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UnitedHealth Group Inc., the biggest U.S. health insurer, posted first-quarter profit that beat analysts’ estimates as results from its Optum technology and consulting business helped overcome losses on Affordable Care Act plans. (Tracer, 4/19)

Health insurer UnitedHealth Group Inc (UNH.N) reported a better-than-expected quarterly revenue helped by strength in its Optum business which offers healthcare services and drug benefit plans. Optum revenues grew 54 percent to $19.7 billion. Revenue from Optum's pharmacy division rose 72 percent, the company said on Tuesday. (4/19)

Although UnitedHealth Group Inc. hasn’t been a major seller of Affordable Care Act insurance plans, a further retreat from President Barack Obama’s health insurance reform program could pose problems for Obamacare users in some states. (Tracer, 4/18)

If UnitedHealthcare follows through on its threat to quit the health insurance marketplaces in 2017, more than 1 million consumers would be left with a single health plan option, forecasted an analysis released Monday. A UnitedHealthcare pullout would be felt most in several states, generally in the South and Midwest, where consumers would be left with little choice of plans, the Kaiser Family Foundation reported. (KHN is an editorially independent program of the foundation.) In most of the 34 states where United operates this year, though, the effect would be modest for premiums and the number of plan options, Kaiser said. (Galewitz, 4/18)