Here are 10 updates on UnitedHealth Group and its subsidiaries that Becker's has reported since Jan. 9:
1. Change Healthcare increased its estimate of the number of people whose personal and health data was breached in a 2024 ransomware attack to 190 million. The UnitedHealth Group claims processing subsidiary had previously reported that hackers compromised the information of 100 million people before releasing the new figure Jan. 24.
2. A Minnesota federal judge gave preliminary approval to UnitedHealth's agreement to pay $69 million to settle a class-action lawsuit alleging the company prioritized its business relationship with Wells Fargo over concerns that its 401(k) plan contained low-performing target-date funds.
3. UnitedHealth named a new CEO to lead its insurance business, following the fatal shooting of former UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson late last year. Tim Noel was named to the position, having most recently served as CEO of UnitedHealthcare Medicare and Retirement.
4. CMS withdrew its appeal of a judge's decision directing the agency to increase UnitedHealthcare's star ratings for its Medicare Advantage plans for 2025.
5. The medical cost challenges that have challenged insurers in 2024 will not be going away in 2025, UnitedHealth executives said in January.
6. Optum Rx will pass 100% of the rebates it negotiates for drugs onto its consumers by the end of 2028, UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty told investors.
7. Mr. Witty said the company is committed to reducing prior authorizations and improving customer satisfaction on the company's first investor call since the murder of Mr. Thompson.
8. UnitedHealth Group reported record revenue in 2024, but profits declined as the company continues to grapple with costs associated with the February cyberattack on Change Healthcare and headwinds within its insurance business.
9. UnitedHealth Group asked a federal judge to dismiss the Justice Department's challenge to its acquisition of Amedisys, or require the department to provide more specific data on how the deal could harm competition.
10. A group of shareholders requested UnitedHealth Group management analyze how its business practices affect access to care and public health. The proposal from the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility requested the company prepare a report on "public health-related costs and macroeconomic risks created by the company's practices that limit or delay access to healthcare."