UnitedHealth & AI: Can Technology Redefine Healthcare Efficiency?

The largest health insurer in the United States, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated UNH, is increasingly incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into its operations to transform the way healthcare is provided and managed. With its extensive data from insurance claims, provider networks and patient interactions, the company is able to implement AI tools on a large scale.

As costs continue to climb and patient expectations evolve, UNH is integrating AI into both its insurance and care delivery sectors, with the goal of boosting efficiency while enhancing patient outcomes at the same time. AI-powered systems are making it easier for healthcare providers to spot high-risk patients sooner, customize care plans and cut down on hospital admissions.

In the space of insurance, AI is playing a crucial role for UNH by making claims processing smoother and spotting fraud with high accuracy. Internal analysis of the company found that the system could save around 4,500 to 5,000 staff hours each year by cutting down on the time spent searching for information.

However, the healthcare sector is deeply rooted in human judgment, and concerns like data privacy, algorithmic bias and the risk of becoming overly dependent on automation can’t be overlooked. If UNH can strike a balance between innovation and trust, ensuring that AI tools are transparent and supportive rather than replacing healthcare professionals’ decisions, it could serve as a blueprint for the broader healthcare system while supporting the company’s long-term growth through cost reduction.

How Are Competitors Faring?

Some of UNH’s major competitors in the AI-enabled healthcare solutions are Elevance Health, Inc. ELV and Humana Inc. HUM.

Elevance Health’s AI tool speeds up the prior authorization process by aligning necessary documentation with medical policies, helping patients receive faster approvals. Elevance Health’s system undergoes thorough evaluations to check for bias and performance.

Humana focuses on using AI ethically to improve patient experiences, enhance care quality and achieve better health outcomes, while ensuring human involvement in all clinical decision-making processes. By partnering with Google Cloud, Humana utilizes Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-compliant infrastructure and a secure data system, allowing customers to maintain complete control over their data.

UnitedHealth’s Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates

Shares of UNH have declined 37.7% in the year-to-date period compared with the industry’s fall of 29.5%.

From a valuation standpoint, UnitedHealth trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 18.44, above the industry average of 15.23. UNH carries a Value Score of B.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for UnitedHealth’s 2025 earnings is pegged at $16.21 per share, implying a 41.4% drop from the year-ago period.

The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research