STAT+: Despite earnings celebration, UnitedHealth signals more financial pain for employers

STAT PlusInsurance Despite earnings celebration, UnitedHealth signals more financial pain for employers Medical costs for UnitedHealthcare’s employer clients soared 11% Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Bob HermanJuly 16, 2026 Bob Herman is the author of Health Care Inc., an award-winning weekly newsletter about the business of health and medicine. Bob Herman[email protected]Bob covers the money in health care, focusing on health insurance and hospitals. His stories delve into Medicare Advantage, opaque prescription drug benefits, and how much executives actually make. He is also the author of the Health Care Inc. newsletter. You can reach Bob on Signal at bobjherman.09. UnitedHealth Group smashed through investors’ earnings expectations in the second quarter, with executives confidently saying this new level of profit is durable for the foreseeable future. The numbers lifted the company’s stock about 3% as it attempts to return to financial dominance under CEO Stephen Hemsley. But a string of comments made during the company’s earnings call on Thursday signals a more ominous path ahead for America’s businesses and workers.Advertisement More than 150 million Americans get their health coverage from a job. A new series from STAT chronicles how the costs of that insurance are stretching employers like never before. An increasing number of America’s small businesses are abandoning traditional health benefits completely, forcing workers to find alternative options. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — and get additional analysis of the financial innards of our health care system — by subscribing to STAT+. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In health care costs, Health insurance, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Bob Herman Business of Health Care Reporter Bob covers the money in health care, focusing on health insurance and hospitals. His stories delve into Medicare Advantage, opaque prescription drug benefits, and how much executives actually make. He is also the author of the Health Care Inc. newsletter. You can reach Bob on Signal at bobjherman.09. Newsletter Unpacking the business — and secretive inner workings — of the U.S. health care industry Recommended The Readout July 16, 2026 STAT Plus: FDA approves Merck’s oral PCSK9 drug, a first Insurance July 15, 2026 STAT Plus: Elevance plots a Medicaid retreat as costs remain high Advertisement Exclusive July 15, 2026 STAT Plus: Medicare Advantage insurers face new bipartisan scrutiny over AI and care denials Health tech July 15, 2026 STAT Plus: Swing Therapeutics acquired by medical VR platform XR Health Business July 14, 2026 STAT Plus: Hospital chain HCA warns of lower profits as more patients go uninsured Subscriber Picks