 
for which it is more-likely-than-not that some portion, or 
all, of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.  

An uncertain tax position is recognized when it is more 

likely than not that the position will be sustained upon 
examination, including resolutions of any related appeals 
or litigation processes, based on the technical merits. We 
prepare and file tax returns based on our interpretation 
of tax laws and regulations and record estimates based on 
these judgments and interpretations. In the normal course 
of business, our tax returns are subject to examination by 
various taxing authorities. Such examinations may result 

in future tax and interest assessments by these taxing 
authorities. Inherent uncertainties exist in estimates of 
tax positions due to changes in tax law resulting from 
legislation, regulation and/or as concluded through the 
various jurisdictions’ tax court systems. 

The significant assumptions and estimates described 

above are important contributors to our ultimate effective 
tax rate in each year. A hypothetical increase or decrease in 
our effective tax rate by 1% on our 2013 earnings before 
income taxes would have caused the provision for income 
taxes and net earnings to change by $89 million.  

CONTINGENT LIABILITIES  
Because of the nature of our businesses, we are routinely 
involved in various disputes, legal proceedings and 
governmental audits and investigations. We record 
liabilities for our estimates of the probable costs resulting 
from these matters where appropriate. Our estimates 
are developed in consultation with legal counsel, if 
appropriate, and are based upon an analysis of potential 
results, assuming a combination of litigation and settlement 
strategies and considering our insurance coverage, if any, 
for such matters. 

Estimates of costs resulting from legal and regulatory 

matters 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, in many cases, we are 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. Similarly, the assessment of 
the likelihood of assertion of unasserted claims involves 
significant judgment. 

Given this inherent uncertainty, it is possible that 
future results of operations for any particular quarterly 
or annual period could be materially affected by changes 
in our estimates or assumptions. We evaluate our related 
disclosures in each reporting period. See Note 12 of Notes 
to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in 
Item 8, “Financial Statements” for a discussion of specific 
legal proceedings including an assessment of whether a 
reasonable estimate of the losses or range of loss could be 
determined. 

LEGAL MATTERS

A description of our legal proceedings is presented in 
Note 12 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
included in Item 8, “Financial Statements.” 

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 

2013 FORM 10-K

45

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. 
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to accounts 
receivable are limited due to the large number of employer 
groups and other customers that constitute our client 
base. As of December 31, 2013, we had an aggregate $1.8 
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 record the reinsurance receivable only 
to the extent that the amounts are deemed probable of 
recovery. Currently, the reinsurer is rated by A.M. Best 
as “A+.” As of December 31, 2013, there were no other 
significant concentrations of credit risk.

ITEM 7A. 

 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 investments and debt, (b) foreign currency exchange 
rate risk of the U.S. dollar primarily to the Brazilian real and 
(c) changes in equity prices that impact the value of our 
equity investments.

As of December 31, 2013, we had $8.7 billion of cash, 
cash equivalents and investments on which the interest 
rates received vary with market interest rates, which may 
materially impact our investment income. Also, $9.6 billion 
of our commercial paper, debt and deposit liabilities as of 
December 31, 2013 were at interest rates that vary with 
market rates, either directly or through the use of related 
interest rate swap contracts.

The fair value of certain of our fixed-rate investments 

and debt also varies with market interest rates. As of 
December 31, 2013, $18.5 billion of our investments were 
fixed-rate debt securities and $10.2 billion of our debt was 
non-swapped 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 by 
endeavoring to match our floating-rate assets and liabilities 
over time, either directly or periodically through the use of 
interest rate swap contracts. 

46

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

The following table summarizes the impact of hypothetical changes in market interest rates across the entire yield curve 
by 1% or 2% as of December 31, 2013 on our investment income and interest expense per annum, and the fair value of our 
investments and debt (in millions, except percentages):

Increase (Decrease) in Market Interest Rate 
 2 % 
 1 
(1) 
(2) 

Increase (Decrease) in Market Interest Rate 
 2% 
 1 
(1) 
(2) 

nm = not meaningful

$ 

Investment 
Income Per 
Annum (a) 
175 
87 
(52) 
nm 

$ 

Investment 
Income Per 
Annum (a) 
189 
94 
(18) 
nm 

December 31, 2013

Interest  
Expense Per 
Annum (a) 
189 
$ 
95 
(17) 
nm 

Fair Value of 
Investments (b) 

Fair Value of
Debt

$ 

(1,474) 
(756) 
704 
1,224 

$ 

(1,786)
(974)
1,167 
2,505 

December 31, 2012

Interest  
Expense Per 
Annum (a) 
134 
$ 
67 
(14) 
nm 

Fair Value of 
Investments (b) 

Fair Value of
Debt

$ 

(1,303) 
(656) 
518 
686 

$ 

(2,200)
(1,194)
1,366
2,747 

(a)   Given the low absolute level of short-term market rates on our floating-rate assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2013 
and 2012, the assumed hypothetical change in interest rates does not reflect the full 100 basis point reduction in interest 
income or interest expense as the rate cannot fall below zero and thus the 200 basis point reduction is not meaningful.
(b)   As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, some of our investments had interest rates below 2% so the assumed hypothetical 

change in the fair value of investments does not reflect the full 200 basis point reduction.

We have an exposure to changes in the value of the 
Brazilian real to the U.S. dollar in translation of Amil’s 
operating results at the average exchange rate over the 
accounting period, and Amil’s assets and liabilities at the 
spot rate at the end of the accounting period. The gains or 
losses resulting from translating foreign currency financial 
statements into U.S. dollars are included in shareholders’ 
equity and comprehensive income. 

An appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Brazilian real 

reduces the carrying value of the net assets denominated 
in Brazilian real. For example, as of December 31, 2013, 
a hypothetical 10% increase in the value of the U.S. 
dollar against the Brazilian real would have caused a 
reduction in net assets of approximately $490 million. We 
manage exposure to foreign currency risk by conducting 
our international business operations primarily in their 
functional currencies.

As of December 31, 2013, we had $1.6 billion of 

investments in equity securities, consisting of investments 
in non-U.S. dollar fixed-income funds, employee savings 
plan related investments, private equity funds, and dividend 
paying stocks. Valuations in non-US dollar funds are subject 
to foreign exchange rates. Valuations in private equity are 
subject to conditions affecting health care and technology 
stocks, and dividend paying equities are subject to more 
general market conditions. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2013 FORM 10-K

47

ITEM 8.

Financial Statements

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Statements of Operations

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Description of Business

Basis of Presentation, Use of Estimates and 
Significant Accounting Policies

Investments

Fair Value

Property, Equipment and Capitalized Software

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

7. Medical Costs and Medical Costs Payable

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

Commercial Paper and Long-Term Debt

Income Taxes

Shareholders’ Equity

Share-Based Compensation

Commitments and Contingencies

Segment Financial Information

14. Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

48

49

50

51

52

53

54

54

54

60

62

67

67

69

70

72

74

75

76

78

81

48

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC 
ACCOUNTING FIRM  
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of UnitedHealth 
Group Incorporated and Subsidiaries: 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance 
sheets of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated and subsidiaries 
(the “Company”) as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, 
and the related consolidated statements of operations, 
comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity and 
cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended 
December 31, 2013. These consolidated financial statements 
are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our 
responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated 
financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the 

standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight 
Board (United States). Those standards require that we 
plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance 
about whether the consolidated financial statements are 
free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, 
on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and 
disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. An 
audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used 
and significant estimates made by management, as well as 
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We 
believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our 
opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements 
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position 
of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated and Subsidiaries as 
of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the results of their 
operations and their cash flows for each of the three years 
in the period ended December 31, 2013, in conformity with 
accounting principles generally accepted in the United 
States of America. 

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards 

of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board 
(United States), the Company’s internal control over 
financial reporting as of December 31, 2013, based on 
the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated 
Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring 
Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report 
dated February 12, 2014, expressed an unqualified opinion 
on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

/S/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Minneapolis, Minnesota
February 12, 2014 

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in millions, except per share data) 
Assets
Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents 
Short-term investments 
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $196 and $189 
Other current receivables, net of allowances of $169 and $206 
Assets under management 
Deferred income taxes 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 

Total current assets 
Long-term investments 
Property, equipment and capitalized software, net of accumulated  
   depreciation and amortization of $2,675 and $2,564 
Goodwill 
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization 

of $2,283 and $1,824 

Other assets 

Total assets 

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity 
Current liabilities: 

2013 FORM 10-K

49

December 31, 2013 

December 31, 2012

$ 

7,276 
1,937 
3,052 
3,998 
2,757 
430 
930 

20,380 
19,605 

4,010 
31,604 

3,844 
2,439 

$ 

8,406
3,031
2,709
2,889
2,773
463
781

21,052
17,711

3,939
31,286

4,682
2,215

$ 

81,882 

$ 

80,885

Medical costs payable 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 
Other policy liabilities 
Commercial paper and current maturities of long-term debt 
Unearned revenues 

$ 

Total current liabilities 
Long-term debt, less current maturities 
Future policy benefits 
Deferred income taxes 
Other liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests 
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;
   988 and 1,019 issued and outstanding 
Additional paid-in capital 
Retained earnings 
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income 

Total shareholders’ equity 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity 

See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

11,575 
7,458 
5,279 
1,969 
1,600 

27,881 
14,891 
2,465 
1,796 
1,525 

48,558 

1,175 

— 

10 
— 
33,047 
                 (908) 

32,149 

81,882 

$ 

$ 

$ 

11,004
6,984
4,910
2,713
1,505

27,116
14,041
2,444
2,450
1,535

47,586

2,121

—

10
66
30,664
438

31,178

80,885

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
50

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in millions, except per share data) 

Revenues: 

Premiums 
Services 
Products 
Investment and other income 

Total revenues 

Operating costs:
Medical costs 
Operating costs 
Cost of products sold 
Depreciation and amortization 

Total operating costs 

Earnings from operations 
Interest expense 

Earnings before income taxes 
Provision for income taxes 

Net earnings 
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests 

Net earning attributable to UnitedHealth Group common 
   shareholders 

Earnings per share attributable to UnitedHealth Group 

common shareholders: 
      Basic 
      Diluted 

Basic weighted-average number of common  
   shares outstanding 
Dilutive effect of common share equivalents 

Diluted weighted-average number of common  
   shares outstanding 

Anti-dilutive shares excluded from the calculation of  
   dilutive effect of common share equivalents 
Cash dividends declared per common share 

See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

For the Years Ended December 31,
2012 

2013 

2011

$ 

109,557 
8,997 
3,190 
745 

122,489 

89,290 
19,362 
2,839 
1,375 

112,866 

9,623 
                (708) 

8,915 
             (3,242) 

$ 
5,673 
                  (48) 

$ 

$ 

99,728 
7,437 
2,773 
680 

110,618 

80,226 
17,306 
2,523 
1,309 

101,364 

9,254 
(632) 

8,622 
(3,096) 

5,526 
— 

$ 

$ 
$ 

5,625 

$ 

5,526 

5.59 
5.50 

1,006 
17 

1,023 

$ 
$ 

5.38 
5.28 

1,027 
19 

1,046 

$ 

91,983
6,613
2,612
654

101,862

74,332
15,557
2,385
1,124

93,398

8,464
(505)

7,959
(2,817)

5,142 
—

5,142

4.81
4.73

1,070
17

1,087

$ 

$ 

$ 
$ 

8 
1.0525 

$ 

17 
0.8000 

$ 

47
0.6125

$ 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2013 FORM 10-K

51

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in millions) 

Net earnings 

For the Years Ended December 31,
2012 

2013 

2011

$ 

5,673 

$ 

5,526 

$ 

5,142

Other comprehensive (loss) income:

Gross unrealized holding (losses) gains on investment 

securities during the period 

                (543) 
Income tax effect                                                                                       196  

Total unrealized (losses) gains, net of tax 

                (347) 

Gross reclassification adjustment for 

net realized gains included in net earnings 

Income tax effect 

Total reclassification adjustment, net of tax 

                (181) 
66 

                (115) 

217  
(78) 

139 

(156) 
57 

(99) 

422
(154)

268

(113)
41

(72)

Total foreign currency translation (losses) gains 

                (884) 

               (63)                                 13

Other comprehensive (loss) income 

             (1,346) 

               (23)                               209

5,351 
Comprehensive income 
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests                   (48)                               —                                 — 
Comprehensive income attributable to UniteHealth Group 
   common shareholders  

5,503 

5,503 

4,327 

4,279 

5,351

$ 

$ 

$ 

See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
52

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)

Net 

Foreign 
Currency 

(in millions) 
Balance at January 1, 2011 
Net earnings 
Other comprehensive income 
Issuances of common shares, 
   and related tax effects 
Share-based compensation, 
   and related tax benefits 
Common share repurchases 
Cash dividends paid on  
   common shares 
Balance at December 31, 2011 
Net earnings 
Other comprehensive income (loss) 
Issuances of common shares, 
   and related tax effects 
Share-based compensation, 
   and related tax benefits 
Common share repurchases 
Acquisitions of noncontrolling 
   interests 
Cash dividends paid on  
   common shares 
Balance at December 31, 2012 
Net earnings attributable 
   to UnitedHealth Group
   common shareholders  
Other comprehensive loss 
Issuances of common shares, 
   and related tax effects 
Share-based compensation, 
   and related tax benefits 
Common share repurchases 
Acquisition of noncontrolling 

interests, and related 

    tax effects 
Cash dividends paid on  
   common shares 
Balance at December 31, 2013 

308

453
(2,994)

(651)
  28,292
5,526
           (23)

704

594
(3,084)

(11) 

Common Stock

Shares 
1,086 

Amount  
11 
$ 

Additional 
Paid-In 
Capital  
$  — 

18 

— 

  308 

(65) 

         (1) 

  453 
(761) 

1,039 

10 

  — 

Total

Unrealized  Translation 
Retained    Gains (Losses)  (Losses)  Shareholders’
Earnings   on Investments  Gains  
$  (28) 
$  25,562 
5,142 

Equity
$  25,825
5,142
196              13                209

$  280 

       (2,232) 

          (651) 
  27,821 
5,526 

476 

(15) 

40 

      (63) 

37 

— 

  704 

(57)                     —  

  594 
 (1,221) 

      (11) 

       (1,863) 

1,019 

10 

66 

          (820) 
  30,664 

516 

(78) 

(820)
  31,178

5,625 

      (462) 

  (884) 

17 

— 

  431 

(48) 

— 

  406 
(984) 

       (2,186) 

5,625
(1,346)

431

406
(3,170)

                    81  

                 81

988 

$ 

10 

$  — 

         (1,056) 
$  33,047 

$ 

54 

$ (962) 

(1,056)
$  32,149

See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

 
  
    
   
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
UNITEDHEALTH GROUP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in millions) 

Operating activities
Net earnings 
Non-cash items:

Depreciation and amortization 
Deferred income taxes 
Share-based compensation 
Other, net 

Net change in other operating items, net of effects 
from acquisitions and changes in AARP balances:
Accounts receivable 
Other assets 
Medical costs payable 
Accounts payable and other liabilities 
Other policy liabilities 
Unearned revenues 

2013 FORM 10-K

53

For the Years Ended December 31,
2012 

2013 

2011

$ 

5,673 

$ 

5,526 

$            5,142

1,375 
1 
331 
(83) 

1,309 
308 
421 
(231) 

              1,124
                   59
                 401
                  (67)

(317) 
(838) 
509 
459 
(221) 
102                                28   

(267)
(130) 
(295) 
                (121)
101                                377
199                                146
               (81)                               482
                (308)

Cash flows from operating activities 

6,991 

7,155 

              6,968

Investing activities
Purchases of investments 
Sales of investments 
Maturities of investments 
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash assumed 
Cash received from dispositions 
Purchases of property, equipment and capitalized software 
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment 

Cash flows used for investing activities 

(12,176) 
5,706 
4,859 
(362) 

(9,903) 
3,794 
4,810 
(6,280) 
45                                 —  
(1,070) 
146                                 —  
(8,649) 

(3,089) 

(1,307) 

             (9,895)
              3,949
              4,251
    (1,844)
385
(1,067)
                   49

(4,172)

Financing activities
(319)                                 — 
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest shares 
Common stock repurchases 
(2,994) 
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt                                                   2,235                            3,966                             2,234 
(986) 
(955)
Repayments of long-term debt                                                                    (1,609)  
               (933) 
                (474)                          1,587  
(Repayments of) proceeds from commercial paper, net 
               (651)
(820) 
Cash dividends paid 
             (1,056) 
37 
           (324) 
Customer funds administered                                                                             31  
381
1,078 
Proceeds from common stock issuances                                                          598  
Interest rate swap termination                                                                            —                                  —  
132
             (627)                               259
Other, net                                                                                                           (27)  

(1,474) 
(3,170) 

(3,084) 

Cash flows (used for) financing activities                                                     (4,946)                              471 

             (2,490)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and 
   cash equivalents 
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents 

                  (86)                               —                                   — 
             (1,130)                         (1,023)                                306

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period                                         8,406                            9,429 

9,123

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period 

$           7,276 

      $   8,406 

$            9,429

Supplemental cash flow disclosures
Cash paid for interest 
Cash paid for income taxes 

See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

$ 

724 

      $      600 
2,785                           2,666 

$ 

472
2,739

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
54

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.  DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS 
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (individually and 
together with its subsidiaries, “UnitedHealth Group” and 
“the Company”) is a diversified health and well-being 
company dedicated to helping people live healthier lives 
and making the health system work better for everyone.

Through the Company’s diversified family of businesses, 

it leverages core competencies in advanced, enabling 
technology; health care data, information and intelligence; 
and clinical care management and coordination to help 
meet the demands of the health system. 

2.   BASIS OF PRESENTATION, USE OF ESTIMATES AND 

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation
The Company has prepared the Consolidated Financial 
Statements according to U.S. Generally Accepted 
Accounting Principles (GAAP) and has included the accounts 
of UnitedHealth Group and its subsidiaries.

Use of Estimates
These 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, revenues, valuation and 
impairment analysis of goodwill and other intangible 
assets, estimates of other policy liabilities and other 
current receivables, valuations of certain investments, 
and estimates and judgments related to income taxes and 
contingent liabilities. Certain of these estimates require the 
application of complex assumptions and judgments, often 
because they involve matters that are inherently uncertain 
and will likely change in subsequent periods. The impact 
of any changes in estimates is included in earnings in the 
period in which the estimate is adjusted.

Revenues  
Premium revenues are primarily 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 the Company assumes the economic 
risk of funding its customers’ health care and related 
administrative costs. 

Premium revenues are recognized in the period in 
which eligible individuals are entitled to receive health 
care benefits. Health care premium payments received 
from its customers in advance of the service period are 
recorded as unearned revenues. Fully insured commercial 
products of U.S. health plans, and beginning in 2014, 
Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug 
Benefit (Medicare Part D) plans with medical loss ratios as 
calculated under the definitions in the Patient Protection 
and Affordable Care Act and a reconciliation measure, 
the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 
(together, Health Reform Legislation) and implementing 

regulations, that fall below certain targets are required 
to rebate ratable portions of their premiums annually. 
Premium revenues are recognized based on the estimated 
premiums earned net of projected rebates because the 
Company is able to reasonably estimate the ultimate 
premiums of these contracts. The Company also records 
premium revenues from capitation arrangements at its 
OptumHealth businesses.

The Company’s Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part 

D premium revenues are subject to periodic adjustment 
under the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ 
(CMS) risk adjustment payment methodology. CMS deploys 
a risk adjustment model that apportions premiums paid 
to all health plans according to health severity and certain 
demographic factors. The CMS risk adjustment model 
provides higher per member payments for enrollees 
diagnosed with certain conditions and lower payments 
for enrollees who are healthier. Under this risk adjustment 
methodology, CMS calculates the risk adjusted premium 
payment using diagnosis data from hospital inpatient, 
hospital outpatient and physician treatment settings. 
The Company and health care providers collect, capture, 
and submit the necessary and available diagnosis data to 
CMS within prescribed deadlines. The Company estimates 
risk adjustment revenues based upon the diagnosis data 
submitted and expected to be submitted to CMS. Risk 
adjustment data for certain of the Company’s plans is 
subject to review by the government, including audit 
by regulators. See Note 12 for additional information 
regarding these audits. 

Service revenues consist primarily of fees derived from 
services performed for customers that self-insure the health 
care costs of their employees and employees’ dependants. 
Under service fee contracts, the Company recognizes 
revenue in the period the related services are performed. 
The customers retain the risk of financing health care 
costs for their employees and employees’ dependants, 
and the Company administers the payment of customer 
funds to physicians and other health care professionals 
from customer-funded bank accounts. As the Company has 
neither the obligation for funding the health care costs, 
nor the primary responsibility for providing the medical 
care, the Company does not recognize premium revenue 
and medical costs for these contracts in its Consolidated 
Financial Statements. 

For both risk-based and fee-based customer 

arrangements, the Company provides coordination and 
facilitation of medical services; transaction processing; 
customer, consumer and care professional services; and 
access to contracted networks of physicians, hospitals 
and other health care professionals. These services are 
performed throughout the contract period.

For the Company’s OptumRx pharmacy benefits 

management (PBM) business, revenues are derived from 
products sold through a contracted network of retail 
pharmacies or mail services, and from administrative 
services, including claims processing and formulary design 
and management. Product revenues include ingredient 

costs (net of rebates), a negotiated dispensing fee and 
customer co-payments for drugs dispensed through the 
Company’s mail-service pharmacy. In retail pharmacy 
transactions, revenues recognized exclude the member’s 
applicable co-payment. Product revenues are recognized 
when the prescriptions are dispensed through the retail 
network or received by consumers through the Company’s 
mail-service pharmacy. Service revenues are recognized 
when the prescription claim is adjudicated. The Company 
has entered into retail service contracts in which it is 
primarily obligated to pay its network pharmacy providers 
for benefits provided to their customers regardless if 
the Company is paid. The Company is also involved in 
establishing the prices charged by retail pharmacies, 
determining which drugs will be included in formulary 
listings and selecting which retail pharmacies will be 
included in the network offered to plan sponsors’ members. 
As a result, revenues are reported on a gross basis.

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 processing backlogs, care provider contract rate 
changes, medical care utilization 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. Medical costs also 
include the direct cost of patient care rendered through 
OptumHealth.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments  
Cash and cash equivalents are highly liquid investments 
that have an original maturity of three months or less. 
The fair value of cash and cash equivalents approximates 
their carrying value because of the short maturity of the 
instruments. 

The Company had checks outstanding of $1.3 billion 

as of both December 31, 2013 and 2012, which were 
classified as Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities in the 
Consolidated Balance Sheets and the change in this balance 
has been reflected within other financing activities in the 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The outstanding 
checks are primarily related to zero balance accounts; the  
Company does not net checks outstanding with deposits in 

2013 FORM 10-K

55

other accounts.

Investments with maturities of less than one year 

are classified as short-term. Because of regulatory 
requirements, certain investments are included in long-term 
investments regardless of their maturity date. The Company 
classifies these investments as held-to-maturity and reports 
them at amortized cost. Substantially all other investments 
are classified as available-for-sale and reported at fair value 
based on quoted market prices, where available. 

The Company excludes unrealized gains and losses 
on investments in available-for-sale securities from net 
earnings and reports them as comprehensive income 
and, net of income tax effects, as a separate component 
of shareholders’ equity. To calculate realized gains and 
losses on the sale of investments, the Company specifically 
identifies the cost of each investment sold. 

The Company evaluates an investment for impairment 

by considering the length of time and extent to which 
market value has been less than cost or amortized cost, the 
financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer as 
well as specific events or circumstances that may influence 
the operations of the issuer and the Company’s intent to 
sell the security or the likelihood that it will be required 
to sell the security before recovery of the entire amortized 
cost. 

•    For debt securities, if the Company intends to either 
sell or determines that it will be more likely than not 
be required to sell a security before recovery of the 
entire amortized cost basis or maturity of the security, 
the Company recognizes the entire impairment in 
Investment and Other Income. If the Company does not 
intend to sell the debt security and it determines that 
it will not be more likely than not be required to sell 
the security but it does not expect to recover the entire 
amortized cost basis, the impairment is bifurcated 
into the amount attributed to the credit loss, which is 
recognized in earnings, and all other causes, which are 
recognized in other comprehensive income. 
•    For equity securities, the Company recognizes 

impairments in other comprehensive income if it 
expects to hold the security until fair value increases 
to at least the security’s cost basis and it expects 
that increase in fair value to occur in a reasonably 
forecasted period. If the Company intends to sell the 
equity security or if it believes that recovery of fair 
value to cost will not occur in a reasonably forecasted 
period, the Company recognizes the impairment in 
Investment and Other Income.

New information and the passage of time can change 
these judgments. The Company manages its investment 
portfolio to limit its exposure to any one issuer or 
market sector, and largely limits its investments to U.S. 
government and agency securities; state and municipal 
securities; mortgage-backed securities; and corporate debt 
obligations, substantially all of which are investment grade 
quality. Securities downgraded below policy minimums 
after purchase will be disposed of in accordance with the 
investment policy. 

56

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

Assets Under Management  
The Company provides health insurance products and 
services to members of AARP under a Supplemental 
Health Insurance Program (the AARP Program), and 
to AARP members and non-members under separate 
Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D arrangements. 
The products and services under the AARP Program 
include supplemental Medicare benefits (AARP Medicare 
Supplement Insurance), hospital indemnity insurance, 
including insurance for individuals between 50 to 64 years 
of age, and other related products. 

The Company’s arrangements with AARP extend to 
December 31, 2020 for the AARP Program and give the 
Company an exclusive right to use the AARP brand on 
the Company’s Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D 
offerings until December 31, 2020, subject to certain limited 
exclusions. 

Pursuant to the Company’s agreement, AARP Program 
assets are managed separately from its general investment 
portfolio and are used to pay costs associated with the 
AARP Program. These assets are invested at the Company’s 
discretion, within investment guidelines approved by AARP. 
The Company does not guarantee any rates of return on 
these investments and, upon transfer of the AARP Program 
contract to another entity, the Company would transfer 
cash equal in amount to the fair value of these investments 
at the date of transfer to that entity. Because the purpose 
of these assets is to fund the medical costs payable, the 
rate stabilization fund (RSF) liabilities and other related 
liabilities associated with this AARP contract, assets under 
management are classified as current assets, consistent 
with the classification of these liabilities. Interest earnings 
and realized investment gains and losses on these assets 
accrue to the overall benefit of the AARP policyholders 
through the RSF. Accordingly, they are not included in the 
Company’s earnings. Interest income and realized gains and 
losses related to assets under management are recorded as 
an increase to the RSF and were $101 million, $109 million 
and $99 million in the years ended December 31, 2013, 
2012 and 2011, respectively. 

The effects of changes in other balance sheet amounts 

associated with the AARP Program also accrue to the 
overall benefit of the AARP policyholders through the RSF 
balance. Accordingly, the Company excludes the effect of 
such changes in its Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. 
For more detail on the RSF, see “Other Policy Liabilities” 
below.

Other Current Receivables  
Other current receivables include amounts due from 
pharmaceutical manufacturers for rebates and Medicare 
Part D drug discounts, reinsurance and other miscellaneous 
amounts due to the Company. 

The Company’s PBM businesses contract with 

pharmaceutical manufacturers, some of whom provide 
rebates based on use of the manufacturers’ products by its 
PBM businesses’ affiliated and non-affiliated clients. The 
Company accrues rebates as they are earned by its clients 
on a monthly basis based on the terms of the applicable 

contracts, historical data and current estimates. The PBM 
businesses bill these rebates to the manufacturers on a 
monthly or quarterly basis depending on the contractual 
terms. The PBM businesses record rebates attributable to 
affiliated clients as a reduction to medical costs. Rebates 
attributable to non-affiliated clients are accrued as rebates 
receivable and a reduction of cost of products sold with 
a corresponding payable for the amounts of the rebates 
to be remitted to non-affiliated clients in accordance 
with their contracts and recorded in the Consolidated 
Statements of Operations as a reduction of Product 
Revenue. The Company generally receives rebates from two 
to five months after billing. 

For details on the Company’s Medicare Part D receivables 

see “Medicare Part D Pharmacy Benefits” below. 

For details on the Company’s reinsurance receivable see 
“Future Policy Benefits and Reinsurance Receivable” below. 

Medicare Part D Pharmacy Benefits
The Company serves as a plan sponsor offering Medicare 
Part D prescription drug insurance coverage under contracts 
with CMS. Under the Medicare Part D program, there 
are seven separate elements of payment received by the 
Company during the plan year. These payment elements 
are as follows: 

•    CMS Premium. CMS pays a fixed monthly premium per 

member to the Company for the entire plan year.  

•    Member Premium. Additionally, certain members pay a 
fixed monthly premium to the Company for the entire 
plan year.

•    Low-Income Premium Subsidy. For qualifying low-
income members, CMS pays some or all of the 
member’s monthly premiums to the Company on the 
member’s behalf. 

•    Catastrophic Reinsurance Subsidy. CMS pays the 

Company a cost reimbursement estimate monthly to 
fund the CMS obligation to pay approximately 80% 
of the costs incurred by individual members in excess 
of the individual annual out-of-pocket maximum. A 
settlement is made with CMS based on actual cost 
experience, after the end of the plan year. 

•    Low-Income Member Cost Sharing Subsidy. For 

qualifying low-income members, CMS pays on the 
member’s behalf some or all of a member’s cost sharing 
amounts, such as deductibles and coinsurance. The cost 
sharing subsidy is funded by CMS through monthly 
payments to the Company. The Company administers 
and pays the subsidized portion of the claims on behalf 
of CMS, and a settlement payment is made between 
CMS and the Company based on actual claims and 
premium experience, after the end of the plan year. 
•    CMS Risk-Share. Premiums from CMS are subject to 

risk corridor provisions that compare costs targeted in 
the Company’s annual bids by product and region to 
actual prescription drug costs, limited to actual costs 
that would have been incurred under the standard 
coverage as defined by CMS. Variances of more than 
5% above or below the original bid submitted by 
the Company may result in CMS making additional 

payments to the Company or require the Company to 
refund to CMS a portion of the premiums it received. 
The Company estimates and recognizes an adjustment 
to premium revenues related to the risk corridor 
payment settlement based upon pharmacy claims 
experience to date. The estimate of the settlement 
associated with these risk corridor provisions requires 
the Company to consider factors that may not be 
certain, including estimates of eligible pharmacy 
costs and member eligibility status differences with 
CMS. The Company records risk-share adjustments to 
Premium Revenues in the Consolidated Statements of 
Operations and Other Policy Liabilities or Other Current 
Receivables in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. 

•    Drug Discount. Health Reform Legislation mandated 
a consumer discount on brand name prescription 
drugs for Medicare Part D plan participants in the 
coverage gap. This discount is funded by CMS and 
pharmaceutical manufacturers while the Company 
administers the application of these funds. Accordingly, 
amounts received are not reflected as premium 
revenues, but rather are accounted for as deposits. The 
Company records a liability when amounts are received 
from CMS and a receivable when the Company bills 
the pharmaceutical manufacturers. Related cash flows 
are presented as Customer Funds Administered within 
financing activities in the Consolidated Statements of 
Cash Flows.

2013 FORM 10-K

57

 The CMS Premium, the Member Premium, and the 

Low-Income Premium Subsidy represent payments for the 
Company’s insurance risk coverage under the Medicare 
Part D program and, therefore, are recorded as Premium 
Revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. 
Premium revenues are recognized ratably over the 
period in which eligible individuals are entitled to receive 
prescription drug benefits. The Company records premium 
payments received in advance of the applicable service 
period in Unearned Revenues in the Consolidated Balance 
Sheets.  
   The Catastrophic Reinsurance Subsidy and the Low-
Income Member Cost Sharing Subsidy (Subsidies) 
represent cost reimbursements under the Medicare Part 
D program. Amounts received for these Subsidies 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 Consolidated Statements of Cash 
Flows. 
   Pharmacy benefit costs and administrative costs under 
the contract are expensed as incurred and are recognized 
in Medical Costs and Operating Costs, respectively, in the 
Consolidated Statements of Operations.  
   The final 2013 risk-share amount is expected to be 
settled during the second half of 2014, and is subject to the 
reconciliation process with CMS. 

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

(in millions) 

Subsidies 

Drug Discount  Risk-Share 

Subsidies 

Drug Discount 

Risk-Share

Other current receivables 
881 
Other policy liabilities                                — 

$ 

$ 

425 
152 

$ 

 — 
214 

$ 

461 
 — 

$ 

314 
319 

$ 

 —
438

December 31, 2013 

December 31, 2012

   As of January 1, 2014, certain changes were made to 
the Medicare Part D individual coverage levels by CMS, 
including: 

•  The init ial coverage limit decreased to $2,850 from 

       $2,970 in 2013. 

•  The c atastrophic coverage begins at $6,455 as 

        compared to $6,734 in 2013. 

•  The annual out -of-pocket maximum decreased to 

        $4,550 from $4,750 in 2013. 

•  The dis count on prescription drugs within the coverage 

        gap of 52.5% is consistent with 2013 for brand name 
        drugs and increased to 28% from 21% in 2013 for 
        generic drugs.  

payroll costs of employees devoted to specific software 
development. 

The Company calculates depreciation and amortization 
using the straight-line method over the estimated useful 
lives of the assets. The useful lives for property, equipment 
and capitalized software are: 

Furniture, fixtures and equipment 
Buildings 
Leasehold improvements 

Capitalized software 

3 to 7 years
35 to 40 years
 7 years or length 
of lease term, 
whichever is shorter
3 to 5 years

Property, Equipment and Capitalized Software  
Property, equipment and capitalized software are stated 
at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. 
Capitalized software consists of certain costs incurred in the 
development of internal-use software, including external 
direct costs of materials and services and applicable 

Goodwill  
To determine whether goodwill is impaired, annually 
or more frequently if needed, the Company performs a 
multi-step impairment test. First, the Company estimates 
the fair values of its reporting units using discounted cash 
flows. To determine fair values, the Company must make 

 
 
 
 
 
58

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

assumptions about a wide variety of internal and external 
factors. Significant assumptions used in the impairment 
analysis include financial projections of free cash flow 
(including significant assumptions about operations, 
capital requirements and income taxes), long-term growth 
rates for determining terminal value, and discount rates. 
Comparative market multiples are used to corroborate the 
results of the discounted cash flow test. If the fair value 
is less than the carrying value of the reporting unit, then 
the implied value of goodwill would be calculated and 
compared to the carrying amount of goodwill to determine 
whether goodwill is impaired.  

As of December 31, 2013, no reporting unit had a 
fair value less than its carrying value and the Company 
concluded that there was no need for any impairment of 
goodwill.

Intangible assets 
The Company’s intangible assets are subject to impairment 
tests when events or circumstances indicate that an 
intangible asset (or asset group) may be impaired. The 
Company’s indefinite lived intangible assets are also 
tested for impairment annually. There were no material 
impairments of intangible assets during the year ended 
December 31, 2013.

Other Policy Liabilities  
Other policy liabilities include the RSF associated with the 
AARP Program (described below), health savings account 
deposits, deposits under the Medicare Part D program 
(see “Medicare Part D Pharmacy Benefits” above), accruals 
for premium rebate payments under Health Reform 
Legislation, the current portion of future policy benefits 
and customer balances. Customer balances represent excess 
customer payments and deposit accounts under experience-
rated contracts. At the customer’s option, these balances 
may be refunded or used to pay future premiums or claims 
under eligible contracts. 

Underwriting gains or losses related to the AARP 

Program are directly recorded as an increase or decrease 
to the RSF and accrue to the overall benefit of the AARP 
policyholders, unless cumulative net losses were to exceed 
the balance in the RSF. The primary components of the 
underwriting results are premium revenue, medical costs, 
investment income, administrative expenses, member 
service expenses, marketing expenses and premium taxes. 
To the extent underwriting losses exceed the balance in the 
RSF; losses would be borne by the Company. Deficits may 
be recovered by underwriting gains in future periods of 
the contract. To date, the Company has not been required 
to fund any underwriting deficits. Changes in the RSF are 
reported in Medical Costs in the Consolidated Statement of 
Operations. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the balance 
in the RSF was $1.3 billion.

Future Policy Benefits and Reinsurance Receivable
Future policy benefits represent account balances that 
accrue to the benefit of the policyholders, excluding 
surrender charges, for universal life and investment annuity 
products and for long-duration health policies sold to 

individuals for which some of the premium received in 
the earlier years is intended to pay benefits to be incurred 
in future years. As a result of the 2005 sale of the life 
and annuity business within the Company’s Golden Rule 
Financial Corporation subsidiary under an indemnity 
reinsurance arrangement, the Company has maintained 
a liability associated with the reinsured contracts, as it 
remains primarily liable to the policyholders, and has 
recorded a corresponding reinsurance receivable due from 
the purchaser. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had 
an aggregate $1.8 billion reinsurance receivable, of which 
$136 million was recorded in Other Current Receivables 
and $1.7 billion was recorded in Other Assets in the 
Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2012, 
the Company had an aggregate $1.9 billion reinsurance 
receivable, of which $135 million was recorded in Other 
Current Receivables and $1.8 billion was recorded in Other 
Assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company 
evaluates the financial condition of the reinsurer and 
only records the reinsurance receivable to the extent of 
probable recovery. As of December 31, 2013, the reinsurer 
was rated by A.M. Best as “A+.” 

Policy Acquisition Costs
The Company’s short duration health insurance contracts 
typically have a one-year term and may be canceled by 
the customer with at least 30 days notice. Costs related to 
the acquisition and renewal of short duration customer 
contracts are charged to expense as incurred.

Noncontrolling Interests
Noncontrolling interests in the Company’s subsidiaries 
whose redemption is outside the control of the Company 
are classified as temporary equity. The redeemable 
noncontrolling interests are primarily related to non-public 
shareholders of Amil. During 2013, the Company increased 
its ownership of Amil to 90%. For the year ended December 
31, 2013, redeemable noncontrolling interests were 
reduced by $946 million primarily due to the acquisition of 
all of Amil’s remaining public shares for $1.4 billion, with an 
additional $57 million recorded as a reduction to Additional 
Paid in Capital, partially offset by 2013 acquisitions that 
included redeemable noncontrolling interests of $471 
million. At Amil’s acquisition date in 2012, the Company 
purchased approximately 60% of the outstanding shares 
of Amil for $3.2 billion, and recorded a noncontrolling 
interest of $2.2 billion. Subsequently in 2012, the Company 
purchased an additional 5% of the outstanding shares of 
Amil for $319 million.

Share-Based Compensation
The Company recognizes compensation expense for 
share-based awards, including stock options, stock-settled 
stock appreciation rights (SARs) and restricted stock and 
restricted stock units (collectively, 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. Restricted shares vest ratably; primarily over 
three to four years and compensation expense related to 

2013 FORM 10-K

59

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) 
addresses the recognition and classification of an entity’s 
share of the annual health insurance industry assessment 
(the industry fee) mandated by Health Reform Legislation. 
The industry fee is levied on health insurers for each 
calendar year beginning on or after January 1, 2014 and 
is not deductible for income tax purposes. The amount of 
the industry fee for each health insurer is based on a ratio 
of the insurer’s net health insurance premiums written for 
the previous calendar year compared to the U.S. health 
insurance industry total net premiums. In accordance 
with the amendments in ASU 2011-06 on January 1, 2014, 
the liability for the industry fee payable in 2014 will be 
estimated and recorded in full within the Company’s 2014 
financial statements, with a corresponding deferred cost 
that will be amortized to expense using a straight-line 
method of allocation over the calendar year that it is 
payable.

The Company has determined that there have been no 
other recently adopted or issued accounting standards that 
had, or will have, a material impact on its Consolidated 
Financial Statements.

restricted shares is based on the share price on date of 
grant. Stock options and SARs vest ratably over four to six 
years and may be exercised up to 10 years from the date 
of grant. Compensation expense related to stock options 
and SARs is based on the fair value at date of grant, which 
is estimated on the date of grant using a binomial option-
pricing model. Under the Company’s Employee Stock 
Purchase Plan (ESPP) eligible employees are allowed to 
purchase the Company’s stock at a discounted price, which 
is 85% of the lower market price of the Company’s common 
stock at the beginning or at the end of the six-month 
purchase period. Share-based compensation expense for all 
programs is recognized in Operating Costs in the Company’s 
Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Net Earnings Per Common Share 
The Company computes basic net earnings per common 
share by dividing net earnings by the weighted-average 
number of common shares outstanding during the 
period. The Company determines diluted net earnings per 
common share using the weighted-average number of 
common shares outstanding during the period, adjusted 
for potentially dilutive shares associated with stock options, 
SARs, restricted shares and the ESPP, (collectively, common 
stock equivalents) using the treasury stock method. The 
treasury stock method assumes a hypothetical issuance of 
shares to settle the share-based awards, with the assumed 
proceeds used to purchase common stock at the average 
market price for the period. Assumed proceeds include 
the amount the employee must pay upon exercise, any 
unrecognized compensation cost and any related excess 
tax benefit. The difference between the number of shares 
assumed issued and number of shares assumed purchased 
represents the dilutive shares.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards 
In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards 
Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Updated 
(ASU) No. 2013-02, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): 
Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated 
Other Comprehensive Income” (ASU 2013-02). ASU 2013-
02 requires companies to report the effect of significant 
reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive 
income, by component, either on the face of the financial 
statements or in the notes to the financial statements and 
is intended to help entities improve the transparency of 
changes in other comprehensive income. ASU 2013-02 does 
not amend any existing requirements for reporting net 
income or other comprehensive income in the financial 
statements. ASU 2013-02 became effective for the 
Company’s fiscal year 2013 and the new disclosures have 
been included with the Company’s investment disclosures in 
Note 3.

60

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

3.  INVESTMENTS
A summary of short-term and long-term investments by major security type is as follows:

(in millions) 

December 31, 2013
Debt securities - available-for-sale:

Amortized 
Cost 

Gross 
Unrealized 
Gains 

Gross
Unrealized 
Losses 

Fair 
Value

U.S. government and agency obligations 
State and municipal obligations 
Corporate obligations 
U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 
Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 

$ 

Total debt securities - available-for-sale 

Equity securities - available-for-sale 
Debt securities - held-to-maturity: 

U.S. government and agency obligations 
State and municipal obligations 
Corporate obligations 

Total debt securities - held-to-maturity 

2,211 
6,902 
7,265 
2,256 
697 

19,331 

1,576 

181 
28 
334 

543 

$ 

5 
147 
130 
23 
12 

317 

9 

$ 

(21) 
(72) 
(60) 
             (61) 
               (7) 

(221) 

(13) 

1                            —  
 —                            —  
 —                           —  

1                            —  

$ 

2,195
6,977
7,335
2,218
702

19,427

1,572

182
28
334

544

Total investments 

$ 

21,450 

$ 

327 

$ 

(234) 

$ 

21,543

December 31, 2012
Debt securities - available-for-sale: 

U.S. government and agency obligations 
State and municipal obligations 
Corporate obligations 
U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 
Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 

$ 

Total debt securities - available-for-sale 

Equity securities - available-for-sale 
Debt securities - held-to-maturity:

U.S. government and agency obligations 
State and municipal obligations 
Corporate obligations 

Total debt securities - held-to-maturity 

2,501 
6,282 
6,930 
2,168 
538 

18,419 

668 

168 
30 
641 

839 

$ 

38 
388 
283 

$             (1) 
(3) 
(4) 
70                           —  
36                           —  

815 

10 

(8) 

(1) 

6                           —  
—                           —  
2                           —  

8                           —  

$ 

2,538
6,667
7,209
2,238
574

19,226

677

174
30
643

847

Total investments 

$ 

19,926 

$ 

833 

$ 

(9) 

$ 

20,750

The fair values of the Company’s mortgage-backed securities by credit rating (when multiple credit ratings are available for 
an individual security, the average of the available ratings is used) and origination date as of December 31, 2013 were as 
follows:

(in millions) 

        AAA 

                  AA                       Grade                       Value

                           Non-Investment          Total Fair

2013                                                                                    $            130             $              —             $             — 
               — 
2012 
               — 
2011 
               — 
2010 
               — 
2009 
                2 
2007 
              10 
Pre - 2007 
               — 
U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 

                      — 
                      — 
                      — 
                      — 
                      — 
                        3 
                      — 

              106 
                20 
                26 
                  2 
                63 
              340 
           2,218 

 $          130
                   106
                     20 
                     26
                       2
                     65
                   353
                2,218

Total                                                                                   $         2,905             $                3             $             12            

$       2,920

The Company includes any securities backed by Alt-A or sub-prime mortgages and any commercial mortgage loans in 
default in the non-investment grade column in the table above. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale debt securities as of December 31, 2013, by contractual maturity, 
were as follows:

2013 FORM 10-K

61

(in millions) 

Due in one year or less 
Due after one year through five years 
Due after five years through ten years 
Due after ten years 
U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 
Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 
Total debt securities - available-for-sale 

Amortized 
Cost 

$  2,042 
  7,121 
  5,164 
  2,051 
  2,256 
697 
$ 19,331 

Fair
Value

$  2,054
  7,235
  5,182
  2,036
  2,218
702
$ 19,427

The amortized cost and fair value of held-to-maturity debt securities as of December 31, 2013, by contractual maturity, were 
as follows:

(in millions) 

Due in one year or less 
Due after one year through five years 
Due after five years through ten years 
Due after ten years 
Total debt securities - held-to-maturity 

Amortized 
Cost 

$ 

$ 

78 
231 
154 
80 
543 

Fair
Value

$ 

78
230
156
80
$  544

The fair value of available-for-sale investments with gross unrealized losses by major security type and length of time that 
individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position were as follows:

(in millions) 

December 31, 2013
Debt securities - available-for-sale: 

Less Than 12 Months 
Gross  
Unrealized 
Losses  

Fair  
Value 

12 Months or Greater 
 Gross  
Unrealized   
Losses  

Fair  
Value  

Total

Fair  
Value  

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

U.S. government and agency obligations  $  1,055 
  2,491 
State and municipal obligations 
  2,573 
Corporate obligations 
  1,393 
289 
$  7,801 

    U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 
    Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 
Total debt securities - available-for-sale 

$ 

(19) 
(62) 
(51) 
(51) 
(6) 
$  (189) 

$ 

$ 

17 
128 
103 
105 
26 
379 

$ 

$ 

(2) 
(10) 
(9) 
(10) 
(1) 
(32) 

$  1,072 
  2,619 
  2,676 
  1,498 
315 
$  8,180 

Equity securities - available-for-sale 

$ 

180 

$ 

(13) 

$  — 

$  — 

$ 

180 

December 31, 2012
Debt securities - available-for-sale: 
    U.S. government and agency obligations  $ 

State and municipal obligations 
Corporate obligations 

183 
362 
695 

Total debt securities - available-for-sale 

$  1,240 

Equity securities - available-for-sale 

$ 

13 

$ 

$ 

$ 

(1) 
(3) 
(4) 

(8) 

(1) 

$  — 

$       —  
—                   —  
—                   —  

$ 

183 
362 
695 

$  — 

$       —  

$  1,240 

$  — 

$       —  

$ 

13 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

(21)
(72)
(60) 
(61) 
(7) 
(221)

(13)

(1)
(3)
(4)

(8)

(1)

The unrealized losses from all securities as of December 31, 2013 were generated from approximately 6,400 positions 

out of a total of 19,700 positions. The Company believes that it will collect the principal and interest due on its debt 
securities that have an amortized cost in excess of fair value. The unrealized losses were primarily caused by interest rate 
increases and not by unfavorable changes in the credit ratings associated with these securities. At each reporting period, 
the Company evaluates securities for impairment when the fair value of the investment is less than its amortized cost. The 
Company evaluated the underlying credit quality and credit ratings of the issuers, noting neither a significant deterioration 
since purchase nor other factors leading to an other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI). Therefore, the Company believes 
these losses to be temporary. As of December 31, 2013, the Company did not have the intent to sell any of the securities in 
an unrealized loss position.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
62

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

The Company’s investments in equity securities consist of investments in Brazilian real denominated fixed-income funds, 

employee savings plan related investments, private equity funds, and dividend paying stocks. The Company evaluated its 
investments in equity securities for severity and duration of unrealized loss, overall market volatility and other market 
factors.

Net realized gains reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income were from the following sources:

(in millions) 

For the Years Ended December 31,
2012 

     2013 

2011

Total OTTI                                                                                              $ 

Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income 
Net OTTI recognized in earnings 
Gross realized losses from sales 
Gross realized gains from sales 

Net realized gains (included in Investment and  
   Other Income on the Consolidated Statements  
   of Operations) 
Income tax effect (included in Provision for Income 
   Taxes on the Consolidated Statements of Operations) 

(8) 

— 
(8) 
(9) 
198 

$ 

(6) 

          $          (12)

—                               —
(6)                            (12)
(13)                            (11)
175                            136

181 

156                            113 

                 (66) 

              (57)                           (41) 

Realized gains, net of taxes                                                                 $ 

115 

$ 

99 

 $           72

4.  FAIR VALUE 
Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value 
in the Consolidated Financial Statements or have fair 
values disclosed in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial 
Statements. These assets and liabilities are classified into 
one of three levels of a hierarchy defined by 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 is categorized in its entirety 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 summarized as follows:

Level 1 — Quoted prices (unadjusted) 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/liabilities 
in non-active markets (e.g., few transactions, limited 
information, non-current prices, high variability over 
time);

•  Input s other than quoted prices that are observable for
    the asset/liability (e.g., interest rates, yield curves,
    implied volatilities, credit spreads); and
•    Inputs that are corroborated by other observable 

market data.

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

   Transfers between levels, if any, are recorded as of the 
beginning of the reporting period in which the transfer 
occurs; there were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 or 3 

of any financial assets or liabilities during the years ended 
December 31, 2013 or 2012. 
   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 years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, or 2011. 
   The following methods and assumptions were used 
to estimate the fair value and determine the fair value 
hierarchy classification of each class of financial instrument 
included in the tables below:

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 and Equity Securities. Fair values of 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, and, if necessary, makes 
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 a secondary pricing 
source, such as 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 reviews of 
fair value methodology documentation provided by 
independent pricing services have not historically resulted 
in adjustment in the prices obtained from the pricing 
service.
   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. 
   Fair value estimates for Level 1 and Level 2 equity 
securities are based on quoted market prices for actively 
traded equity securities 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 a market valuation 
technique that relies heavily on management assumptions 
and qualitative observations. Under the market approach, 
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 Company’s market modeling 
utilizes, as applicable, transactions for comparable 
companies in similar industries and having similar revenue 
and growth characteristics; and similar preferences in their 
capital structure. Key significant unobservable inputs in 
the market technique include implied earnings before 
interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) 

2013 FORM 10-K

63

multiples and revenue multiples. Additionally, the fair 
values of certain of the Company’s venture capital securities 
are based off of recent transactions in inactive markets for 
identical or similar securities. Significant changes in any of 
these inputs could result in significantly lower or higher fair 
value measurements. 
   Throughout the procedures discussed above in relation to 
the Company’s processes for validating third-party pricing 
information, the Company validates the understanding 
of assumptions and inputs used in security pricing and 
determines the proper classification in the hierarchy based 
on that understanding.

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 debt and equity securities.

Interest Rate and Currency Swaps. Fair values of the 
Company’s swaps are estimated using the terms of the 
swaps and publicly available information including market 
yield curves. Because the swaps are unique and not actively 
traded but are valued using other observable inputs, the 
fair values are classified as Level 2.

Long-term Debt. The fair value of the Company’s long-
term debt is estimated and classified using the same 
methodologies as the Company’s investments in debt 
securities.

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.

64

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

The following table presents a summary of fair value measurements by level and carrying values for items measured at fair 
value on a recurring basis in the Consolidated Balance Sheets excluding AARP Program-related assets and liabilities, which 
are presented in a separate table below:

Total assets at fair value 

$ 

10,071 

$ 

17,893             $ 

(in millions) 

December 31, 2013
Cash and cash equivalents 
Debt securities - available-for-sale:

U.S. government and agency obligations 
State and municipal obligations 
Corporate obligations 
U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 
Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 

Total debt securities - available-for-sale 
Equity securities - available-for-sale 

Percentage of total assets at fair value 

Interest rate swap liabilities 

December 31, 2012
Cash and cash equivalents 
Debt securities - available-for-sale:

U.S. government and agency obligations 
State and municipal obligations 
Corporate obligations 
U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 
Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 

Total debt securities - available-for-sale 
Equity securities - available-for-sale 

Interest rate swap assets 

Total assets at fair value 

Quoted Prices 
in Active 
Markets 
(Level 1) 

Other 
Observable 
Inputs 
(Level 2) 

Unobservable 
Inputs 
(Level 3) 

$ 

7,005 

$ 

271 

$ 

1,750 
— 
25 
— 
— 

1,775 
1,291 

445 
6,977 
7,274 
2,218 
696 

17,610 
12 

$ 

$ 

36% 

— 

7,615 

1,752 
— 
13 
— 
— 

1,765 
450 

— 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

63% 

163 

791 

786 
6,667 
7,185 
2,238 
568 

17,444 
3 

— 

— 
— 
36 
— 
6 

42 
269 

311 

1% 

— 

— 

— 
— 
11 
— 
6 

17 
224 

Total
Fair and
Carrying 
Value

$ 

7,276

2,195
6,977
7,335
2,218
702

19,427
1,572 

$ 

28,275

$ 

$ 

100%

163

8,406

2,538
6,667
7,209
2,238
574

19,226
677

$ 

9,830 

$ 

18,252 

$ 

241 

$ 

28,323

14                            —                             14

Percentage of total assets at fair value 

35% 

64% 

1% 

100%

Interest rate and currency swap liabilities                        $              —           $            14 

             $             —            $             14

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table presents a summary of fair value measurements by level and carrying values for certain financial 
instruments not measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:

2013 FORM 10-K

65

Quoted Prices 
in Active 
Markets 
(Level 1) 

Other 

Observable  Unobservable 

Inputs 
(Level 2) 

Inputs 
(Level 3) 

Total 
Fair 
Value 

Total
Carrying 
Value

(in millions) 

December 31, 2013
Debt securities - held-to-maturity:

U.S. government and agency obligations 
State and municipal obligations 
Corporate obligations 

Total debt securities - held-to-maturity 

$ 

$ 

Long-term debt and other financing obligations  $ 

December 31, 2012
Debt securities - held-to-maturity: 

U.S. government and agency obligations 
State and municipal obligations 
Corporate obligations 

Total debt securities - held-to-maturity 

Long-term debt 

$ 

$ 

$ 

182 
— 
47 

229 

— 

174 
— 
10 

184 

— 

$ 

$ 

— 
— 
9 

9 

$  16,602 

$ 

$ 

— 
1 
346 

347 

$  17,034 

$  — 
28 
278 

$ 

306 

$  — 

$  — 
29 
287 

$ 

316 

$  — 

$ 

$ 

182 
28 
334 

544 

$ 

$ 

181
28
334

543

$ 16,602 

$ 15,745

$ 

$ 

174 
30 
643 

847 

$ 

$ 

168
30
641

839

$ 17,034 

$ 15,167

The carrying amounts reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for other current financial assets and liabilities 
approximate fair value because of their short-term nature. These assets and liabilities are not listed in the table above.

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: 

(in millions) 

Securities  Securities 

Total 

Securities  Securities 

Total 

Securities  Securities 

Total

December 31, 2013 
Equity 

Debt 

December 31, 2012 
Equity 

Debt  

December 31, 2011 
Equity

Debt  

$ 

at beginning of period 

17  $  224 
71 
38 
(25) 
        (10) 

Balance 
Purchases 
Sales 
Settlements                                                 —               —             —   
Net unrealized losses 
   in accumulated other  
   comprehensive income                            (2)  
Net realized (losses) gains 

          (7) 

$  208 
$  241 
109 
11 
(35)             —  

$ 

$  141 
209  $  417 
71 
92 
82 
(34)         (34)              —  
(25) 
(1) 

$  349
$  208 
35 
127
(17)            (17)
         (7)            (32)  

(1)               —    

(9)             —   

(14)   

(14)             —   

         (4) 

(4)

in investment and other income            (1) 

6 

Transfers to held-to-maturity 

         —             —               —  

5              —                 13            13              —              (6) 
  — 

          (21)       (222)             —  

      (201) 

          (6)
—

Balance 

at 

end  of

  period 

$ 

42  $  269 

$  311 

$ 

17 

$ 

224  $  241 

$  208 

$  209 

$  417

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
66

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

The following table presents quantitative information regarding unobservable inputs that were significant to the valuation 
of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs: 

                                                          Fair 
(in millions)                                     Value                      Valuation Technique                       Unobservable Input        Low       High

Range

December 31, 2013

Equity securities - available-for-sale

Venture capital portfolios 

$233

Market approach - comparable companies 

Revenue multiple             1.0             6.0

36 

Market approach - recent transactions 

Inactive market transactions            N/A           N/A

EBITDA multiple             8.0             9.0

Total equity securities

available-for-sale 

$269 

Also included in the Company’s assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs were $42 million of 

available-for-sale debt securities at December 31, 2013, which were not significant.

The Company elected to measure the entirety of the AARP Assets Under Management at fair value pursuant to the fair 
value option. See Note 2 for further information on the AARP Program. The following table presents fair value information 
about the AARP Program-related financial assets and liabilities:

(in millions) 

December 31, 2013
Cash and cash equivalents 
Debt securities:

U.S. government and agency obligations 
State and municipal obligations 
Corporate obligations 
U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 
Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 

Total debt securities 
Equity securities - available-for-sale 

Total assets at fair value 

Other liabilities 

December 31, 2012
Cash and cash equivalents 
Debt securities:

U.S. government and agency obligations 
State and municipal obligations 
Corporate obligations 
U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 
Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 

Total debt securities 
Equity securities - available-for-sale 

Total assets at fair value 

Other liabilities 

Quoted Prices 
in Active 
Markets 
(Level 1) 

Other 
Observable 
Inputs 
(Level 2) 

Total
Fair and
Carrying
Value

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

265 

426 
— 
— 
— 
— 

426 
— 

691 

3 

230 

545 
— 
— 
— 
— 

545 
— 

775 

23 

$ 

— 

$ 

265

301 
63 
1,145 
414 
139 

2,062 
4 

2,066 

11 

— 

244 
51 
1,118 
427 
155 

1,995 
3 

1,998 

58 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

727
63
1,145
414
139

2,488
4

2,757

14

230

789
51
1,118
427
155

2,540
3

2,773

81

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5.  PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT AND CAPITALIZED SOFTWARE
A summary of property, equipment and capitalized software is as follows:  

(in millions) 

Land and improvements 
Buildings and improvements 
Computer equipment 
Furniture and fixtures 
Less accumulated depreciation 

Property and equipment, net 

Capitalized software 
Less accumulated amortization 

Capitalized software, net 

Total property, equipment and capitalized software, net 

2013 FORM 10-K

67

December 31, 2013 

December 31, 2012

$ 

$ 

318 
2,051 
1,519 
564 
(1,760) 

2,692 

2,233 
(915) 

1,318 

4,010 

$ 

$ 

358
1,910
1,447
488
(1,542)

2,661

2,300
(1,022)

1,278

3,939

Depreciation expense for property and equipment for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $445 million, 
$449 million and $386 million, respectively. Amortization expense for capitalized software for the years ended December 31, 
2013, 2012 and 2011 was $411 million, $412 million and $377 million, respectively. 

6.  GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill, by reportable segment, were as follows:

(in millions) 

UnitedHealthcare  OptumHealth 

OptumInsight 

OptumRx 

Consolidated

Balance at January 1, 2012 
Acquisitions 
Foreign currency effects and  
   adjustments, net 

Balance at December 31, 2012 
Acquisitions 
Dispositions 
Foreign currency effects and  
   adjustments, net 

$ 

17,932 
6,557 

$ 

(30) 

24,459 
408 
                   (5) 

2,113 
705 

— 

2,818 
48 
— 

$ 

3,090 
98 

$ 

(19) 

3,169 
483 
— 

(611) 

(6)                              1  

Balance at December 31, 2013 

$ 

24,251 

$ 

2,860 

$ 

3,653 

$ 

840 
— 

— 

840 
— 
— 

— 

840 

$ 

23,975
7,360

(49)

31,286
939 
                   (5)

(616)

$ 

31,604

In the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company purchased Amil, a health care company located in Brazil, providing health 
and dental benefits, hospital and clinical services, and advanced care management resources to nearly 7 million people. 
During 2013, the Company acquired all of Amil’s remaining public shares for $1.5 billion, bringing the Company’s ownership 
of Amil to 90%. The remaining stake in Amil is held by shareholders, including Amil’s CEO, who has been a member of the 
Company’s Board of Directors since October 2012, who have committed to retain the shares for at least five years, through 
October 2017. These shareholders have the right to put the shares to the Company and the Company has the right to call 
these shares upon expiration of the five year term, unless accelerated upon certain events, at fair market value. Related to 
this acquisition, Amil’s CEO invested approximately $470 million in unregistered UnitedHealth Group common shares in the 
fourth quarter of 2012 and has committed to hold those shares for the same five year term, subject to certain exceptions.
The total consideration paid and fair value of the noncontrolling interest exceeded the estimated fair value of the net 
tangible assets acquired by $6.0 billion, of which $0.7 billion has been allocated to finite-lived intangible assets, $0.7 billion 
to indefinite-lived intangible assets and $4.6 billion to goodwill. In conjunction with the Amil share purchases, the Company 
generated Brazilian tax deductible goodwill of approximately R$8.9 billion ($3.8 billion in U.S. dollars at December 31, 
2013). 

For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, aggregate consideration paid, net of cash assumed, for 

acquisitions other than Amil was $0.4 billion, $3.3 billion and $1.8 billion, respectively. These acquisitions were not material 
to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
68

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

The gross carrying value, accumulated amortization and net carrying value of other intangible assets were as follows: 

December 31, 2013 

December 31, 2012 

Gross 

Net    

 Gross  

Net

(in millions) 

Customer-related 
Trademarks and technology 
Trademarks - indefinite-lived 
Other 

Carrying   Accumulated  Carrying  
Amortization  

Value  

Value 

  Carrying  Accumulated   Carrying

Value   Amortization  

Value

$  (2,028) 
$  4,821 
433 
(191) 
589                  —   
(64) 
284 

$  2,793 
242 
589 
220 

$  3,600
$  (1,629) 
$  5,229 
445 
299
(146) 
611                   —                   611
172
(49) 
221 

Total 

$  6,127 

$  (2,283) 

$  3,844 

$  6,506 

$  (1,824) 

$  4,682

The acquisition date fair values and weighted-average useful lives assigned to finite-lived intangible assets acquired in 
business combinations consisted of the following by year of acquisition:

2013 

2012

(in millions, except years) 
Customer-related 
Trademarks and technology 
Other 

Weighted-  
Average 

Weighted- 
Average
Fair Value   Useful Life   Fair Value   Useful Life
$ 

 12 years 
 12 years 

$  1,530 
79 
111 

  8 years
  4 years
 15 years

55 
27 
— 

Total acquired finite-lived intangible assets 

$ 

82 

 12 years 

$  1,720 

  9 years

Estimated full year amortization expense relating to intangible assets for each of the next five years ending December 31 is 
as follows:

(in millions) 

2014 
2015 
2016 
2017 
2018 

$ 

500
478
449
411
332

Amortization expense relating to intangible assets for 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $519 million, $448 million and $361 million, 
respectively.  

 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2013 FORM 10-K

69

7.  MEDICAL COSTS AND MEDICAL COSTS PAYABLE
The following table provides details of the Company’s net favorable medical cost development: 

(in millions) 

Related to Prior Years 

For the Years Ended December 31,
2012 

2013 

2011

$ 

680 

$ 

860 

$ 

720 

The net favorable development for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 was primarily driven by lower than 
expected health system utilization levels. The years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 were also impacted by increased 
efficiency in claims processing and handling. 

  The following table shows the components of the change in medical costs payable for the years ended December 31: 

(in millions) 

Medical costs payable, beginning of period 
Acquisitions 
Reported medical costs: 

Current year 
Prior years 

Total reported medical costs 

Claim payments:

Payments for current year 
Payments for prior year 

Total claim payments 
Medical costs payable, end of period 

2013 

$ 

11,004 
— 

89,970 
(680) 

89,290 

(78,989) 
(9,730) 
(88,719) 
11,575 

$ 

2012 

$ 

9,799 
1,029 

81,086 
(860) 

80,226 

(71,832) 
(8,218) 
(80,050) 
$  11,004 

$ 

2011

9,220
155

75,052 
(720)

74,332 

(65,763)
(8,145)
(73,908)
9,799 

$ 

 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
70

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

8.  COMMERCIAL PAPER AND LONG-TERM DEBT
Commercial paper and senior unsecured long-term debt consisted of the following:

(in millions) 

Commercial Paper 
4.875% notes due February 2013 
4.875% notes due April 2013 
4.750% notes due February 2014 
5.000% notes due August 2014 
Floating-rate notes due August 2014 
4.875% notes due March 2015 (a) 
0.850% notes due October 2015 (a) 
5.375% notes due March 2016 (a) 
1.875% notes due November 2016 
5.360% notes due November 2016 
6.000% notes due June 2017 
1.400% notes due October 2017 (a) 
6.000% notes due November 2017 
6.000% notes due February 2018 
1.625% notes due March 2019 (a) 
3.875% notes due October 2020 (a) 
4.700% notes due February 2021 
3.375% notes due November 2021 (a) 
2.875% notes due March 2022 (a) 
0.000% notes due November 2022 
2.750% notes due February 2023 (a) 
2.875% notes due March 2023 (a) 
5.800% notes due March 2036 
6.500% notes due June 2037 
6.625% notes due November 2037 
6.875% notes due February 2038 
5.700% notes due October 2040 
5.950% notes due February 2041 
4.625% notes due November 2041 
4.375% notes due March 2042 
3.950% notes due October 2042 
4.250% notes due March 2043 

December 31, 2013 
Carrying 
Value 

Par  
Value 

Fair 
Value 

December 31, 2012 
Carrying 
Value  

Fair
Value

Par 
Value  

$  1,115 
— 
— 
172 
389 
250 
416 
625 
601 
400 
95 
441 
625 
156 
  1,100 
500 
450 
400 
500 
  1,100 
15 
625 
750 
850 
500 
650 
  1,100 
300 
350 
600 
502 
625 
750 

$  1,115 
— 
— 
173 
397 
250 
431 
624 
641 
398 
95 
479 
613 
168 
  1,116 
489 
435 
416 
472 
981 
9 
563 
729 
845 
495 
645 
  1,084 
298 
348 
593 
486 
611 
740 

$  1,115 
— 
— 
173 
400 
250 
436 
628 
657 
408 
107 
506 
617 
178 
  1,271 
481 
474 
436 
494 
  1,046 
10 
572 
698 
935 
593 
786 
  1,370 
329 
397 
567 
459 
530 
673 

$  1,587 
534 
409 
172 
389 
— 
416 
625 
601 
400 
95 
441 
625 
156 
  1,100 
— 
450 
400 
500 
  1,100 
15 
625 
— 
850 
500 
650 
  1,100 
300 
350 
600 
502 
625 
— 

$  1,587 
534 
411 
178 
411 
— 
444 
623 
660 
397 
95 
489 
622 
170 
  1,120 
— 
442 
417 
512 
998 
9 
619 
— 
845 
495 
645 
  1,084 
298 
348 
593 
486 
611 
— 

$  1,587 
536 
413 
180 
414 
— 
453 
627 
682 
412 
110 
528
626 
191 
  1,339 
— 
499 
466 
533 
  1,128 
11 
631 
— 
  1,025 
659 
860 
  1,510 
364 
440
641 
521 
622 
— 

Total U.S. dollar denominated debt 

  16,952 

  16,739 

  17,596 

  16,117 

  16,143 

  18,008 

Cetip Interbank Deposit Rate (CDI) + 
   1.3% Subsidiary floating debt due October 2013 
CDI + 1.45% Subsidiary floating debt due October 2014  
110% CDI Subsidiary floating debt due December 2014  
CDI + 1.6% Subsidiary floating debt due October 2015   
Brazilian Extended National Consumer Price Index (IPCA) 
   + 7.61% Subsidiary floating debt due October 2015 

Total Brazilian real denominated debt (in U.S. dollars) 

— 
— 
— 
— 

— 

— 

— 
— 
— 
— 

— 

— 

— 
— 
— 
— 

— 

— 

147 
147 
147 
74 

73 

588 

148 
149 
151 
76 

87 

611 

150 
150 
147 
76 

90 

613 

Total commercial paper and long-term debt 

$ 16,952 

$ 16,739 

$ 17,596 

$ 16,705 

$ 16,754 

$ 18,621 

(a)   Fixed-rate debt instruments hedged with interest rate swap contracts. See below for more information on the 

Company’s interest rate swaps.

As of December 31, 2013, the Company’s long-term debt obligations also included $121 million of other financing 
obligations, of which $34 million were current.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maturities of commercial paper and long-term debt for the years ending December 31 are as follows: 

(in millions) 

2014 
2015 
2016 
2017 
2018 
Thereafter 

2013 FORM 10-K

71

$  1,969
1,086
1,140
1,266
1,116
  10,283

Commercial Paper and Bank Credit Facilities 
Commercial paper consists of short-duration, senior unsecured debt privately placed on a discount basis through broker-
dealers. As of December 31, 2013, the Company’s outstanding commercial paper had a weighted-average annual interest 
rate of 0.2%.

The Company has $3.0 billion five-year and $1.0 billion 364-day revolving bank credit facilities with 23 banks, which 
mature in November 2018 and November 2014, respectively. These facilities provide liquidity support for the Company’s 
$4.0 billion commercial paper program and are available for general corporate purposes. There were no amounts 
outstanding under these facilities as of December 31, 2013. The interest rates on borrowings are variable based on term 
and are calculated based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus a credit spread based on the Company’s senior 
unsecured credit ratings. As of December 31, 2013, the annual interest rates on both bank credit facilities, had they been 
drawn, would have ranged from 1.0% to 1.2%.

Debt Covenants
The Company’s bank credit facilities contain various covenants including requiring the Company to maintain a debt to debt-
plus-equity ratio of not more than 50%. The Company was in compliance with its debt covenants as of December 31, 2013.

Interest Rate Swap Contracts 
The Company uses interest rate swap contracts to convert a portion of its interest rate exposure from fixed rates to 
floating rates to more closely align interest expense with interest income received on its cash equivalent and variable rate 
investment balances. The floating rates are benchmarked to LIBOR. The swaps are designated as fair value hedges on the 
Company’s fixed-rate debt. Since the critical terms of the swaps match those of the debt being hedged, they are assumed to 
be highly effective hedges and all changes in fair value of the swaps are recorded as an adjustment to the carrying value of 
the related debt with no net impact recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The following table summarizes the location and fair value of the interest rate swap fair value hedges on the Company’s 
Consolidated Balance Sheet:

Type of Fair Value Hedge  

Notional Amount 

Fair Value 

Balance Sheet Location 

    (in billions) 

             (in millions) 

December 31, 2013 
Interest rate swap contracts 
December 31, 2012 
Interest rate swap contracts 

$ 

$ 

6.2 

2.8 

$          163 

Other liabilities

$            14 
11 

Other assets
Other liabilities

The following table provides a summary of the effect of changes in fair value of fair value hedges on the Company’s 
Consolidated Statements of Operations: 

(in millions) 

For the Years Ended December 31,
         2013                   2012                   2011 

Hedge - interest rate swap (loss) gain recognized in interest expense  
Hedged item - long-term debt gain (loss) recognized in interest expense 
Net impact on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations 

   $        (166) 
                166 
   $            — 

  $             3          $           
                (3) 
  $           — 

190
        (190)
$       
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
72

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

9.  INCOME TAXES
The current income tax provision reflects the tax consequences of revenues and expenses currently taxable or deductible 
on various income tax returns for the year reported. The deferred income tax provision or benefit generally reflects the net 
change in deferred income tax assets and liabilities during the year, excluding any deferred income tax assets and liabilities 
of acquired businesses. The components of the provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31 are as follows: 

(in millions) 

Current Provision:

Federal 
State and local 

Total current provision 
Deferred provision 

Total provision for income taxes 

2013 

2012 

2011

$ 

$ 

3,004 
237 

3,241 
1 

3,242 

$ 

2,638 
150 

2,788 
308 

$ 

3,096 

$ 

$ 

2,608
150

2,758
59

2,817

The reconciliation of the tax provision at the U.S. federal statutory rate to the provision for income taxes and the effective 
tax rate for the years ended December 31 is as follows: 

(in millions, except percentages) 

2013 

2012 

2011

Tax provision at the U.S. federal statutory rate 
State income taxes, net of federal benefit 
Settlement of state exams, net of federal benefit 
Tax-exempt investment income 
(0.6) 
0.5 
Non-deductible compensation 
Other, net                                                                                    9         0.1 

$ 3,120  
126  
1 
(53) 
39  

35.0% 
1.4 
1.7 
—                         2            — 
(0.7) 
0.2 
(0.3) 

(59) 
22  
(30) 

$ 3,018      35.0% 

143  

$  2,785 
136 

35.0%
1.7
         (29)       (0.4)
(0.8)
0.1
(0.2)

(63) 
10 
         (22) 

Provision for income taxes 

$ 3,242       36.4% 

$  3,096  

35.9% 

$   2,817 

35.4%

The higher effective income tax rate for 2013 as compared to 2012 primarily resulted from the favorable resolution of 
various one-time tax matters in 2012.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the differences between the financial and income tax reporting
bases of assets and liabilities based on enacted tax rates and laws. The components of deferred income tax assets and 
liabilities as of December 31 are as follows:   

2013 FORM 10-K

73

(in millions) 

Deferred income tax assets: 

Accrued expenses and allowances 
U.S. federal and state net operating loss carryforwards 
Share-based compensation 
Long-term liabilities 

    Medical costs payable and other policy liabilities 

Non-U.S. tax loss carryforwards 
Unearned revenues 
Unrecognized tax benefits 
Other - domestic 
Other - non-U.S. 

Subtotal 
Less: valuation allowances 

Total deferred income tax assets 

Deferred income tax liabilities:

U.S. federal and state intangible assets 
Non-U.S. goodwill and intangible assets 

    Capitalized software 

Net unrealized gains on investments 
Depreciation and amortization 
Prepaid expenses 
Other-non-U.S. 

Total deferred income tax liabilities 

Net deferred income tax liabilities 

2013 

2012

$ 

$ 

284 
257 
200 
170 
155 
110 
65 
38 
57 
89 

1,425 
(207) 

1,218 

(1,207) 
(453) 
(481) 
(31) 
(268) 
(137) 
(7) 

(2,584) 

(1,366) 

$ 

306 
276
238
160 
149
126
64
25
93
142

1,579
(271)

1,308

(1,335)
                    (640) 
                    (482)
(296)
(249)
(113)
                    (179)

(3,294)

(1,986)

$ 

  Valuation allowances are provided when it is considered more likely than not that deferred tax assets will not be 

realized. The valuation allowances primarily relate to future tax benefits on certain federal, state and non-U.S. net 
operating loss carryforwards. Federal net operating loss carryforwards of $111 million expire beginning in 2021 through 
2033, state net operating loss carryforwards expire beginning in 2014 through 2033. Substantially all of the non-U.S. tax loss 
carryforwards have indefinite carryforward periods. 

As of December 31, 2013, the Company had $359 million of undistributed earnings from non-U.S. subsidiaries that are 
intended to be reinvested in non-U.S. operations. Because these earnings are considered permanently reinvested, no U.S. 
tax provision has been accrued related to the repatriation of these earnings. It is not practicable to estimate the amount of 
U.S. tax that might be payable on the eventual remittance of such earnings.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31 is as follows:  

(in millions) 

Gross unrecognized tax benefits, beginning of period 
Gross increases:

Current year tax positions 
Prior year tax positions 

Gross decreases:

Prior year tax positions                                                                                                                        —  
Settlements                                                                                                                                          —   
(5) 
Statute of limitations lapses 

Gross unrecognized tax benefits, end of period 

$ 

89 

$ 

81 

$ 

129

2013 

2012 

2011

$ 

81 

$ 

129 

$ 

220

8 
5 

6 
18 

(48) 
(10) 
(14) 

11
10

        (34)
        (25)
(53)

  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
considered an “extraordinary dividend” and must receive 
prior regulatory approval. 

In 2013, based on the 2012 statutory net income and 
statutory capital and surplus levels, the maximum amount 
of ordinary dividends that could have been paid by the 
Company’s U.S. regulated subsidiaries to their parent 
companies was $4.3 billion. For the year ended December 
31, 2013, the Company’s regulated subsidiaries paid their 
parent companies dividends of $3.2 billion, including $430 
million of extraordinary dividends. For the year ended 
December 31, 2012, the Company’s regulated subsidiaries 
paid their parent companies dividends of $4.9 billion, 
including $1.2 billion of extraordinary dividends. As of 
December 31, 2013, $1.0 billion of the Company’s $7.3 
billion of cash and cash equivalents was available for 
general corporate use.

The Company’s regulated subsidiaries had estimated 
aggregate statutory capital and surplus of approximately 
$14.8 billion as of December 31, 2013. The estimated 
statutory capital and surplus necessary to satisfy regulatory 
requirements of the Company’s regulated subsidiaries was 
approximately $5.5 billion as of December 31, 2013.

Optum Bank must meet minimum requirements for Tier 
1 leverage capital, Tier 1 risk-based capital, and Total risk-
based capital of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 
(FDIC) to be considered “Well Capitalized” under the 
capital adequacy rules to which it is subject. At December 
31, 2013, the Company believes that Optum Bank met the 
FDIC requirements to be considered “Well Capitalized.”

Share Repurchase Program
Under its Board of Directors’ authorization, the Company 
maintains a share repurchase program. Repurchases may be 
made from time to time in open market purchases or other 
types of transactions (including structured share repurchase 
programs), subject to certain Board restrictions. In June 
2013, the Board renewed and expanded the Company’s 
share repurchase program with an authorization to 
repurchase up to 110 million shares of its common stock. 
During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company 
repurchased 48 million shares at an average price of $65.52 
per share and an aggregate cost of $3.2 billion. As of 
December 31, 2013, the Company had Board authorization 
to purchase up to an additional 83 million shares of its 
common stock. 

74

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

   The Company classifies interest and penalties associated 
with uncertain income tax positions as income taxes within 
its Consolidated Financial Statements. During 2013, the 
Company recognized $4 million of interest expense. The 
Company recognized tax benefits from the net reduction 
of interest and penalties accrued of $20 million and $12 
million during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 
2011, respectively. The Company had $27 million and $23 
million of accrued interest and penalties for uncertain tax 
positions as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. 
These amounts are not included in the reconciliation 
above. As of December 31, 2013, the total amount of 
unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect 
the effective tax rate, was $89 million.   
   The Company currently files income tax returns in the 
United States, various states and non-U.S. jurisdictions. The 
U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has completed exams on 
the consolidated income tax returns for fiscal years 2012 
and prior. The Company’s 2013 tax year is under advance 
review by the IRS under its Compliance Assurance Program. 
With the exception of a few states, the Company is no 
longer subject to income tax examinations prior to 2008. 
The Brazilian federal revenue service - Secretaria da Receita 
Federal (SRF) may audit the Company’s Brazilian subsidiaries 
for a period of five years from the date on which corporate 
income taxes should have been paid and/or the date when 
the tax return was filed. Estimated taxes are paid monthly 
in Brazil with an annual return due on June 30 following 
the end of the taxable year. 
   The Company believes it is reasonably possible that its 
liability for unrecognized tax benefits will decrease in the 
next twelve months by $33 million as a result of audit 
settlements and the expiration of statutes of limitations in 
certain major jurisdictions. 

10.  SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Regulatory Capital and Dividend Restrictions  
The Company’s regulated subsidiaries are subject to 
regulations and standards in their respective jurisdictions. 
These standards, among other things, require these 
subsidiaries to maintain specified levels of statutory capital, 
as defined by each jurisdiction, and restrict the timing and 
amount of dividends and other distributions that may be 
paid to their parent companies. In the United States, most 
of these regulations and standards are generally consistent 
with model regulations established by the National 
Association of Insurance Commissioners. 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, it is generally 

Dividends
In June 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors increased 
the Company’s cash dividend to shareholders to an annual 
dividend rate of $1.12 per share, paid quarterly. Since June 
2012, the Company had paid an annual cash dividend of 
$0.85 per share, paid quarterly. Declaration and payment 
of future quarterly dividends is at the discretion of the 
Board and may be adjusted as business needs or market 
conditions change.

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

Payment Date 

Amount
per Share 

Total Amount Paid

(in millions)

2013 
2012 
2011 

$ 

1.0525 
0.8000 
0.6125 

$ 

1,056
820
651 

2013 FORM 10-K

75

11.  SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
The Company’s outstanding share-based awards consist mainly of non-qualified stock options, SARs and restricted stock and 
restricted stock units (collectively, restricted shares). As of December 31, 2013, the Company had 35 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, SARs and 14 million of awards in restricted shares. As of December 31, 2013, there were also 17 
million shares of common stock available for issuance under the ESPP. 

Stock Options and SARs
Stock option and SAR activity for the year ended December 31, 2013 is summarized in the table below:

Outstanding at beginning of period 
Granted 
Exercised 
Forfeited 

Outstanding at end of period 

Exercisable at end of period 
Vested and expected to vest, end of period 

Weighted- 
Average 
Exercise 
Price 

Weighted- 
Average 
Remaining 
Contractual Life 

Aggregate
Intrinsic Value

(in years) 

(in millions)

$ 

45 
58 
44 
55 

48 

46 
48 

4.5 

3.1 
4.5 

$  1,121

879
1,110

Shares 

(in millions) 
63 
8 
(28) 
(2) 

41 

30 
40 

Restricted Shares 
Restricted share activity for the year ended December 31, 2013 is summarized in the table below:

(shares in millions) 

Nonvested at beginning of period 
Granted 
Vested 
Forfeited 

Nonvested at end of period 

Shares  

9 
4 
(1) 
(1) 

11 

Weighted-Average
Grant Date
Fair Value per Share

$ 

46
58
38
51

50

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
76

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

Other Share-Based Compensation Data

(in millions, except per share amounts) 

Stock Options and SARs
Weighted-average grant date fair value 

of shares granted, per share 

Total intrinsic value of stock options and SARs exercised 
Restricted Shares
Weighted-average grant date fair value 

of shares granted, per share 

Total fair value of restricted shares vested 
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Number of shares purchased 
Share-Based Compensation Items
Share-based compensation expense, before tax 
Share-based compensation expense, net of tax effects 
Income tax benefit realized from share-based award exercises 

(in millions, except years) 

Unrecognized compensation expense related to share awards 
Weighted-average years to recognize compensation expense 

For the Years Ended December 31,

2013 

2012 

2011

$ 

19 
592 

$ 

18 
559 

$ 

15
327

$ 

$ 

58 
31 

3 

331 
239 
206 

$ 

$ 

52 
716 

3 

421 
299 
461 

$ 

$ 

42
113

3

401
260
170

December 31, 2013

$ 

310
1.3 

Share-Based Compensation Recognition and Estimates
The principal assumptions the Company used in calculating grant-date fair value for stock options and SARs were as follows: 

Risk-free interest rate 
Expected volatility 
Expected dividend yield 
Forfeiture rate 
Expected life in years 

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. Expected dividend yields are 
based on the per share cash dividend paid by the Company. 
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.

Other Employee Benefit Plans  
The Company also offers a 401(k) plan for its employees. 
Compensation expense related to this plan was not 
material for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 
2011.  
   In addition, the Company maintains non-qualified, 
unfunded deferred compensation plans, which allow 
certain members of senior management and executives to 
defer portions of their salary or bonus and receive certain 
Company contributions on such deferrals, subject to plan 
limitations. The deferrals are recorded within Long-Term 
Investments with an approximately equal amount in Other 
Liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The total 

2013 

2012 

2011

1.0% - 1.6% 
41.0% - 43.0% 
1.4% - 1.6% 
5.0% 
5.3 

0.7% - 0.9% 
43.2% - 44.0% 
1.2% - 1.7% 
5.0% 
5.3 - 5.6 

0.9% - 2.3%
44.3% - 45.1%
1.0% - 1.4%
5.0%
4.9 - 5.0

deferrals are distributable based upon termination of 
employment or other periods, as elected under each plan 
and were $441 million and $348 million as of December 31, 
2013 and 2012, respectively. 

12.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES 
The Company leases facilities and equipment under long-
term operating leases that are non-cancelable and expire 
on various dates through 2028. Rent expense under all 
operating leases for 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $438 million, 
$334 million and $295 million, respectively.  
   As of December 31, 2013, future minimum annual lease 
payments, net of sublease income, under all non-cancelable 
operating leases were as follows: 

(in millions) 

2014 
2015 
2016 
2017 
2018 
Thereafter 

Future Minimum 
Lease Payments

$  487
452
348
299
273
544 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
   The Company provides guarantees related to its service 
level under certain contracts. If minimum standards are not 
met, the Company may be financially at risk up to a stated 
percentage of the contracted fee or a stated dollar amount. 
None of the amounts accrued, paid or charged to income 
for service level guarantees were material as of or for the 
years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011. 
   As of December 31, 2013, the Company had outstanding, 
undrawn letters of credit with financial institutions of 
$39 million and surety bonds outstanding with insurance 
companies of $499 million, primarily to bond contractual 
performance.

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, care providers, consumer advocacy 
organizations, customers and regulators, relating to 
the Company’s businesses, including management and 
administration of health benefit plans and other services. 
These matters include medical malpractice, employment, 
intellectual property, antitrust, privacy and contract claims, 
and claims related to health care benefits coverage and 
other business practices.

The Company records liabilities for its estimates of 

probable costs resulting from these matters where 
appropriate. Estimates of costs resulting from legal and 
regulatory matters involving the Company are inherently 
difficult to predict, particularly where the matters: involve 
indeterminate claims for monetary damages or may involve 
fines, penalties or punitive damages; present novel legal 
theories or represent a shift in regulatory policy; involve 
a large number of claimants or regulatory bodies; are in 
the early stages of the proceedings; or could result in a 
change in business practices. Accordingly, the Company is 
often unable to estimate the losses or ranges of losses for 
those matters where there is a reasonable possibility or it is 
probable that a loss may be incurred.

Litigation Matters 
California Claims Processing Matter. On January 25, 
2008, the California Department of Insurance (CDI) issued 
an Order to Show Cause to PacifiCare Life and Health 
Insurance Company, a subsidiary of the Company, alleging 
violations of certain insurance statutes and regulations 
related to an alleged failure to include certain language in 
standard claims correspondence, timeliness and accuracy of 
claims processing, interest payments, care provider contract 
implementation, care provider dispute resolution and other 
related matters. Although the Company believes that CDI 
has never issued a penalty in excess of $8 million, CDI has 
advocated a penalty of approximately $325 million in this 
matter. The matter was the subject of an administrative 
hearing before a California administrative law judge 
beginning in December 2009, and in August 2013, the 
administrative law judge issued a non-binding proposed 
decision recommending a penalty in an amount that is 
not material to the Company’s results of operations, cash 

2013 FORM 10-K

77

flows or financial condition. The matter is now before the 
California Insurance Commissioner, who has indicated that 
he will not adopt the administrative law judge’s proposed 
decision and will issue his own decision. 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 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.

Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada Litigation.
In April 2013, a Las Vegas jury awarded $24 million in 
compensatory damages and $500 million in punitive 
damages against a Company health plan and its parent 
corporation on the theory that they were negligent in their 
credentialing and monitoring of an in-network endoscopy 
center owned and operated by independent physicians who 
were subsequently linked by regulators to an outbreak of 
hepatitis C. In September 2013, the trial court reduced the 
overall award to $366 million following post-trial motions, 
and in December 2013, the Company filed a notice of 
appeal. Company plans are party to 41 additional individual 
lawsuits and two class actions relating to the outbreak. The 
Company cannot reasonably estimate the range of loss, if 
any, that may result from these matters given the likelihood 
of reversal on appeal, the availability of statutory and other 
limits on damages, the novel legal theories being advanced 
by the plaintiffs, the various postures of the remaining 
cases, the availability in many cases of federal defenses 
under Medicare law and the Employee Retirement Income 
Security Act, and the pendency of certain relevant legal 
questions before the Nevada Supreme Court. The Company 
is vigorously defending these lawsuits.

Government Investigations, Audits and Reviews 
The Company has been, or 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, the Brazilian national regulatory 
agency for private health insurance and plans, the Agência 
Nacional de Saúde Suplementar, state attorneys general, 
the Office of the Inspector General, the Office of Personnel 
Management, the Office of Civil Rights, the Government 
Accountability Office, the Federal Trade Commission, U.S. 
Congressional committees, the U.S. Department of Justice, 
U.S. Attorneys, the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(SEC), the IRS, the SRF, the U.S. Department of Labor, 
the FDIC and other governmental authorities. Certain 
of the Company’s businesses have been reviewed or are 
currently under review, including for, among other things, 
compliance with coding and other requirements under the 
Medicare risk-adjustment model.

In February 2012, CMS announced a final Risk Adjustment 

Data Validation (RADV) audit and payment adjustment 

78

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

methodology and that it will conduct RADV audits 
beginning with the 2011 payment year. These audits involve 
a review of medical records maintained by care providers 
and may result in retrospective adjustments to payments 
made to health plans. CMS has not communicated how the 
final payment adjustment under its methodology will be 
implemented.

The Company cannot reasonably estimate the range of 
loss, if any, that may result from any material government 
investigations, audits and reviews in which it is currently 
involved given the inherent difficulty in predicting 
regulatory action, fines and penalties, if any, and the 
various remedies and levels of judicial review available to 
the Company in the event of an adverse finding. 

13.  SEGMENT FINANCIAL INFORMATION 
Factors used to determine the Company’s reportable 
segments include the nature of operating activities, 
economic characteristics, existence of separate senior 
management teams and the type of information presented 
to the Company’s chief operating decision maker to 
evaluate its results of operations. Reportable segments with 
similar economic characteristics are combined. 

The following is a description of the types of products 

and services from which each of the Company’s four 
reportable segments derives its revenues:

•    UnitedHealthcare includes the combined results 
of operations of UnitedHealthcare Employer & 
Individual, UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement, 
UnitedHealthcare Community & State and 
UnitedHealthcare International because they have 
similar economic characteristics, products and services, 
customers, distribution methods and operational 
processes and operate in a similar regulatory 
environment. The U.S. 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 an array of consumer-oriented health 
benefit plans and services for large national employers, 
public sector employers, mid-sized employers, small 
businesses and individuals nationwide and active and 
retired military and their families through the TRICARE 
program (West Region). UnitedHealthcare Medicare & 
Retirement provides health care coverage and 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’s primary customers oversee Medicaid plans, 
the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and other 
federal, state and community health care programs. 
UnitedHealthcare International is a diversified global 
health services business with a variety of offerings, 
including international commercial health and dental 
benefits.

•    OptumHealth serves the physical, emotional and 

financial needs of individuals, enabling consumer 
health management and integrated care delivery 
through programs offered by employers, payers, 
government entities and directly with the care delivery 
system. OptumHealth offers access to networks 
of care provider specialists, health management 
services, integrated care delivery services, consumer 
engagement and relationship management and sales 
distribution platform services and financial services.
•    OptumInsight is a health care information, technology, 

operational services and consulting company 
providing software and information products, advisory 
consulting services, and business process outsourcing 
services and support to participants in the health care 
industry. Hospitals, physicians, commercial health 
plans, government agencies, life sciences companies 
and other organizations that comprise the health 
care system use OptumInsight to reduce costs, meet 
compliance mandates, improve clinical performance 
and adapt to the changing health system landscape. 

•    OptumRx offers pharmacy benefit management 
services and programs including retail pharmacy 
network management services, mail order and 
specialty pharmacy services, manufacturer rebate 
contracting and administration, benefit plan design 
and consultation, claims processing, and a variety of 
clinical programs such as formulary management and 
compliance, drug utilization review and disease and 
drug therapy management services. 

The Company’s accounting policies for reportable 
segment operations are consistent with those described 
in the Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (see 
Note 2). Transactions between reportable segments 
principally consist of sales of pharmacy benefit products 
and services to UnitedHealthcare customers by OptumRx, 
certain product offerings and care management and 
integrated care delivery 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 in consolidation. 
Assets and liabilities that are jointly used are assigned 
to each reportable segment using estimates of pro-rata 
usage. Cash and investments are assigned such that each 
reportable segment has working capital and/or at least 
minimum specified levels of regulatory capital. 

As a percentage of the Company’s total consolidated 
revenues, premium revenues from CMS were 29%, 29%, 
and 28% for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 
and 2011, respectively, most of which were generated by 
UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement and included 
in the UnitedHealthcare segment. U.S. customer revenue 
represented approximately 95% and 99% of consolidated 
total revenues during the years ended December 31, 2013 
and 2012, respectively. Substantially all revenue was U.S. 
generated revenue for the year ended December 31, 
2011. Long-lived fixed assets located in the United States 

2013 FORM 10-K

79

represented approximately 72% and 70% of the total 
long-lived fixed assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, 
respectively. The non-US revenues and fixed assets are 
primarily related to UnitedHealthcare International. 

2014 BUSINESS REALIGNMENT 
On January 1, 2014, 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. The Company’s Optum business platform 
took responsibility for certain technology operations 
and business processing activities with the intention of 
pursuing additional third-party commercial opportunities 
in addition to continuing to serve UnitedHealthcare. These 
activities, which were historically a corporate function, will 
be included in OptumInsight’s results of operations. The 
Company’s periodic filings with the SEC beginning with the 
first quarter 2014 Form 10-Q will include historical segment 
results restated to reflect the effect of this realignment and 
will continue to present the same four reportable segments 
(UnitedHealthcare, OptumHealth, OptumInsight and 
OptumRx). 

   
80

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

Corporate and intersegment elimination amounts are presented to reconcile the reportable segment results to the 

consolidated results. The following table presents the reportable segment financial information:

(in millions) 

2013
Revenues - external customers: 

Premiums 
Services 
Products 

Total revenues - external customers 

Total revenues - intersegment 
Investment and other income 

UnitedHealthcare  OptumHealth  OptumInsight 

OptumRx 

Total Optum 

Optum

Corporate and
Intersegment
Eliminations  Consolidated

$ 107,024
6,180 
8 
  113,212 

— 
617 

$  2,533 
819 
19 
3,371 

6,357 
127 

$ 

— 
1,902 
92 
1,994 

1,179 
1 

$ 

— 
96 
3,071 
3,167 

  20,839 
— 

$  2,533 
2,817 
3,182 
8,532 

  28,375 
128 

$ 

$ 109,557 
— 
8,997 
— 
— 
3,190
—         121,744

  (28,375)                  —
—                745 

Total revenues 

$ 113,829 

$  9,855 

$  3,174 

$  24,006 

$  37,035 

$ (28,375)  $ 122,489 

Earnings from operations 
Interest expense 

$  7,309 
— 

$ 

Earnings before income taxes 

$  7,309 

$ 

976 
— 

976 

$ 

$ 

603 
— 

603 

$ 

$ 

735 
— 

735 

$  2,314 
— 

$  2,314 

$  62,545 

$  9,329 

$  5,971 

$  4,525 

$  19,825 

$         —    $  9,623
         (708)

(708) 

$ 

$ 

(708)  $  8,915 

(488)  $  81,882 

Total assets 
Purchases of property, equipment 

and capitalized software 
Depreciation and amortization 

2012
Revenues - external customers:

Premiums 
Services 
Products 

Total revenues - external customers 
Total revenues - intersegment 
Investment and other income 

Total revenues 
Earnings from operations 
Interest expense 

824 
869 

234 
178 

171 
221 

78 
107 

483 
506 

— 
— 

1,307 
1,375

$  97,985 
4,867 
— 

  102,852 
            — 
567 

$ 103,419 
$  7,815 
— 

$ 

$  1,743 
767 
21 

2,531 
5,503 
113 

— 
1,720 
87 

1,807 
1,075 
— 

$  8,147 
561 
$ 
— 

$  2,882 
485 
$ 
— 

$ 

— 
83 
2,665 

2,748 
  15,611 
— 

$  18,359 
393 
$ 
— 

$  1,743 
2,570 
2,773 

7,086 
  22,189 
113 

$  29,388 
$  1,439 
— 

$ 

— 
— 
—        

$  99,728
7,437
2,773

— 

—                   

  109,938 
    (22,189)                — 
680
$ (22,189)  $ 110,618 
—  $  9,254 
$ 
         (632)

(632) 

Earnings before income taxes 

$  7,815 

$ 

561 

$ 

485 

$ 

393 

$  1,439 

$ 

(632)  $  8,622

Total assets 

$  63,591 

$  8,274 

$  5,463 

$  3,466 

$  17,203 

$         91       $  80,885 

Purchases of property, equipment  
   and capitalized software 
Depreciation and amortization 

2011
Revenues - external customers:

585 
794 

184 
193 

165 
210 

136 
112 

485 
515 

— 
— 

1,070 
1,309 

Premiums 
Services 
Products 

$  90,487 
4,291 
— 

$  1,496 
628 
24 

$ 

Total revenues - external customers 

  94,778 

Total revenues - intersegment 
Investment and other income 

— 
558 

2,148 

4,461 
95 

— 
1,616 
96 

1,712 

$ 

— 
78 
2,492 

2,570 

$  1,496 
2,322 
2,612 

6,430 

$ 

— 
$  91,983  
—             6,613 
2,612
— 

— 

  101,208

958 
1 

  16,708 
— 

  22,127 
96 

  (22,127) 
— 

—
654 

Total revenues 

$  95,336 

$  6,704 

$  2,671 

$  19,278 

$  28,653 

$  (22,127)  $ 101,862

Earnings from operations 
Interest expense 

$  7,203 
— 

$ 

Earnings before income taxes 

$  7,203 

$ 

423 
— 

423 

$ 

$ 

381 
— 

381 

$ 

$ 

457 
— 

457 

$  1,261 
— 

$ 
— 
         (505) 

$  8,464
         (505)

$  1,261 

$      (505)  $  7,959

Total assets 
Purchases of property, equipment  
   and capitalized software 
Depreciation and amortization 

$  52,618 

$  6,756 

$  5,308 

$  3,503 

$  15,567 

$      (296)   $  67,889 

635 
680 

168 
154 

175 
195 

89 
95 

432 
444 

— 
— 

1,067 
1,124 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2013 FORM 10-K

81

14.  QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
Selected quarterly financial information for all quarters of 2013 and 2012 is as follows:  

(in millions, except per share data) 

March 31 

June 30 

September 30 

December 31

For the Quarter Ended

2013
Revenues 
Operating costs 
Earnings from operations 
Net earnings 
Net earnings attributable to  
   UnitedHealth Group common shareholders 
Net earnings per share attributable to  
   UnitedHealth Group common shareholders: 
Basic 
Diluted 
2012 
Revenues 
Operating costs 
Earnings from operations 
Net earnings 
Net earnings per share attributable to 
   UnitedHealth Group common shareholders: 
Basic 
Diluted 

$ 

30,340 
28,201 
2,139 
1,240 

$ 

30,408 
28,007 
2,401 
1,436 

$ 

30,624 
27,993 
2,631 
1,570 

$      31,117
28,665
2,452
1,427

1,192 

1,436 

1,570 

1,427

$ 

1.17 
1.16 

27,282 
24,965 
2,317 
1,388 

1.34 
1.31 

$ 

1.42 
1.40 

27,265 
25,039 
2,226 
1,337 

1.30 
1.27 

$ 

1.56 
1.53 

27,302 
24,692 
2,610 
1,557 

1.52 
1.50 

$ 

1.43
1.41

28,769 
26,668
2,101
1,244

1.22
1.20

ITEM 9. 

None. 

 Changes In And Disagreements 
With Accountants On Accounting 
And Financial Disclosure 

ITEM 9A. 

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 Annual Report on 
Form 10-K, 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 December 31, 2013. 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 December 
31, 2013.

CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL  
OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
There have been no changes in our internal control over 
financial reporting during the quarter ended December 
31, 2013 that have materially affected, or are reasonably 
likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial 
reporting.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
82

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

REPORT OF MANAGEMENT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER 
FINANCIAL REPORTING AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2013 
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated and Subsidiaries’ (the 
“Company”) management is responsible for establishing 
and maintaining adequate internal control over financial 
reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) 
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company’s 
internal control system is designed to provide reasonable 
assurance to our management and board of directors 
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the 
preparation of consolidated financial statements for 
external purposes in accordance with generally accepted 
accounting principles. The Company’s internal control 
over financial reporting includes those policies and 
procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records 
that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the 
transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; 
(ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are 
recorded as necessary to permit preparation of consolidated 
financial statements in accordance with generally accepted 
accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures 
of the Company are being made only in accordance with 
authorizations of management and directors of the 
Company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding 
prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, 
use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a 
material effect on the consolidated financial statements. 
   Because of its inherent limitations, internal control 
over financial reporting may not prevent or detect 
misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of 
effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that 
controls may become inadequate because of changes in 
conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the 
policies or procedures may deteriorate. 
   Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s 
internal control over financial reporting as of December 
31, 2013. In making this assessment, we used the criteria 
set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations 
of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-
Integrated Framework (1992). Based on our assessment 
and the COSO criteria, we believe that, as of December 31, 
2013, the Company maintained effective internal control 
over financial reporting. 
   The Company’s independent registered public accounting 
firm has audited the Company’s internal control over 
financial reporting as of December 31, 2013, as stated in 
the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting 
Firm, appearing under Item 9A, which expresses an 
unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s 
internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 
2013. 

2013 FORM 10-K

83

material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be 
prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of 
any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control 
over financial reporting to future periods are subject to 
the risk that the controls may become inadequate because 
of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance 
with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. 

In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material  
respects, effective internal control over financial reporting 
as of December 31, 2013, based on the criteria established 
in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (1992) issued 
by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the 
Treadway Commission.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards 
of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United 
States), the consolidated financial statements as of and for 
the year ended December 31, 2013 of the Company and our 
report dated  February 12, 2014 expressed an unqualified 
opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Minneapolis, Minnesota
February 12, 2014

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED  
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM  
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of UnitedHealth 
Group Incorporated and Subsidiaries: 

We have audited the internal control over financial 

reporting of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated and 
Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2013, 
based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated 
Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring 
Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company’s 
management is responsible for maintaining effective 
internal control over financial reporting and for its 
assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over 
financial reporting, included in the accompanying Report of 
Management on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 
as of December 31, 2013. Our responsibility is to express an 
opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial 
reporting based on our audit. 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards 

of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board 
(United States). Those standards require that we plan 
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance 
about whether effective internal control over financial 
reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit 
included obtaining an understanding of internal control 
over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material 
weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and 
operating effectiveness of internal control based on the 
assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we 
considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that 
our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting 
is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the 
company’s principal executive and principal financial 
officers, or persons performing similar functions, and 
effected by the company’s board of directors, management, 
and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance 
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the 
preparation of financial statements for external purposes 
in accordance with generally accepted accounting 
principles. A company’s internal control over financial 
reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) 
pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable 
detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and 
dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide 
reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as 
necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in 
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, 
and that receipts and expenditures of the company are 
being made only in accordance with authorizations of 
management and directors of the company; and (3) provide 
reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely 
detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition 
of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on 
the financial statements.

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control 

over financial reporting, including the possibility of 
collusion or improper management override of controls, 

 
84

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

ITEM 9B.

Other Information 

None. 

PART III 

ITEM 10. 

 Directors, Executive Officers And 
Corporate Governance  

Pursuant to General Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K and 
Instruction 3 to Item 401(b) of Regulation S-K, information 
regarding our executive officers is provided in Item 1 of 
Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under the caption 
“Executive Officers of the Registrant.” 

We have adopted a code of ethics applicable to our 

principal executive officer and other senior financial 
officers, who include our principal financial officer, principal 
accounting officer, controller, and persons performing 
similar functions. The code of ethics, entitled The Code of 
Conduct: Our Principles of Ethics and Integrity, is posted on 
our website at www.unitedhealthgroup.com. 

The remaining information required by Items 401, 405, 
406 and 407(c)(3), (d)(4) and (d)(5) of Regulation S-K will 
be included under the headings “Corporate Governance,” 
“Election of Directors” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial 
Ownership Reporting Compliance” in our definitive proxy 
statement for our 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, 
and such required information is incorporated herein by 
reference. 

ITEM 11. 

Executive Compensation 

The information required by Items 402, 407(e)(4) 
and (e)(5) of Regulation S-K will be included under 
the headings “Executive Compensation,” “Director 
Compensation,” “Corporate Governance - Risk Oversight” 
and “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider 
Participation” in our definitive proxy statement for our 
2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and such required 
information is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 12. 

 Security Ownership Of Certain Beneficial Owners And Management And  
Related Stockholder Matters 

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION 
The following table sets forth certain information, as of December 31, 2013, concerning shares of common stock authorized 
for issuance under all of our equity compensation plans:

Plan Category 

(a) 

(b) 

Number of securities  Weighted-average 

to be issued upon 
exercise of 
outstanding 
options, warrants 
and rights 

(in millions)  

excercise 
price of 
outstanding 
options, warrants 
and rights 

(c)
Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding
securities reflected
in column (a))

(in millions)

Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders (1) 
Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders (2) 

Total (2) 

41 
— 

41 

$ 

$ 

48 
— 

48 

52 (3)
—

52

(1)   Consists of the UnitedHealth Group Incorporated 2011 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended, and the UnitedHealth Group 

1993 ESPP, as amended.  

(2)   Excludes 48,000 shares underlying stock options assumed by us in connection with our acquisition of the companies 

under whose plans the options originally were granted. These options have a weighted-average exercise price of $38 
and an average remaining term of approximately 1.1 years. The options are administered pursuant to the terms of the 
plan under which the options originally were granted. No future awards will be granted under these acquired plans. 
(3)   Includes 17 million shares of common stock available for future issuance under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan as of 

December 31, 2013, and 35 million shares available under the 2011 Stock Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2013. Shares 
available under the 2011 Stock Incentive Plan may become the subject of future awards in the form of stock options, 
SARs, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance awards and other stock-based awards, except that only 
14 million of these shares are available for future grants of awards other than stock options or SARs.

The information required by Item 403 of Regulation S-K will be included under the heading “Security Ownership of Certain 
Beneficial Owners and Management” in our definitive proxy statement for our 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and 
such required information is incorporated herein by reference. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EXHIBIT INDEX**

2013 FORM 10-K

85

ITEM 13.

Certain Relationships And Related 
Transactions, And Director 
Independence 

The information required by Items 404 and 407(a) of 
Regulation S-K will be included under the headings 
“Certain Relationships and Transactions” and “Corporate 
Governance” in our definitive proxy statement for our 
2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and such required 
information is incorporated herein by reference. 

ITEM 14. 

 Principal Accountant Fees  
And Services 

The information required by Item 9(e) of Schedule 14A will 
be included under the heading “Independent Registered 
Public Accounting Firm” in our definitive proxy statement 
for our 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and such 
required information is incorporated herein by reference.

PART IV 

ITEM 15. 

 Exhibits And Financial  
Statement Schedules 

1. Financial Statements 

(a) 
The financial statements are included under Item 8 of  
this report:

•  Repor ts of Independent Registered Accounting Firm.
•    Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2013 

and 2012.

•    Consolidated Statement of Operations for the years 

ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011.

•    Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for 
the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011.
•    Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ 
Equity for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, 
and 2011.

•    Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the years 

ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011.

•    Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. 

3.1

3.2 

4.1 

4.2 

4.3 

4.4 

*10.1 

2. Financial Statement Schedules 

The following financial statement schedule of the Company 
is included in Item 15(c): 

*10.2 

•    Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of 

Registrant (Parent Company Only). 

 All other schedules for which provision is made in 
the applicable accounting regulations of the SEC 
are not required under the related instructions, are 
inapplicable, or the required information is included in 
the consolidated financial statements, and therefore 
have been omitted.

*10.3 

*10.4 

(b)  

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

Third Restated Articles of Incorporation of 
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (incorporated 
by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to UnitedHealth Group 
Incorporated’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on 
May 30, 2007)
 Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws of 
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (incorporated 
by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to UnitedHealth Group 
Incorporated’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on 
October 26, 2009)
 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 UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s 
Registration Statement on Form S-3/A, SEC File 
Number 333-66013, filed on January 11, 1999)
 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 UnitedHealth Group 
Incorporated’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for 
the quarter ended September 30, 2001)
 Instrument of Resignation, Appointment and 
Acceptance of Trustee, dated January 8, 2007, 
pursuant to the Senior Indenture, dated November 
15, 1988, 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)
 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 UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s 
Registration Statement on Form S-3, SEC File 
Number 333-149031, filed on February 4, 2008)
  UnitedHealth Group Incorporated 2011 
Stock Incentive Plan, effective May 23, 2011 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to 
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s Definitive 
Proxy Statement dated April 13, 2011)
  Form of Agreement for Non-Qualified Stock 
Option Award to Executives under UnitedHealth 
Group Incorporated’s 2011 Stock Incentive Plan
 Form of Agreement for Non-Qualified Stock 
Option Award for International Participants under 
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s 2011 Stock 
Incentive Plan
 Form of Addendum for Non-Qualified Stock Option 
Award Agreement for International Participants 
under UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s 2011 
Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 10.37 to UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s 
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended 
December 31, 2012)

 
86

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

*10.5 

*10.6 

*10.7 

*10.8 

*10.9 

*10.10 

*10.11 

*10.12 

*10.13 

*10.14 

 Form of Agreement for Restricted Stock Unit 
Award to Executives under UnitedHealth 
Group Incorporated’s 2011 Stock Incentive Plan 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to 
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s Current Report 
on Form 8-K filed on May 27, 2011)
 Form of Agreement for Restricted Stock Award 
to Executives under UnitedHealth Group 
Incorporated’s 2011 Stock Incentive Plan 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to 
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s Current Report 
on Form 8-K filed on May 27, 2011)
 Form of Agreement for Stock Appreciation 
Rights Award to Executives under UnitedHealth 
Group Incorporated’s 2011 Stock Incentive Plan 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to 
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s Current Report 
on Form 8-K filed on May 27, 2011)
 Form of Agreement for Performance-based 
Restricted Stock Unit Award to Executives under 
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s 2011 Stock 
Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 10.3 to UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s 
Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 27, 2011)
 Form of Agreement for Initial Deferred Stock 
Unit Award to Non-Employee Directors under 
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s 2011 Stock 
Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 10.7 to UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s 
Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 27, 2011)
 Form of Agreement for Deferred Stock Unit Award 
to Non-Employee Directors under UnitedHealth 
Group Incorporated’s 2011 Stock Incentive Plan 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to 
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s Current Report 
on Form 8-K filed on May 27, 2011)
 Amended and Restated UnitedHealth Group 
Incorporated Executive Incentive Plan (2009 
Statement), effective as of December 31, 2008 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to 
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s Annual Report 
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 
2008)
 Amended and Restated UnitedHealth Group 
Incorporated 2008 Executive Incentive Plan, 
effective as of December 31, 2008 (incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10.13 to UnitedHealth Group 
Incorporated’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 
year ended December 31, 2008)
 Amendment, dated as of December 21, 2012, 
of Amended and Restated UnitedHealth Group 
Incorporated 2008 Executive Incentive Plan 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to 
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s Annual Report 
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 
2012)
 UnitedHealth Group Executive Savings Plan (2004 
Statement) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 

*10.15 

*10.16 

*10.17 

*10.18 

*10.19 

*10.20 

*10.21 

*10.22 

*10.23 

*10.24 

10(e) of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 
31, 2003)
 First Amendment to UnitedHealth Group Executive 
Savings Plan (2004 Statement) (incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10.3 to UnitedHealth Group 
Incorporated’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on 
November 3, 2006)
 Second Amendment to UnitedHealth Group 
Executive Savings Plan (2004 Statement) 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to 
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s Annual Report 
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 
2007)
 Third Amendment to UnitedHealth Group 
Executive Savings Plan (2004 Statement) 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to 
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s Annual Report 
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 
2008)
 Fourth Amendment to UnitedHealth Group 
Executive Savings Plan (2004 Statement) 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of 
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s Quarterly 
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 
September 30, 2010)
 Summary of Non-Management Director 
Compensation, effective as of October 1, 2013 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to 
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s Quarterly 
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 
September 30, 2013)
 UnitedHealth Group Directors’ Compensation 
Deferral Plan (2009 Statement) (incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10.18 to UnitedHealth Group 
Incorporated’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 
year ended December 31, 2008)
 Amendment to the UnitedHealth Group Directors’ 
Compensation Deferral Plan, effective as of 
January 1, 2010 (incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 10.20 to UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s 
Annual Report on Form 10K for the year ended 
December 31, 2009)
 First Amendment to UnitedHealth Group Directors’ 
Compensation Deferral Plan (incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10.2 to UnitedHealth Group 
Incorporated’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for 
the quarter ended September 30, 2010)
 Employment Agreement, dated as of November 7, 
2006, between UnitedHealth Group Incorporated 
and Stephen J. Hemsley (incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10.1 to UnitedHealth Group 
Incorporated’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on 
November 8, 2006)
 Agreement for Supplemental Executive Retirement 
Pay, effective April 1, 2004, between UnitedHealth 
Group Incorporated and Stephen J. Hemsley 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b) to 

*10.34 

11.1 

12.1 
21.1 
23.1 

24.1 
31.1 

32.1 

101 

2013 FORM 10-K

87

Bueno (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 
to UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 
31, 2012)
 Employment Agreement, effective as of January 1, 
2013, between United HealthCare Services, Inc. and 
Marianne D. Short
 Statement regarding computation of per share 
earnings (incorporated by reference to the 
information contained under the heading “Net 
Earnings Per Common Share” in Note 2 of Notes to 
the Consolidated Financial Statements included in 
Item 8, “Financial Statements”)
 Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
 Subsidiaries of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated
 Consent of Independent Registered Public 
Accounting Firm
 Power of Attorney
 Certifications pursuant to Section 302 of the 
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the 
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 The following materials from UnitedHealth Group 
Incorporated’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 
year ended December 31, 2013, filed on February 
12, 2014, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business 
Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance 
Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations, 
(iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive 
Income, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Changes in 
Shareholders’ Equity, (v) Consolidated Statements 
of Cash Flows, and (vi) Notes to the 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.

Financial Statement Schedule 

(c) 
Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant 
(Parent Company Only).

*10.25 

*10.26 

*10.27 

*10.28 

*10.29 

*10.30 

*10.31 

*10.32 

*10.33 

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s Quarterly 
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 
31, 2004)
  Amendment to Agreement for Supplemental 
Executive Retirement Pay, dated as of November 7, 
2006, between UnitedHealth Group Incorporated 
and Stephen J. Hemsley (incorporated by reference 
to Exhibit A to Exhibit 10.1 to UnitedHealth Group 
Incorporated’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on 
November 8, 2006)
 Amendment to Employment Agreement and 
Agreement for Supplemental Executive Retirement 
Pay, effective as of December 31, 2008, between 
United HealthCare Services, Inc. and Stephen J. 
Hemsley (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 
10.22 to UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s 
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended 
December 31, 2008)
 Letter Agreement, effective as of February 19, 
2008, by and between UnitedHealth Group 
Incorporated and Stephen J. Hemsley (incorporated 
by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to UnitedHealth 
Group Incorporated’s Annual Report on Form 10-K 
for the year ended December 31, 2007)
 Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated 
as of December 14, 2010, between UnitedHealth 
Group Incorporated and Stephen J. Hemsley 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to 
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s Current Report 
on Form 8-K filed on December 15, 2010)
 Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, 
dated as of August 8, 2011, between United 
HealthCare Services, Inc. and Gail K. Boudreaux 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to 
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s Quarterly 
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 
September 30, 2011)
 Employment Agreement, effective as of December 1, 
2006, between United HealthCare Services, Inc. and 
David S. Wichmann (incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 10.2 to UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s 
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter 
ended March 31, 2008)
 Amendment to Employment Agreement, effective as 
of December 31, 2008, between United HealthCare 
Services, Inc. and David S. Wichmann (incorporated 
by reference to Exhibit 10.37 to UnitedHealth Group 
Incorporated’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 
year ended December 31, 2008)
 Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, 
dated as of March 26, 2012, between United 
HealthCare Services, Inc. and Larry C. Renfro 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to 
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s Quarterly Report 
on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012)
 Amended Employment Agreement, effective as 
of November 1, 2012, between Amil Assistência 
Médica Internacional S.A. and Dr. Edson de Godoy 

88

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

SCHEDULE I 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC 
ACCOUNTING FIRM 

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of UnitedHealth 
Group Incorporated and Subsidiaries: 

We have audited the consolidated financial statements 
of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated and subsidiaries (the 
“Company”) as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and for 
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 
2013, and the Company’s internal control over financial 
reporting as of December 31, 2013, and have issued our 
reports thereon dated February 12, 2014; such consolidated 
financial statements and reports are included elsewhere 
in this Form 10-K. Our audits also included the  financial 
statement schedule of the Company listed in Item 15. This 
financial statement schedule is the responsibility of the 
Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an 
opinion based on our audits. In our opinion, the financial 
statement schedule, when considered in relation to the 
basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, 
present fairly, in all material respects, the information set 
forth therein.

/s/    DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Minneapolis, Minnesota
February 12, 2014

SCHEDULE I

CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT 
(PARENT COMPANY ONLY) 
UNITEDHEALTH GROUP 
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS 

(in millions, except per share data) 

December 31, 2013 

December 31, 2012

2013 FORM 10-K

89

Assets
Current assets: 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Short-term notes receivable from subsidiaries 
Deferred income taxes and other current assets 

Total current assets 
Equity in net assets of subsidiaries 
Long-term notes receivable from subsidiaries 
Other assets 

$ 

$ 

822 
11 
214 
1,047 
44,301 

1,025 
2,889
225 
4,139 
43,724 
4,215                                       —
106 

144 

Total assets 

$ 

49,707 

$ 

47,969

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity 
Current liabilities: 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 
Note payable to subsidiary 
Commercial paper and current maturities of long-term debt 

$ 

Total current liabilities 
Long-term debt, less current maturities 
Deferred income taxes and other liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 4)
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; 

988 and 1,019 issued and outstanding 

Additional paid-in capital 
Retained earnings 
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income 

Total UnitedHealth Group shareholders’ equity 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity 

See Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements of Registrant 

335 
215 
1,935 

2,485 
14,804 
269 

17,558 

— 

10 
— 
33,047 
                  (908) 

32,149 

49,707 

$ 

$ 

$ 

356
175 
2,541 

3,072 
13,602 
117 

16,791

— 

10
66 
30,664 
438 

31,178 

47,969 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
90

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

SCHEDULE I

CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT 
(PARENT COMPANY ONLY) 
UNITEDHEALTH GROUP 
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 

(in millions) 

Revenues:

Investment and other income 

$ 

Total revenues 

Operating costs:

Operating costs 
Interest expense 

Total operating costs 

Loss before income taxes 
Benefit for income taxes 

Loss of parent company 
Equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries 

Net earnings 
Other comprehensive (loss) income 

Comprehensive income 

See Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements of Registrant 

For the Years Ended December 31,
2012 

2013 

2011

252 

252 

(9)  
618  

609 

(357) 
130 

(227) 
5,852 

5,625 
(1,346) 

$ 

28 

28 

                (2) 
566 

564 

(536) 
192 

(344) 
5,870 

$ 

3 

3

25
451

476

(473)
167

(306)
5,448 

5,526 

5,142 
              (23)                              209

$ 

4,279 

$ 

5,503 

$ 

5,351

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2013 FORM 10-K

91

SCHEDULE I

CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT 
(PARENT COMPANY ONLY) 
UNITEDHEALTH GROUP 
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 

(in millions) 

Operating activities
Cash flows from operating activities 

For the Years Ended December 31,
2012 

2013 

2011

$ 

5,099 

$ 

6,116 

$         5,560

Investing activities
Issuance of notes to subsidiaries 
(4,149)                                 —
Repayments of notes receivable from subsidiaries                                        275                                —                                   — 
          (2,081) 
Cash paid for acquisitions 
             (171) 
Capital contributions to subsidiaries  
          (2,252)
Cash flows used for investing activities 

(3,737) 
(99) 
(7,985) 

(274) 
(942) 
(2,458) 

(1,517) 

Financing activities
(3,170) 
Common stock repurchases 
598 
Proceeds from common stock issuance 
(1,056) 
Cash dividends paid 
(Repayments of) proceeds from commercial paper, net 
(474) 
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt                                                  2,235  
Repayments of long-term debt 
Interest rate swap termination                                                                         —                                 —  
Proceeds of note from subsidiary                                                                     40   
30 
            (383) 
(74) 
Other 
(2,844)                          1,388  
Cash flows used for financing activities 

(3,084) 
1,078 
(820) 
1,587 
3,966 

 (943)                            (986)  

          (2,994)
              381
             (651)
             (933)
           2,234
             (955) 
              132
                15
                53
          (2,718)

(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period 

Supplemental cash flow disclosures 
Cash paid for interest 
Cash paid for income taxes 

$ 

$ 

See Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements of Registrant

(203) 
1,025 

822 

            (481)                               590
              916

1,506 

$ 

1,025 

$         1,506

618 
2,765 

$ 

547 
2,666 

$            418
           2,739

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
92

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

SCHEDULE I 

CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT 
(PARENT COMPANY ONLY) 
UNITEDHEALTH GROUP 
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

1.  BASIS OF PRESENTATION 
UnitedHealth Group’s parent company financial 
information has been derived from its consolidated 
financial statements and should be read in conjunction 
with the consolidated financial statements included in 
this Form 10-K. The accounting policies for the registrant 
are the same as those described in Note 2 of Notes to the 
Consolidated Financial Statements.

2.  SUBSIDIARY TRANSACTIONS 
Investment in Subsidiaries. UnitedHealth Group’s 
investment in subsidiaries is stated at cost plus equity in 
undistributed earnings of subsidiaries. 

Transactions with Subsidiaries. During 2013, the parent 
company issued intercompany notes of $1.5 billion that 
were used primarily to fund the purchase of Amil’s 
remaining public shares. Additionally in 2013, the $2.6 
billion term note issued in 2012 was reclassified to long-
term. During 2012, the parent company completed a 
non-cash exchange of a $3.9 billion intercompany note to a 
subsidiary for a new term note of $2.6 billion and an equity 
interest of $1.3 billion.

Dividends. Cash dividends received from subsidiaries and 

included in Cash Flows from Operating Activities in the 
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows were $5.3 billion, $7.8 
billion and $5.6 billion in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  

3.  COMMERCIAL PAPER AND LONG-TERM DEBT 
Discussion of commercial paper and long-term debt can 
be found in Note 8 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial 
Statements. Long-term debt obligations of the parent 
company do not include the other financing obligations 
at a subsidiary that totaled $121 million at December 31, 
2013 or the Brazilian real denominated debt of a subsidiary 
with a total par value of $588 million at December 31, 2012 
disclosed therein.

Maturities of commercial paper and long-term debt for the 
years ending December 31 are as follows:

(in millions)

2014 
2015 
2016 
2017 
2018 
Thereafter 

$ 1,935
1,055
1,134
1,260
1,116
10,239

4.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
For a summary of commitments and contingencies, see 
Note 12 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
included in Item 8, “Financial Statements.”

SIGNATURES 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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. 

2013 FORM 10-K

93

Dated: February 12, 2014 

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP INCORPORATED

By 

/s/ STEPHEN J. HEMSLEY 

Stephen J. Hemsley
President and Chief Executive Officer 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following 
persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.  

Signature

Title

Director, President and Chief Executive Officer 
(principal executive officer)

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of 
UnitedHealth Group and President of UnitedHealth Group 
Operations (principal financial officer)

Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer  
(principal accounting officer)

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

/s/ STEPHEN J. HEMSLEY
Stephen J. Hemsley

/s/ DAVID S. WICHMANN
David S. Wichmann

/s/ ERIC S. RANGEN
Eric S. Rangen

William C. Ballard, Jr.*

Edson Bueno* 

Richard T. Burke* 

Robert J. Darretta*

Michele J. Hooper*

Rodger A. Lawson*

Douglas W. Leatherdale*

Glenn M. Renwick*

Kenneth I. Shine*

Gail R. Wilensky*

*By 

/s/ MARIANNE D. SHORT

Marianne D. Short,
As Attorney-in-Fact

Date

February 12, 2014

February 12, 2014

February 12, 2014

February 12, 2014

February 12, 2014

February 12, 2014

February 12, 2014

February 12, 2014

February 12, 2014

February 12, 2014

February 12, 2014

February 12, 2014

February 12, 2014

94

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

EXHIBIT INDEX**

3.1

3.2 

4.1 

4.2 

4.3 

4.4 

*10.1 

*10.2 

*10.3 

*10.4 

Third Restated Articles of Incorporation of 
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (incorporated 
by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to UnitedHealth Group 
Incorporated’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on 
May 30, 2007)
 Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws of 
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (incorporated 
by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to UnitedHealth Group 
Incorporated’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on 
October 26, 2009)
 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 UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s 
Registration Statement on Form S-3/A, SEC File 
Number 333-66013, filed on January 11, 1999)
 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 UnitedHealth Group 
Incorporated’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for 
the quarter ended September 30, 2001)
 Instrument of Resignation, Appointment and 
Acceptance of Trustee, dated January 8, 2007, 
pursuant to the Senior Indenture, dated November 
15, 1988, 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)
 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 UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s 
Registration Statement on Form S-3, SEC File 
Number 333-149031, filed on February 4, 2008)
 UnitedHealth Group Incorporated 2011 
Stock Incentive Plan, effective May 23, 2011 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to 
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s Definitive 
Proxy Statement dated April 13, 2011)
 Form of Agreement for Non-Qualified Stock 
Option Award to Executives under UnitedHealth 
Group Incorporated’s 2011 Stock Incentive Plan
 Form of Agreement for Non-Qualified Stock 
Option Award for International Participants under 
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s 2011 Stock 
Incentive Plan
 Form of Addendum for Non-Qualified Stock Option 
Award Agreement for International Participants 
under UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s 2011 
Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 10.37 to UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s 
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended 
December 31, 2012)

*10.5 

*10.6 

*10.7 

*10.8 

*10.9 

*10.10 

*10.11 

*10.12 

*10.13 

*10.14 

 Form of Agreement for Restricted Stock Unit 
Award to Executives under UnitedHealth 
Group Incorporated’s 2011 Stock Incentive Plan 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to 
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s Current Report 
on Form 8-K filed on May 27, 2011)
 Form of Agreement for Restricted Stock Award 
to Executives under UnitedHealth Group 
Incorporated’s 2011 Stock Incentive Plan 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to 
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s Current Report 
on Form 8-K filed on May 27, 2011)
 Form of Agreement for Stock Appreciation 
Rights Award to Executives under UnitedHealth 
Group Incorporated’s 2011 Stock Incentive Plan 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to 
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s Current Report 
on Form 8-K filed on May 27, 2011)
 Form of Agreement for Performance-based 
Restricted Stock Unit Award to Executives under 
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s 2011 Stock 
Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 10.3 to UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s 
Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 27, 2011)
 Form of Agreement for Initial Deferred Stock 
Unit Award to Non-Employee Directors under 
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s 2011 Stock 
Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 10.7 to UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s 
Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 27, 2011)
 Form of Agreement for Deferred Stock Unit Award 
to Non-Employee Directors under UnitedHealth 
Group Incorporated’s 2011 Stock Incentive Plan 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to 
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s Current Report 
on Form 8-K filed on May 27, 2011)
 Amended and Restated UnitedHealth Group 
Incorporated Executive Incentive Plan (2009 
Statement), effective as of December 31, 2008 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to 
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s Annual Report 
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 
2008)
 Amended and Restated UnitedHealth Group 
Incorporated 2008 Executive Incentive Plan, 
effective as of December 31, 2008 (incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10.13 to UnitedHealth Group 
Incorporated’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 
year ended December 31, 2008)
 Amendment, dated as of December 21, 2012, 
of Amended and Restated UnitedHealth Group 
Incorporated 2008 Executive Incentive Plan 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to 
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s Annual Report 
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 
2012)
 UnitedHealth Group Executive Savings Plan (2004 
Statement) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 

*10.15 

*10.16 

*10.17 

*10.18 

*10.19 

*10.20 

*10.21 

*10.22 

*10.23 

*10.24 

10(e) of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 
31, 2003)
 First Amendment to UnitedHealth Group Executive 
Savings Plan (2004 Statement) (incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10.3 to UnitedHealth Group 
Incorporated’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on 
November 3, 2006)
 Second Amendment to UnitedHealth Group 
Executive Savings Plan (2004 Statement) 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to 
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s Annual Report 
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 
2007)
 Third Amendment to UnitedHealth Group 
Executive Savings Plan (2004 Statement) 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to 
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s Annual Report 
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 
2008)
 Fourth Amendment to UnitedHealth Group 
Executive Savings Plan (2004 Statement) 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of 
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s Quarterly 
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 
September 30, 2010)
 Summary of Non-Management Director 
Compensation, effective as of October 1, 2013 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to 
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s Quarterly 
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 
September 30, 2013)
 UnitedHealth Group Directors’ Compensation 
Deferral Plan (2009 Statement) (incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10.18 to UnitedHealth Group 
Incorporated’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 
year ended December 31, 2008)
 Amendment to the UnitedHealth Group Directors’ 
Compensation Deferral Plan, effective as of 
January 1, 2010 (incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 10.20 to UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s 
Annual Report on Form 10K for the year ended 
December 31, 2009)
 First Amendment to UnitedHealth Group Directors’ 
Compensation Deferral Plan (incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10.2 to UnitedHealth Group 
Incorporated’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for 
the quarter ended September 30, 2010)
 Employment Agreement, dated as of November 7, 
2006, between UnitedHealth Group Incorporated 
and Stephen J. Hemsley (incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10.1 to UnitedHealth Group 
Incorporated’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on 
November 8, 2006)
 Agreement for Supplemental Executive Retirement 
Pay, effective April 1, 2004, between UnitedHealth 
Group Incorporated and Stephen J. Hemsley 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b) to 

2013 FORM 10-K

95

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s Quarterly 
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 
31, 2004)
 Amendment to Agreement for Supplemental 
Executive Retirement Pay, dated as of November 7, 
2006, between UnitedHealth Group Incorporated 
and Stephen J. Hemsley (incorporated by reference 
to Exhibit A to Exhibit 10.1 to UnitedHealth Group 
Incorporated’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on 
November 8, 2006)
 Amendment to Employment Agreement and 
Agreement for Supplemental Executive Retirement 
Pay, effective as of December 31, 2008, between 
United HealthCare Services, Inc. and Stephen J. 
Hemsley (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 
10.22 to UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s 
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended 
December 31, 2008)
 Letter Agreement, effective as of February 19, 
2008, by and between UnitedHealth Group 
Incorporated and Stephen J. Hemsley (incorporated 
by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to UnitedHealth 
Group Incorporated’s Annual Report on Form 10-K 
for the year ended December 31, 2007)
 Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated 
as of December 14, 2010, between UnitedHealth 
Group Incorporated and Stephen J. Hemsley 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to 
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s Current Report 
on Form 8-K filed on December 15, 2010)
 Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, 
dated as of August 8, 2011, between United 
HealthCare Services, Inc. and Gail K. Boudreaux 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to 
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s Quarterly 
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 
September 30, 2011)
 Employment Agreement, effective as of December 
1, 2006, between United HealthCare Services, 
Inc. and David S. Wichmann (incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10.2 to UnitedHealth Group 
Incorporated’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for 
the quarter ended March 31, 2008)
 Amendment to Employment Agreement, effective 
as of December 31, 2008, between United 
HealthCare Services, Inc. and David S. Wichmann 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.37 to 
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s Annual Report 
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 
2008)
 Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, 
dated as of March 26, 2012, between United 
HealthCare Services, Inc. and Larry C. Renfro 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to 
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s Quarterly 
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 
31, 2012)
 Amended Employment Agreement, effective as 

*10.25 

*10.26 

*10.27 

*10.28 

*10.29 

*10.30 

*10.31 

*10.32 

*10.33 

96

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP

*10.34 

11.1 

12.1 
21.1 
23.1 

24.1 
31.1 

32.1 

101 

of November 1, 2012, between Amil Assistência 
Médica Internacional S.A. and Dr. Edson de Godoy 
Bueno (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 
to UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 
31, 2012)
 Employment Agreement, effective as of January 1, 
2013, between United HealthCare Services, Inc. and 
Marianne D. Short
 Statement regarding computation of per share 
earnings (incorporated by reference to the 
information contained under the heading “Net 
Earnings Per Common Share” in Note 2 of Notes to 
the Consolidated Financial Statements included in 
Item 8, “Financial Statements”)
 Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
Subsidiaries of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated
 Consent of Independent Registered Public 
Accounting Firm
 Power of Attorney
 Certifications pursuant to Section 302 of the 
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the 
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 The following materials from UnitedHealth Group 
Incorporated’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 
year ended December 31, 2013, filed on February 
12, 2014, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business 
Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance 
Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations, 
(iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive 
Income, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Changes in 
Shareholders’ Equity, (v) Consolidated Statements 
of Cash Flows, and (vi) Notes to the 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.

Investor Information

Market price of common stock
The following table shows the range of high and low sales 

Investor relations
You can contact UnitedHealth Group Investor Relations  

prices for our common stock as reported by the New York 

to order, without charge, financial documents such as  

Stock Exchange, where it trades under the symbol UNH. 

the Annual Report on Form 10-K and the Annual Report  

These prices do not include commissions or fees associated 

to Shareholders.

with purchasing or selling this security.

2014 

First Quarter 

2013

First Quarter 

Second Quarter 

Third Quarter 

Fourth Quarter  

2012

First Quarter 

Second Quarter 

Third Quarter 

Fourth Quarter  

high 

low

$83.32  

$69.57

$58.26  

$66.19  

$75.88  

$75.54  

$59.43  

$60.75  

$59.31  

$58.29  

$51.36 

$57.01 

$64.65 

$66.72 

$49.82 

$53.78 

$50.32 

$51.09 

As of January 31, 2014, we had 14,575 shareholders of record.

Shareholder account questions
Our transfer agent, Wells Fargo Shareowner Services,  

can help you with a variety of shareholder-related  

services, including:

•  Change of address 

•  Lost stock certificates 

•  Transfer of stock to another person 

•  Additional administrative services

You can write to them at: 

Wells Fargo Shareowner Services 

P.O. Box 64854 

St. Paul, Minnesota 55164-0854

Or you can call our transfer agent toll free at  

(800) 468-9716 or locally at (651) 450-4064.

You can email our transfer agent at: 

stocktransfer@wellsfargo.com

You can write to us at: 

Investor Relations, MN008-T930 

UnitedHealth Group 

P.O. Box 1459 

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55440-1459

You can also obtain information about UnitedHealth Group 

and its businesses, including financial documents, online at 

www.unitedhealthgroup.com.

Annual meeting
We invite UnitedHealth Group shareholders to attend our 

annual meeting on Monday, June 2, 2014. For information 

regarding the time and location of the meeting, please  

see the Investors section of our corporate website,  

www.unitedhealthgroup.com. You will need to bring 

appropriate proof of UnitedHealth Group share ownership 

and a photo ID with you to the annual meeting in order to 

be admitted.

Common stock dividends
In June 2013, our Board of Directors increased our cash 

dividend to shareholders to an annual dividend rate of  

$1.12 per share, paid quarterly. Since June 2012, we had 

paid an annual cash dividend of $0.85 per share, paid 

quarterly. 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.

10%

10%

This annual report is printed on recycled papers certified by Bureau Veritas per FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council™)
standards for Chain of Custody ensuring environmentally responsible, socially beneficial and economically viable
forest management, and also uses reduced VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) vegetable-based inks.

www.unitedhealthgroup.com

UnitedHealth Group Center
9900 Bren Road East, Minnetonka, Minnesota 55343

100-13219 4/14  

©2014 UnitedHealth Group. All Rights Reserved. UnitedHealth Group is a registered trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Offi ce.

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