UnitedHealth Group Stock Rises Amid Medicare Advantage Shake-Up
UnitedHealth Group's stock gained 1.83 percent on October 2, 2026, closing at $371.90 on the NYSE. This move came as the company made significant changes to its Medicare Advantage offering for 2027.
The company is shutting down Medicare Advantage plans covering nearly 390,000 people due to a membership reset. This change adds pressure to an industry where enrollment and medical costs are moving in opposite directions.
UnitedHealthcare had approximately 7.565 million Medicare Advantage members as of June 30, 2026. Open enrollment for the 2027 membership base will run from October 15 through December 7.
The company's Q2 results showed a significant improvement in revenue and diluted EPS, with operating earnings rising 55.2 percent to $7.991 billion. However, the second-quarter figure included $860 million of favorable prior-period reserve development, making it an important test of recurring performance.