UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
/x/ |
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 1999
OR
/ / |
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission file number: 1-10864
UNITED HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
State of Incorporation: Minnesota
I.R.S.
Employer Identification No: 41-1321939
Principal
Executive Offices:
300 Opus Center
9900 Bren Road East
Minnetonka MN, 55343
Telephone Number: (612) 936-1300
Indicate
by check mark (x) whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter periods that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past
90 days. Yes /x/ No / /
The
number of shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, outstanding on November 10, 1999, was 169,752,621.
UNITEDHEALTH GROUP
INDEX
|
|
Page
Number
|
Part I. Financial Information |
|
|
Item I. Financial Statements (Unaudited) |
|
|
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 1999 and December 31, 1998 |
|
3 |
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 1999 and 1998 |
|
4 |
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine month periods ended September 30, 1999 and 1998 |
|
5 |
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements |
|
6 |
Report of Independent Public Accountants |
|
14 |
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
|
15 |
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk |
|
28 |
Part II. Other Information |
|
|
Item 1. Legal Proceedings |
|
29 |
Item 6. Exhibits |
|
30 |
Signatures |
|
31 |
UNITEDHEALTH GROUP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions, except share and per share data)
|
|
September 30,
1999
|
|
December 31,
1998
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
|
ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and Cash Equivalents |
|
$ |
973 |
|
$ |
1,644 |
Short-Term Investments |
|
|
201 |
|
|
170 |
Accounts Receivable, net |
|
|
967 |
|
|
965 |
Assets Under Management |
|
|
1,274 |
|
|
1,155 |
Other Current Assets |
|
|
208 |
|
|
320 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total Current Assets |
|
|
3,623 |
|
|
4,254 |
Long-Term Investments |
|
|
3,050 |
|
|
2,610 |
Property and Equipment, net |
|
|
295 |
|
|
294 |
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, net |
|
|
2,817 |
|
|
2,517 |
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL ASSETS |
|
$ |
9,785 |
|
$ |
9,675 |
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Medical Costs Payable |
|
$ |
2,969 |
|
$ |
2,780 |
Other Policy Liabilities |
|
|
797 |
|
|
714 |
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities |
|
|
946 |
|
|
713 |
Short-Term Debt |
|
|
400 |
|
|
459 |
Accrued Operational Realignment and Other Charges |
|
|
151 |
|
|
236 |
Unearned Premiums |
|
|
206 |
|
|
414 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total Current Liabilities |
|
|
5,469 |
|
|
5,316 |
Long-Term Debt |
|
|
250 |
|
|
249 |
Deferred Income Taxes and Other Liabilities |
|
|
96 |
|
|
72 |
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders' Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Stock, $.01 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 171,296,000 and 183,930,000 issued and outstanding |
|
|
2 |
|
|
2 |
Additional Paid-in Capital |
|
|
483 |
|
|
1,107 |
Retained Earnings |
|
|
3,290 |
|
|
2,885 |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Unrealized Holding Gains on Investments Available for Sale, net of income tax effects |
|
|
195 |
|
|
44 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total Shareholders' Equity |
|
|
3,970 |
|
|
4,038 |
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY |
|
$ |
9,785 |
|
$ |
9,675 |
|
|
|
|
|
See
notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
UNITEDHEALTH GROUP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in millions, except per share data)
(unaudited)
|
|
Three months ended September 30,
|
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
1999
|
|
1998
|
|
1999
|
|
1998
|
|
REVENUES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Premiums |
|
$ |
4,405 |
|
$ |
3,898 |
|
$ |
13,095 |
|
$ |
11,353 |
|
Management Services and Fees |
|
|
444 |
|
|
399 |
|
|
1,311 |
|
|
1,172 |
|
Investment and Other Income |
|
|
54 |
|
|
63 |
|
|
164 |
|
|
185 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Revenues |
|
|
4,903 |
|
|
4,360 |
|
|
14,570 |
|
|
12,710 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OPERATING EXPENSES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Medical Costs |
|
|
3,769 |
|
|
3,354 |
|
|
11,235 |
|
|
9,941 |
|
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses |
|
|
834 |
|
|
749 |
|
|
2,479 |
|
|
2,167 |
|
Depreciation and Amortization |
|
|
61 |
|
|
43 |
|
|
171 |
|
|
133 |
|
Operational Realignment and Other Charges |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
725 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Operating Expenses |
|
|
4,664 |
|
|
4,146 |
|
|
13,885 |
|
|
12,966 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EARNINGS (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS |
|
|
239 |
|
|
214 |
|
|
685 |
|
|
(256 |
) |
Interest Expense |
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
|
|
(32 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EARNINGS (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES |
|
|
229 |
|
|
214 |
|
|
653 |
|
|
(256 |
) |
Provision for Income Taxes |
|
|
(85 |
) |
|
(79 |
) |
|
(242 |
) |
|
(42 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET EARNINGS (LOSS) |
|
|
144 |
|
|
135 |
|
|
411 |
|
|
(298 |
) |
CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS |
|
|
|
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
|
|
(22 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET EARNINGS (LOSS) APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS |
|
$ |
144 |
|
$ |
128 |
|
$ |
411 |
|
$ |
(320 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BASIC NET EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE |
|
$ |
0.83 |
|
$ |
0.67 |
|
$ |
2.34 |
|
$ |
(1.67 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DILUTED NET EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE |
|
$ |
0.81 |
|
$ |
0.66 |
|
$ |
2.29 |
|
$ |
(1.67 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WEIGHTED-AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING |
|
|
174 |
|
|
192 |
|
|
176 |
|
|
192 |
|
DILUTIVE EFFECT OF OUTSTANDING STOCK OPTIONS |
|
|
4 |
|
|
2 |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WEIGHTED-AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING, ASSUMING DILUTION |
|
|
178 |
|
|
194 |
|
|
179 |
|
|
192 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See
notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
UNITEDHEALTH GROUP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in millions)
(unaudited)
|
|
Nine months ended
September 30,
|
|
|
|
1999
|
|
1998
|
|
OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Earnings (Loss) |
|
$ |
411 |
|
$ |
(298 |
) |
Noncash Items: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and Amortization |
|
|
171 |
|
|
133 |
|
Deferred Income Taxes |
|
|
66 |
|
|
(210 |
) |
Asset Impairments |
|
|
|
|
|
451 |
|
Net Change in Other Operating Items: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts Receivable and Other Current Assets |
|
|
26 |
|
|
(94 |
) |
Medical Costs Payable |
|
|
158 |
|
|
181 |
|
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities |
|
|
167 |
|
|
148 |
|
Accrued Operational Realignment and Other Charges |
|
|
(85 |
) |
|
265 |
|
Unearned Premiums |
|
|
(219 |
) |
|
(143 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash Flows From Operating Activities |
|
|
695 |
|
|
433 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INVESTING ACTIVITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash Paid for Acquisitions, net of cash assumed and other effects |
|
|
(327 |
) |
|
(125 |
) |
Proceeds from Disposal of Businesses |
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
|
Purchases of Property and Equipment and Capitalized Software, net |
|
|
(151 |
) |
|
(112 |
) |
Purchases of Investments |
|
|
(1,612 |
) |
|
(2,353 |
) |
Maturities/Sales of Investments |
|
|
1,384 |
|
|
2,660 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash Flows (Used for) From Investing Activities |
|
|
(655 |
) |
|
70 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FINANCING ACTIVITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from Stock Option Exercises |
|
|
91 |
|
|
83 |
|
Common Stock Repurchases |
|
|
(737 |
) |
|
(284 |
) |
Payments of Short-term Borrowings |
|
|
(60 |
) |
|
|
|
Dividends Paid |
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
(27 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash Flows Used for Financing Activities |
|
|
(711 |
) |
|
(228 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS |
|
|
(671 |
) |
|
275 |
|
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD |
|
|
1,644 |
|
|
750 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD |
|
$ |
973 |
|
$ |
1,025 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See
notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
UNITEDHEALTH GROUP
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
1. Basis of Presentation
Unless the context otherwise requires, the use of the terms the "Company," "we," "us," and "our" in the following refers to UnitedHealth Group and its
subsidiaries.
The
accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments, needed to present the financial
results for these interim periods fairly. These financial statements include certain amounts that are based on our best estimates and judgments. The most significant estimates relate to medical costs,
medical costs payable and other policy liabilities, intangible asset valuations and integration reserves relating to acquisitions, and liabilities and asset impairments relating to our operational
realignment activities. These estimates may be adjusted as more current information becomes available, and any adjustment could be significant.
Following
the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, we have omitted footnote disclosures that would substantially duplicate the disclosures contained in our
annual audited financial statements. Read together with the disclosures below, we believe the interim financial statements are presented fairly. However, these unaudited condensed consolidated
financial statements should be read together with the consolidated financial statements and the notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended by our Form 10-K/A, for the
year ended December 31, 1998.
2. Reclassifications
Certain 1998 amounts in the condensed consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 1999 presentation. These reclassifications
have no effect on net earnings (loss) or shareholders' equity as previously reported.
3. Operational Realignment and Other Charges
In conjunction with our operational realignment initiatives, we developed and, in the second quarter of 1998, approved a comprehensive plan (the Plan) to
implement our operational realignment. We recognized corresponding charges to operations of $725 million in the second quarter of 1998, which reflected the estimated costs to be incurred under
the Plan. The charges included costs associated with asset impairments; employee terminations; disposing of or discontinuing business units, product lines, and contracts; and consolidating and
eliminating certain claims processing operations and associated real estate obligations.
The
asset impairments consisted principally of purchased in-process research and development associated with our acquisition of Medicode, Inc. and goodwill and other long-lived assets
including fixed assets, computer hardware and software and leasehold improvements associated with businesses we intend to dispose of or markets where we plan to curtail our operations or change our
operating
presence, and other realignment initiatives. Activities associated with the Plan will result in the reduction of approximately 5,200 positions, affecting approximately 6,400 people in various
locations. Through September 30, 1999, we have eliminated approximately 3,300 positions pursuant to the Plan. The remaining positions will be eliminated by December 31, 2000.
In
August 1999, we completed the sale of our managed workers' compensation business. During the second half of 1998 and the first half of 1999, we also completed the sale of
our medical provider clinics and the reconfiguration of our small group insurance business and a non-strategic health plan market. The
balances accrued in our operational realignment and other charges were sufficient to cover actual costs associated with the disposition and reconfiguration of these businesses.
Remaining
markets where we plan to curtail or make changes to our operating presence include two health plan markets that are in non-strategic markets. In Puerto Rico, we expect to
complete the sale of this business prior to April 30, 2000. In the Pacific Coast markets, we will be exiting our operations related to small and mid-sized customer groups. We believe the
balances accrued in our operational realignment and other charges will be sufficient to cover expenses incurred in the sale and exit of these markets.
Our
accompanying financial statements include the operating results of businesses and markets to be disposed of or discontinued in connection with the operational realignment. The
carrying value of the net assets held for sale or disposal is approximately $20 million as of September 30, 1999. Our accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations include revenues
and operating losses from businesses disposed of or to be disposed, and markets we plan to exit, for the three and nine month periods ended September 30 as follows (in millions):
|
|
Three months ended September 30,
|
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
1999
|
|
1998
|
|
1999
|
|
1998
|
|
Revenues |
|
$ |
137 |
|
$ |
246 |
|
$ |
569 |
|
$ |
722 |
|
Operating loss before income taxes |
|
$ |
(9 |
) |
$ |
(1 |
) |
$ |
(33 |
) |
$ |
(25 |
) |
The
table above does not include operating results from the counties where we withdrew our Medicare product offerings, effective January 1, 1999, and where we will be
withdrawing our Medicare product offerings, effective January 1, 2000. Annual revenues for 1998 for Medicare counties we exited in January 1999 were approximately $225 million. Annual
revenues for 1999 from the Medicare counties we are exiting in January 2000 are expected to be approximately $230 million.
The
following is a roll-forward of accrued operational realignment and other charges through September 30, 1999 (in millions):
|
|
Asset
Impairments
|
|
Severance and
Outplacement
Costs
|
|
Noncancelable
Lease
Obligations
|
|
Disposition of
Businesses and
Other Costs
|
|
Total
|
|
Balance at December 31, 1997 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Provision for Operational Realignment and Other Charges |
|
|
430 |
|
|
142 |
|
|
82 |
|
|
71 |
|
|
725 |
|
Additional Charges/(Credits) |
|
|
21 |
|
|
(20 |
) |
|
(9 |
) |
|
8 |
|
|
|
|
Cash Payments |
|
|
|
|
|
(19 |
) |
|
(6 |
) |
|
(13 |
) |
|
(38 |
) |
Non-cash Charges |
|
|
(451 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(451 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 1998 |
|
|
|
|
|
103 |
|
|
67 |
|
|
66 |
|
|
236 |
|
Cash Payments |
|
|
|
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
(2 |
) |
|
(14 |
) |
|
(25 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at March 31, 1999 |
|
|
|
|
|
94 |
|
|
65 |
|
|
52 |
|
|
211 |
|
Additional Charges/(Credits) |
|
|
|
|
|
(22 |
) |
|
13 |
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
|
Cash Payments |
|
|
|
|
|
(15 |
) |
|
(6 |
) |
|
(22 |
) |
|
(43 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at June 30, 1999 |
|
|
|
|
|
57 |
|
|
72 |
|
|
39 |
|
|
168 |
|
Cash Payments |
|
|
|
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
(3 |
) |
|
(4 |
) |
|
(17 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at September 30, 1999 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
47 |
|
$ |
69 |
|
$ |
35 |
|
$ |
151 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In
regard to the purchased research and development, as of the date of our December 1997 acquisition, Medicode had invested approximately $8.5 million in in-process
research and development projects. An additional $5.0 million was expended through September 30, 1999, at which time all projects that were in in-process as of the acquisition date were
complete.
The
operational realignment and other charges do not cover certain aspects of the Plan, including new information systems, data conversions, process re-engineering, and employee
relocation and training. These costs will be charged to expense as incurred or capitalized, as appropriate. During the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 1999, we incurred
expenses of approximately $12 million and $46 million, respectively, related to these activities.
The
original operational realignment plan provided for substantial completion in 1999. We continue to implement our original realignment plan, however, some initiatives including the
consolidation of certain claims and administrative processing functions and certain divestitures and market realignment activities, are requiring additional time to complete and, accordingly, will
extend into the year 2000. Based on current facts and circumstances, we believe the remaining realignment reserve is adequate to cover the costs to be incurred in executing the remainder of the Plan.
However, as we proceed with the execution of the Plan and more current information becomes available, it may be necessary to adjust our estimates for severance, lease obligations on exited facilities,
and losses on businesses held for disposal.
4. Cash and Investments
As of September 30, 1999, the amortized cost, gross unrealized holding gains and losses and fair value of cash and investments were as follows
(in millions):
|
|
Amortized Cost
|
|
Gross Unrealized
Holding Gains
|
|
Gross Unrealized
Holding Losses
|
|
Fair Value
|
Cash and Cash Equivalents |
|
$ |
973 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
973 |
Debt SecuritiesInvestments Available for Sale |
|
|
2,759 |
|
|
10 |
|
|
(39 |
) |
|
2,730 |
Equity SecuritiesInvestments Available for Sale |
|
|
106 |
|
|
340 |
|
|
|
|
|
446 |
Debt SecuritiesHeld to Maturity |
|
|
75 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
75 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Cash and Investments |
|
$ |
3,913 |
|
$ |
350 |
|
$ |
(39 |
) |
$ |
4,224 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross
realized gains of $1 million and $7 million, and gross realized losses of $3 million and $0 were recognized for the three month periods ended September 30,
1999 and 1998, respectively, and are included in investment and other income in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Gross realized gains of $8 million and
$22 million, and gross realized losses of $8 million and $3 million were recognized for the nine month periods ended September 30, 1999 and 1998, respectively.
At
September 30, 1999, our equity securities include a $318 million gross unrealized gain related to our investment in approximately 9 million shares of Healtheon
Corporation common stock.
5. Debt
Debt consists of the following:
|
|
September 30, 1999
|
|
December 31, 1998
|
|
|
|
Par Value
|
|
Carrying
Value
|
|
Par Value
|
|
Carrying
Value
|
|
5.65% Senior Unsecured Note due December 1999 |
|
$ |
400 |
|
$ |
400 |
|
$ |
400 |
|
$ |
400 |
|
6.60% Senior Unsecured Note due December 2003 |
|
|
250 |
|
|
249 |
|
|
250 |
|
|
249 |
|
Commercial Paper |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
60 |
|
|
59 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
650 |
|
|
649 |
|
|
710 |
|
|
708 |
|
Less: Current Portion |
|
|
(400 |
) |
|
(400 |
) |
|
(460 |
) |
|
(459 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Long-Term Debt |
|
$ |
250 |
|
$ |
249 |
|
$ |
250 |
|
$ |
249 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
repayment of the $400 million unsecured note due in October 1999 will be financed with the two-year floating rate note and commercial paper issued in October and
November, as described below.
The
carrying value of the Company's outstanding debt approximates its fair value at September 30, 1999.
In
August 1999, we increased our commercial paper program and our supporting credit arrangement with a group of banks to an aggregate of $900 million. The supporting
credit arrangement is comprised
of a $300 million revolving credit facility, expiring in 2003, and a $600 million 364-day facility, expiring in
August 2000. We also have the capacity to issue approximately $150 million of extendible commercial notes (ECN's). At September 30, 1999, we had no borrowings outstanding under
our commercial paper program, supporting credit facilities, or ECN's.
During
October and November 1999, we issued commercial paper and, as of November 11, 1999, we had $612 million outstanding, with interest rates ranging from 5.5%
to 6.3%.
In
November 1999, we also issued a $150 million two-year floating rate note. The interest rate for the initial three month period is 6.65%.
The
Company's debt arrangements and credit facilities contain various covenants, the most restrictive of which place limitations on secured and unsecured borrowings and require the
Company to exceed minimum interest coverage levels. We are in compliance with the requirements of all debt covenants.
6. American Association of Retired Persons Contract
On January 1, 1998, we entered into a ten-year contract to provide insurance products and services to members of the AARP. Under the terms of the
contract, we are compensated for claims administration and other services as well as for assuming underwriting risk. We are also engaged in product development activities to complement the insurance
offerings under this program. The AARP has also contracted with certain other vendors to provide other member and marketing services. We report premium revenues associated with the AARP program net of
the administrative fees paid to these vendors and an administrative allowance we pay to the AARP.
Our
underwriting results related to the AARP business are recorded as an increase or decrease to a rate stabilization fund (RSF). The RSF is included in other policy liabilities in
the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The primary components of our underwriting results are premium revenue, medical costs, investment income, administrative expenses, member
service expenses, marketing expenses and premium taxes. To the extent we incur underwriting losses that exceed the balance in the RSF, we would be required to fund the deficit. Any deficit we fund
could be covered by underwriting gains in future periods of the contract. The RSF balance was $509 million as of December 31, 1998, and is $618 million as of September 30,
1999. We believe the RSF balance is sufficient to cover any potential future underwriting or other risks associated with the contract.
We
assumed the policy and other policy liabilities related to the AARP program and received cash and premiums receivables from the previous insurance carrier equal to the carrying
value of the liabilities assumed as of January 1, 1998. The following AARP program-related assets and liabilities are included in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in millions):
Description
|
|
Balance as of
September 30, 1999
|
|
Balance as of
December 31, 1998
|
Assets Under Management |
|
$ |
1,274 |
|
$ |
1,155 |
Receivables |
|
$ |
287 |
|
$ |
287 |
Medical Costs Payable |
|
$ |
856 |
|
$ |
830 |
Other Policy Liabilities |
|
$ |
618 |
|
$ |
509 |
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities |
|
$ |
87 |
|
$ |
103 |
The effects of changes in balance sheet amounts associated with the AARP program accrue to the AARP policyholders through the RSF balance. Accordingly, we do not include the effect of
such changes in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
7. Stock Repurchase Program
During the third quarter of 1999, we repurchased an additional 3.3 million shares of common stock for $188 million, bringing our total shares
repurchased since inception of our stock repurchase activities through September 30, 1999 to 26.8 million shares for approximately $1.2 billion. During the nine months ended
September 30, 1999, we repurchased 15.4 million shares for an aggregate $774 million. On October 27, 1999, we announced a new Stock Repurchase Program under which up to 10% of the
Company's outstanding common stock may be repurchased, approximately 17.1 million shares.
8. Comprehensive Income
The table below presents comprehensive income, defined as changes in the equity of our business excluding changes resulting from investments by and
distributions to our shareholders, for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30 (in millions):
|
|
Three months ended September 30,
|
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
1999
|
|
1998
|
|
1999
|
|
1998
|
|
Net Earnings (Loss) |
|
$ |
144 |
|
$ |
135 |
|
$ |
411 |
|
$ |
(298 |
) |
Change in Net Unrealized Holding Gains (Losses) on Investments Available for Sale, net of income tax effects |
|
|
(224 |
) |
|
25 |
|
|
151 |
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
|
$ |
(80 |
) |
$ |
160 |
|
$ |
562 |
|
$ |
(271 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9. Segment Financial Information
Our reportable operating segments are organized and defined by a combination of economic characteristics, including the types of products and services offered
and customers served by each segment. The following is a description of the types of products and services from which each of our business segments derives its revenues:
-
- Health Care Services consists of UnitedHealthcare and Ovations and provides the majority of our risk-based
managed care product offerings. UnitedHealthcare operates locally based organized health systems to serve employers, their employees and dependents, as well as individuals, including those enrolled in
Medicare and Medicaid programs. Ovations includes underwriting and services in support of AARP Health Care Options, the group insurance program of the American Association of Retired Persons, and
EverCare®, which delivers medical care to elderly residents of nursing homes.
-
- Uniprise provides comprehensive employee benefits administrative services to large multi-site employers,
addressing all aspects of employee benefit administration, including integrated enrollment and claims processing, customer service, medical management and utilization review services.
Uniprise also provides administrative services to intermediary businesses such as insurance companies, health plans, organized provider entities and governmental agencies. Uniprise's revenues are
primarily fee-based and we generally assume no financial responsibility for health care costs associated with these products.
-
- Specialized Care Services provides specialized products and services using independent networks, including
behavioral health and substance abuse services, employee assistance services, consumer health and well-being information products, and disease management and transplant-related products and services.
These products are often included in products offered by UnitedHealthcare and Uniprise, in addition to being marketed as stand-alone products and services.
-
- Ingenix consists of products and services that use knowledge and technology to provide customers with
high-value information, data analysis, research and consulting. Customers include drug and medical device manufacturers, employers, providers, payers and government agencies.
Transactions
between business segments are recorded at their estimated fair value, as if they were purchased from or sold to third parties. All intersegment transactions are
eliminated in consolidation. Assets and liabilities that are jointly used are assigned to each segment using estimates of pro-rata usage. Cash and investments are assigned such that each segment has
minimum specified levels of regulatory capital and working capital. The "Corporate and Eliminations" column includes unassigned cash and investments, investment income derived from these unassigned
assets, company-wide costs associated with core process improvement initiatives and eliminations of intersegment transactions and balances.
The
following tables present segment financial information for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 1999 and 1998 (in millions):
Three months ended
September 30, 1999
|
|
Health Care Services
|
|
Uniprise
|
|
Specialized Care Services
|
|
Ingenix
|
|
Corporate & Eliminations
|
|
Consolidated
|
RevenuesExternal Customers |
|
$ |
4,361 |
|
$ |
352 |
|
$ |
87 |
|
$ |
49 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
4,849 |
RevenuesIntersegment |
|
|
|
|
|
110 |
|
|
104 |
|
|
15 |
|
|
(229 |
) |
|
|
Investment and Other Income |
|
|
41 |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
54 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Revenues |
|
$ |
4,402 |
|
$ |
466 |
|
$ |
191 |
|
$ |
64 |
|
$ |
(220 |
) |
$ |
4,903 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings from Operations |
|
$ |
140 |
|
$ |
57 |
|
$ |
32 |
|
$ |
10 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
239 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended
September 30, 1998
|
|
Health Care Services
|
|
Uniprise
|
|
Specialized Care Services
|
|
Ingenix
|
|
Corporate & Eliminations
|
|
Consolidated
|
RevenuesExternal Customers |
|
$ |
3,868 |
|
$ |
320 |
|
$ |
75 |
|
$ |
34 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
4,297 |
RevenuesIntersegment |
|
|
|
|
|
88 |
|
|
82 |
|
|
5 |
|
|
(175 |
) |
|
|
Investment and Other Income |
|
|
39 |
|
|
7 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
15 |
|
|
63 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Revenues |
|
$ |
3,907 |
|
$ |
415 |
|
$ |
158 |
|
$ |
40 |
|
$ |
(160 |
) |
$ |
4,360 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings from Operations |
|
$ |
133 |
|
$ |
33 |
|
$ |
24 |
|
$ |
9 |
|
$ |
15 |
|
$ |
214 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine months ended
September 30, 1999
|
|
Health Care Services
|
|
Uniprise
|
|
Specialized Care Services
|
|
Ingenix
|
|
Corporate & Eliminations
|
|
Consolidated
|
RevenuesExternal Customers |
|
$ |
13,005 |
|
$ |
1,039 |
|
$ |
237 |
|
$ |
125 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
14,406 |
RevenuesIntersegment |
|
|
|
|
|
331 |
|
|
292 |
|
|
45 |
|
|
(668 |
) |
|
|
Investment and Other Income |
|
|
122 |
|
|
17 |
|
|
3 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
21 |
|
|
164 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Revenues |
|
$ |
13,127 |
|
$ |
1,387 |
|
$ |
532 |
|
$ |
171 |
|
$ |
(647 |
) |
$ |
14,570 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings from Operations |
|
$ |
420 |
|
$ |
167 |
|
$ |
91 |
|
$ |
14 |
|
$ |
(7 |
) |
$ |
685 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine months ended
September 30, 1998
|
|
Health Care Services
|
|
Uniprise
|
|
Specialized Care Services
|
|
Ingenix
|
|
Corporate & Eliminations
|
|
Consolidated
|
|
RevenuesExternal Customers |
|
$ |
11,305 |
|
$ |
931 |
|
$ |
209 |
|
$ |
80 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
12,525 |
|
RevenuesIntersegment |
|
|
|
|
|
255 |
|
|
246 |
|
|
37 |
|
|
(538 |
) |
|
|
|
Investment and Other Income |
|
|
103 |
|
|
18 |
|
|
2 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
61 |
|
|
185 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Revenues |
|
$ |
11,408 |
|
$ |
1,204 |
|
$ |
457 |
|
$ |
118 |
|
$ |
(477 |
) |
$ |
12,710 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings (Loss) from Operations |
|
$ |
(178 |
) |
$ |
(29 |
) |
$ |
(16 |
) |
$ |
(75 |
) |
$ |
42 |
|
$ |
(256 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Excluding
the $725 million operational realignment and other charges and $175 million of charges related to contract losses associated with certain Medicare markets and other
increases to commercial
and Medicare medical costs payable estimates, earnings from operations for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 would have been as follows:
|
|
Nine months ended
September 30, 1998
|
Health Care Services |
|
$ |
371 |
Uniprise |
|
|
122 |
Specialized Care Services |
|
|
79 |
Ingenix |
|
|
11 |
Corporate and Eliminations |
|
|
61 |
|
|
|
Consolidated Earnings from Operations |
|
$ |
644 |
|
|
|
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To the Shareholders and Directors
of UnitedHealth Group:
We
have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of UnitedHealth Group, its corporate entity, United HealthCare Corporation (a Minnesota corporation), and
Subsidiaries as of September 30, 1999 and the related condensed consolidated statements of operations and cash flows for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 1999 and
1998. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.
We
conducted our review in accordance with standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. A review of interim financial information consists
principally of applying analytical procedures to financial data and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit
conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not
express such an opinion.
Based
on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the financial statements referred to above for them to be in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.
We
have previously audited, in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, the consolidated financial statements of UnitedHealth Group and Subsidiaries as of and for the
year-ended December 31, 1998 (not presented herein), and, in our report dated February 18, 1999, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those statements. In our opinion, the information
set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 1998, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which
it has been derived.
Minneapolis,
Minnesota,
November 3, 1999
UNITEDHEALTH GROUP
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion should be read together with the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and notes. In addition, the following
discussion should be considered in light of a number of factors that affect the Company, the industry in which we operate, and business generally. These factors are described in Exhibit 99 to
this Quarterly Report.
Third Quarter 1999 Financial Performance Highlights
Summary highlights of our third quarter 1999 results include:
-
- Earnings
per share were $0.81, an increase of 23% from $0.66 per share reported in the third quarter of 1998 and up $0.05 per share, or 7%, sequentially
over the second quarter of 1999.
-
- Consolidated
revenues increased 12% over the third quarter of 1998 to $4.9 billion, reflecting strong and balanced growth across all business
segments.
-
- Operating
earnings increased to $239 million, up $25 million, or 12% year-over-year and $14 million or 6% sequentially. Operating
earnings, excluding investment income, increased to $185 million, up $34 million, or 23% year-over-year and $13 million, or 8% sequentially. Overall operating margin increased 30 basis points
sequentially from 4.6% in the second quarter of 1999 to 4.9% in the third quarter.
-
- Cash
flows from operations were $695 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 1999, an increase of $262 million, or 61%,
over 1998 levels.
-
- Net
earnings applicable to common shareholders increased to $144 million during the third quarter of 1999, an increase of 13% over the same period
in 1998.
-
- We
repurchased an additional 3.3 million shares of our common stock during the third quarter, bringing our total shares repurchased since inception
of our stock repurchase activities in November 1997 to 26.8 million shares through September 30, 1999.
Summary Operating Information
|
|
Three months ended
September 30, 1999
|
|
Nine months ended
September 30, 1999
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1998
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percent Change
|
|
|
|
Percent Change(b)
|
|
|
1999
|
|
1998
|
|
1999
|
|
Reported
|
|
Adjusted(a)
|
Total Revenues |
|
$ |
4,903 |
|
$ |
4,360 |
|
12% |
|
$ |
14,570 |
|
$ |
12,710 |
|
$ |
12,710 |
|
15% |
Earnings (Loss) from Operations |
|
$ |
239 |
|
$ |
214 |
|
12% |
|
$ |
685 |
|
$ |
(256 |
) |
$ |
644 |
|
6% |
Net Earnings (Loss) Applicable to Common Shareholders |
|
$ |
144 |
|
$ |
128 |
|
13% |
|
$ |
411 |
|
$ |
(320 |
) |
$ |
384 |
|
7% |
Net Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share, Assuming Dilution |
|
$ |
0.81 |
|
$ |
0.66 |
|
23% |
|
$ |
2.29 |
|
$ |
(1.67 |
) |
$ |
1.96 |
|
17% |
Medical Costs to Premium Revenues |
|
|
85.6% |
|
|
86.0% |
|
|
|
|
85.8% |
|
|
87.6% |
|
|
86.0% |
|
|
Medical Costs to Premium Revenues, Excluding AARP |
|
|
84.1% |
|
|
84.3% |
|
|
|
|
84.3% |
|
|
86.3% |
|
|
84.3% |
|
|
SG&A Expenses to Total Revenues |
|
|
17.0% |
|
|
17.2% |
|
|
|
|
17.0% |
|
|
17.0% |
|
|
17.0% |
|
|
- (a)
- Excludes
the effects of $725 million of operational realignment and other charges, and $175 million of charges related to contract losses associated with certain
Medicare markets and other increases to commercial and Medicare medical costs payable estimates.
- (b)
- Calculated
as percentage change between 1999 results and 1998 results, as adjusted.
The
following table summarizes people served by product and funding arrangement as of September 30 (in thousands):
|
|
1999(a)
|
|
1998
|
|
Increase
(Decrease)
|
|
UnitedHealthcare |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Risk-Based: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Health Plans |
|
5,202 |
|
4,843 |
|
7 |
% |
Other Network-Based and Indemnity |
|
489 |
|
542 |
|
(10 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Risk Based |
|
5,691 |
|
5,385 |
|
6 |
% |
Fee-Based |
|
1,846 |
|
1,637 |
|
13 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Commercial |
|
7,537 |
|
7,022 |
|
7 |
% |
Medicare |
|
444 |
|
442 |
|
|
% |
Medicaid |
|
608 |
|
509 |
|
19 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total UnitedHealthcare |
|
8,589 |
|
7,973 |
|
8 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Uniprise: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Risk-Based |
|
214 |
|
256 |
|
(16 |
)% |
Fee-Based |
|
5,719 |
|
5,130 |
|
11 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Uniprise |
|
5,933 |
|
5,386 |
|
10 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total people served, excluding Ovations |
|
14,522 |
|
13,359 |
|
9 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- (a)
- Includes
the 338,000 commercial, 25,000 Medicare, and 121,000 Medicaid people served by HealthPartners of Arizona, acquired in October 1998.
Results of Operations
Consolidated Financial Results
Revenues
Our
revenues are comprised of: 1) premium revenues associated with our risk-based products (those where we assume financial responsibility for health care costs); 2) management
services and fees associated with administrative services and fees associated with administrative services only customers, managed health plans, and our Specialized Care Services and Ingenix
businesses; and 3) investment and other income. The following is a discussion of consolidated revenue trends for each of our three components.
Premium revenues in the third quarter of 1999 totaled $4,405 million, an increase of $507 million, or 13%, over the third quarter of 1998. For
the nine months ended September 30, 1999, premium revenues of $13,095 million increased $1,742 million, or 15%, over the same period in 1998. These increases were primarily driven
by UnitedHealthcare's 7% year-over-year increase in commercial risk-based membership and average year-over-year premium yield increases on commercial groups exceeding 8%.
Management services and fee revenues during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 1999 totaled $444 million and
$1,311 million, representing increases of $45 million and $139 million, respectively, over the same periods in 1998. The overall increase in management services and fee revenues
is primarily the result of strong growth in Uniprise's multi-site customer base and modest price increases in fee business. Additionally, acquisitions and growth from our Ingenix business contributed
to the increase in management services and fees.
Investment and other income during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 1999 totaled $54 and $164 million, representing decreases
of $9 million and $21 million, respectively, from the same periods in 1998. These decreases are primarily attributable to a decrease in net capital gains from
the sale of investments and decreases in cash and investments, and associated investment income, resulting from our stock repurchase activities. Net capital gains (losses) were $(2) million and
$0, respectively, during the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 1999, compared with $7 million and $19 million during the same periods in 1998.
Operating Costs
The combination of our pricing strategy and medical management efforts is reflected in the medical care ratio (medical costs as a percentage of premium
revenues). The following table summarizes our consolidated medical care ratios for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30:
|
|
Three months ended
September 30,
|
|
Nine months ended
September 30,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1998
|
|
|
1999
|
|
1998
|
|
1999
|
|
Reported
|
|
Adjusted(a)
|
Consolidated UnitedHealth Group |
|
85.6% |
|
86.0% |
|
85.8% |
|
87.6% |
|
86.0% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated, excluding AARP |
|
84.1% |
|
84.3% |
|
84.3% |
|
86.3% |
|
84.3% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- (a)
- Excludes
the effects of $175 million of contract losses associated with certain Medicare markets and other increases to commercial and Medicare medical costs payable
estimates.
Our
consolidated medical care ratio decreased from 86.0% in the third quarter of 1998 to 85.6% in the third quarter of 1999. Excluding the AARP business, on a year-over-year basis,
the medical care ratio decreased twenty basis points to 84.1%. On a sequential basis, our medical care ratio, excluding AARP, remained flat at 84.1%. The decreases in our year-over-year medical care
ratios are primarily attributable to commercial premium yield increases in excess of underlying medical cost increases.
On
an absolute dollar basis, the increase of $415 million, or 12%, in medical costs in the third quarter of 1999 over the comparable prior year period is largely commensurate
with the 13% growth in premium revenues. During the first nine months of 1999, we estimate our aggregate medical cost inflation trend was 4.5% to 5.5% compared with the full-year 1998 medical
cost inflation trend of approximately 4%. We are now pricing renewal commercial business with 8% or higher net premium yield increases, while our projected medical cost inflation trend for 2000 is 5%
to 6%.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of total revenues (the SG&A ratio) decreased slightly from 17.2% during the third quarter of 1998 to
17.0% during the third quarter of 1999. For the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 1999, selling, general and administrative expenses increased $85 million and
$312 million, or 11% and 14%, respectively over the comparable periods in 1998. These increases reflect the additional costs to support the corresponding 15% increase in
consolidated revenues in 1999, as well incremental operating expenses related to core process improvement initiatives and platform system conversions.
Business Segments
The following summarizes the operating results of our business segments for three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30 (in millions):
Revenues
|
|
Three months ended
September 30,
|
|
Nine months ended
September 30,
|
|
|
1999
|
|
1998
|
|
Percent Change
|
|
1999
|
|
1998
|
|
Percent Change
|
Health Care Services |
|
$ |
4,402 |
|
$ |
3,907 |
|
13% |
|
$ |
13,127 |
|
$ |
11,408 |
|
15% |
Uniprise |
|
|
466 |
|
|
415 |
|
12% |
|
|
1,387 |
|
|
1,204 |
|
15% |
Specialized Care Services |
|
|
191 |
|
|
158 |
|
21% |
|
|
532 |
|
|
457 |
|
16% |
Ingenix |
|
|
64 |
|
|
40 |
|
60% |
|
|
171 |
|
|
118 |
|
45% |
Corporate and Eliminations |
|
|
(220 |
) |
|
(160 |
) |
n/a |
|
|
(647 |
) |
|
(477 |
) |
n/a |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated Revenues |
|
$ |
4,903 |
|
$ |
4,360 |
|
12% |
|
$ |
14,570 |
|
$ |
12,710 |
|
15% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings (loss) from Operations
|
|
Three months ended September 30,
|
|
Nine months ended
September 30,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1998
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percent Change
|
|
|
|
Percent Change(b)
|
|
|
1999
|
|
1998
|
|
1999
|
|
Reported
|
|
Adjusted(a)
|
Health Care Services |
|
$ |
140 |
|
$ |
133 |
|
5% |
|
$ |
420 |
|
$ |
(178 |
) |
$ |
371 |
|
13% |
Uniprise |
|
|
57 |
|
|
33 |
|
73% |
|
|
167 |
|
|
(29 |
) |
|
122 |
|
37% |
Specialized Care Services |
|
|
32 |
|
|
24 |
|
33% |
|
|
91 |
|
|
(16 |
) |
|
79 |
|
15% |
Ingenix |
|
|
10 |
|
|
9 |
|
11% |
|
|
14 |
|
|
(75 |
) |
|
11 |
|
27% |
Corporate |
|
|
|
|
|
15 |
|
n/a |
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
42 |
|
|
61 |
|
n/a |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated Earnings (Loss) from Operations |
|
$ |
239 |
|
$ |
214 |
|
12% |
|
$ |
685 |
|
$ |
(256 |
) |
$ |
644 |
|
6% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- (a)
- Excludes
$725 million of operational realignment and other charges and $175 million of charges related to contract losses associated with certain Medicare markets and other
increases to commercial and Medicare medical costs payable estimates.
- (b)
- Calculated
as percentage change between 1999 results and 1998 results, as adjusted.
Health Care Services
The Health Care Services segment, comprised of UnitedHealthcare and Ovations, posted record revenues of $4,402 million, representing an increase of $495
million, or 13%, over the third quarter of 1998. For the nine months ended September 30, 1999, Health Care Services revenues grew to $13,127 million, an increase of
$1,719 million, or 15%, over the same period in 1998. UnitedHealthcare increased its commercial enrollment by 7% and realized average net premium yield increases of over 8%.
Our
year-over-year Medicare enrollment at September 30, 1999, remained relatively flat, and we expect this trend to continue through the remainder of 1999. Effective
January 1, 1999, we withdrew Medicare+Choice product offerings from 86 counties, affecting approximately 60,000, or 12% of our
Medicare members as of December 31, 1998. On July 1, 1999, we announced plans for withdrawal from the Medicare+Choice product program in another 49 counties affecting 40,000 existing
members, as well as the filing of significant benefit adjustments, effective January 1, 2000. Annual revenues for 1999 from the Medicare markets we are exiting, effective January 1,
2000, are expected to be approximately $230 million. These actions are expected to further reduce the Company's enrollment, but better position this program in the long-term in terms of profitability
relative to its cost of capital and required resource management. We will continue to evaluate the markets we serve and, where necessary, we will alter benefit designs and claim management activities.
These actions may result in further withdrawals of Medicare product offerings or reductions in membership.
The
Health Care Services segment contributed earnings from operations of $140 million and $420 million during the three and nine month periods ended September 30,
1999, representing increases of $7 million, or 5%, and $49 million, or 13%, over the comparable 1998 periods (before 1998 special operating charges). The increases in earnings are
primarily attributable to enrollment growth, commercial premium yield increases, and expense management initiatives.
UnitedHealthcare's
third quarter and year to date commercial medical care ratios have improved on a year-over-year basis, driven by net premium yield increases in excess of underlying
medical costs. UnitedHealthcare's Medicare medical care ratio increased in the third quarter of 1999 when compared to the same period in 1998. The third quarter 1998 Medicare medical care ratio
benefited from the utilization of loss contract accruals that were recorded during the second quarter of 1998. Excluding loss contract reserve utilization, the third quarter 1998 Medicare medical care
ratio was 91.9%. The following table summarizes UnitedHealthcare's medical care ratios by product line for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30.
|
|
Three months ended
September 30,
|
|
Nine months ended
September 30,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1998
|
|
|
1999
|
|
1998
|
|
1999
|
|
Reported
|
|
Adjusted(a)
|
UnitedHealthcare: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial |
|
84.8% |
|
85.2% |
|
84.7% |
|
85.9% |
|
85.0% |
Medicare |
|
89.5% |
|
85.6% |
|
89.3% |
|
93.9% |
|
86.9% |
Medicaid |
|
86.0% |
|
87.9% |
|
86.1% |
|
83.8% |
|
83.8% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total UnitedHealthcare |
|
85.8% |
|
85.5% |
|
85.7% |
|
87.4% |
|
85.3% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- (a)
- Excludes
the effects of $175 million of contract losses associated with certain Medicare markets and other increases to commercial and Medicare medical costs payable
estimates.
Uniprise's revenues increased by $51 million, or 12%, over the third quarter of 1998 driven primarily by continued growth in its large multi-site
customer base and modest price increases on fee-based business. For the nine months ended September 30, 1999, Uniprise's revenues grew to $1,387 million, an increase of
$183 million, or 15%, over the same period in 1998. Uniprise's earnings from operations grew by $45 million, or 37%, over the same period in 1998 as a result of the increased revenues
and reduced operating costs as a percentage of revenues, driven by ongoing process improvement initiatives.
Specialized Care Services revenues increased by $33 million, or 21%, over the third quarter of 1998. This increase was primarily driven by an increase
in the number of individuals served by United Behavioral Health, our mental health and substance abuse business, and the acquisition of Dental Benefit Providers,
Inc. in June 1999. For the nine months ended September 30, 1999, Specialized Care Services revenues grew to $532 million, an increase of $75 million, or 16%, over
the same period in 1998. Earnings from operations of $32 million increased by 33% compared with the third quarter of 1998.
For the three months ended September 30, 1999, revenues increased by $24 million, or 60% over the comparable prior year period, primarily
as a result of acquisitions since September 1998. For the nine months ended September 30, 1999, Ingenix's revenues grew to $171 million, an increase of $53 million, or 45%,
over the same period in 1998. Earnings from operations for the nine months ended September 30, 1999 of $14 million increased by 21% compared with the same period in 1998.
Corporate includes investment income derived from cash and investments not assigned to operating segments and the company-wide costs associated with core
process improvement initiatives. The year-over-year decrease in Corporate earnings for both the three and nine month periods is attributable to a decline in the level of unassigned cash and
investments, and associated investment income, primarily resulting from common stock repurchases, and incremental 1999 core process improvement costs.
Operational Realignment and Other Charges
In conjunction with our operational realignment initiatives, we developed and, in the second quarter of 1998, approved a comprehensive plan (the Plan) to
implement our operational realignment. We recognized corresponding charges to operations of $725 million in the second quarter of 1998, which reflected the estimated costs to be incurred under
the Plan. The charges included costs associated with asset impairments; employee terminations; disposing of or discontinuing business units, product lines, and contracts; and consolidating and
eliminating certain claims processing operations and associated real estate obligations.
The
asset impairments consisted principally of purchased in-process research and development associated with our acquisition of Medicode, Inc. and goodwill and other long-lived assets
including fixed assets, computer hardware and software and leasehold improvements associated with businesses we intend to dispose of or markets where we plan to curtail our operations or change our
operating presence, and other realignment initiatives. Activities associated with the Plan will result in the reduction of approximately 5,200 positions, affecting approximately 6,400 people in
various locations. Through September 30, 1999, we have eliminated approximately 3,300 positions pursuant to the Plan. The remaining positions will be eliminated by December 31, 2000.
In
August 1999, we completed the sale of our managed workers' compensation business. During the second half of 1998 and the first half of 1999, we also completed the sale of
our medical provider clinics and the reconfiguration of our small group insurance business and a non-strategic health plan market. The balances accrued in our operational realignment and other charges
were sufficient to cover actual costs associated with the disposition and reconfiguration of these businesses.
Remaining
markets where we plan to curtail or make changes to our operating presence include two health plan markets that are in non-strategic markets. In Puerto Rico, we expect to
complete the sale of this business prior to April 30, 2000. In the Pacific Coast markets, we will be exiting our operations related to small and mid-sized customer groups. We believe the
balances accrued in our operational realignment and other charges will be sufficient to cover expenses incurred in the sale and exit of these markets.
Our
accompanying financial statements include the operating results of businesses and markets to be disposed of or discontinued in connection with the operational realignment. The
carrying value of the net assets held for sale or disposal is approximately $20 million as of September 30, 1999. Our accompanying
Consolidated Statements of Operations include revenues and operating losses from businesses disposed of or to be disposed, and markets we plan to exit, for the three and nine month periods ended
September 30 as follows (in millions):
|
|
Three months ended September 30,
|
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
1999
|
|
1998
|
|
1999
|
|
1998
|
|
Revenues |
|
$ |
137 |
|
$ |
246 |
|
$ |
569 |
|
$ |
722 |
|
Operating loss before income taxes |
|
$ |
(9 |
) |
$ |
(1 |
) |
$ |
(33 |
) |
$ |
(25 |
) |
The
table above does not include operating results from the counties where we withdrew our Medicare product offerings, effective January 1, 1999, and where we will be
withdrawing our Medicare product offerings, effective January 1, 2000. Annual revenues for 1998 for Medicare counties we exited in January 1999 were approximately $225 million. Annual revenues
for 1999 from the Medicare counties we are exiting in January 2000 are expected to be approximately $230 million.
The
following is a roll-forward of accrued operational realignment and other charges through September 30, 1999 (in millions):
|
|
Asset Impairments
|
|
Severance and Outplacement Costs
|
|
Noncancelable Lease Obligations
|
|
Disposition of Businesses and Other Costs
|
|
Total
|
|
Balance at December 31, 1997 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Provision for Operational Realignment and Other Charges |
|
|
430 |
|
|
142 |
|
|
82 |
|
|
71 |
|
|
725 |
|
Additional Charges/(Credits) |
|
|
21 |
|
|
(20 |
) |
|
(9 |
) |
|
8 |
|
|
|
|
Cash Payments |
|
|
|
|
|
(19 |
) |
|
(6 |
) |
|
(13 |
) |
|
(38 |
) |
Non-cash Charges |
|
|
(451 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(451 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 1998 |
|
|
|
|
|
103 |
|
|
67 |
|
|
66 |
|
|
236 |
|
Cash Payments |
|
|
|
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
(2 |
) |
|
(14 |
) |
|
(25 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at March 31, 1999 |
|
|
|
|
|
94 |
|
|
65 |
|
|
52 |
|
|
211 |
|
Additional Charges/(Credits) |
|
|
|
|
|
(22 |
) |
|
13 |
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
|
Cash Payments |
|
|
|
|
|
(15 |
) |
|
(6 |
) |
|
(22 |
) |
|
(43 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at June 30, 1999 |
|
|
|
|
|
57 |
|
|
72 |
|
|
39 |
|
|
168 |
|
Cash Payments |
|
|
|
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
(3 |
) |
|
(4 |
) |
|
(17 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at September 30, 1999 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
47 |
|
$ |
69 |
|
$ |
35 |
|
$ |
151 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In
regard to the purchased research and development, as of the date of our December 1997 acquisition, Medicode had invested approximately $8.5 million in in-process
research and development projects. An additional $5.0 million was expended through September 30, 1999, at which time all projects that were in in-process as of the acquisition date were
complete.
The
operational realignment and other charges do not cover certain aspects of the Plan, including new information systems, data conversions, process re-engineering, and employee
relocation and training. These costs will be charged to expense as incurred or capitalized, as appropriate. During the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 1999, we incurred
expenses of approximately $12 million and $46 million, respectively, related to these activities.
The
original operational realignment plan provided for substantial completion in 1999. We continue to implement our original realignment plan, however, some initiatives including the
consolidation of certain claims and administrative processing functions and certain divestitures and market realignment activities, are requiring additional time to complete and, accordingly, will
extend into the year 2000. Based on current facts and circumstances, we believe the remaining realignment reserve is adequate to cover the costs to be incurred in executing the remainder of the Plan.
However, as we proceed with the execution of the Plan and more current information becomes available, it may be necessary to adjust our estimates for severance, lease obligations on exited facilities,
and losses on businesses held for disposal.
Financial Condition and Liquidity at September 30, 1999
During the first nine months of 1999, we generated cash from operations of $695 million. We continued to maintain a strong financial condition and
liquidity position, with cash and investments of $4.2 billion at September 30, 1999.
As
further described under "Regulatory Capital and Dividend Restrictions," many of our subsidiaries are subject to various government regulations. After taking into account these
regulations, approximately $145 million of our $4.2 billion of cash and investments at September 30, 1999 was available for general corporate use, including working capital needs.
At
September 30, 1999, outstanding debt consists of a $400 million unsecured note due December 1999 and a $250 million unsecured note due
December 2003. The repayment of the $400 million unsecured note due in December 1999 will be financed with the two-year floating rate note and commercial paper issued in
October and November, as described below.
During
October and November 1999, we issued commercial paper and, as of November 11, 1999, we had $612 million outstanding, with interest rates ranging from 5.5%
to 6.3%.
In
November 1999, we also issued a $150 million two-year floating rate note. The interest rate for the initial three month period is 6.65%.
In
August 1999, we increased our commercial paper program and our supporting credit arrangement with a group of banks to an aggregate of $900 million. The supporting
credit arrangement is comprised of a $300 million revolving credit facility, expiring in 2003, and a $600 million 364-day facility, expiring in August 2000. We also have the
capacity to issue approximately $150 million of extendible commercial notes (ECN's). At September 30, 1999, we had no borrowings outstanding under our commercial paper program,
supporting credit facilities, or ECN's.
The
aggregate initial public offering price of all securities covered by shelf registration statements for common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, and other securities is
$1.25 billion. The Company may publicly offer such securities from time to time at prices and terms to be determined at the time of offering.
The
Company's debt arrangements and credit facilities contain various covenants, the most restrictive of which place limitations on secured and unsecured borrowings and require the
Company to exceed minimum interest coverage levels. We are in compliance with the requirements of all debt covenants.
Our
senior debt is rated "A" by Standard & Poors and Duff & Phelps, and "A3" by Moody's. Our commercial paper and ECN's are rated "A-1" by Standard & Poors, "D-1"
by Duff & Phelps, and "P-2" by Moody's.
In
the second quarter of 1998, we recognized special charges to operations of $725 million associated with the implementation of our operational realignment plan. We believe
our remaining after-tax cash outlay associated with these charges will be approximately $80 to $100 million over the next 12 months.
During
the third quarter of 1999, we repurchased an additional 3.3 million shares of common stock for $188 million, bringing our total shares repurchased since inception
of our stock repurchase activities through September 30, 1999, to 26.8 million shares for approximately $1.2 billion. During the nine months ended September 30, 1999, we
repurchased 15.4 million shares for an aggregate $774 million. On October 27, 1999, we announced a new Stock Repurchase Program under which up to 10% of the Company's common stock may be
repurchased, approximately 17.1 million shares.
We
expect our available cash and investment resources, operating cash flows, and financing capability to be sufficient to meet our current operating requirements and other corporate
development initiatives. A substantial portion of our long-term investments, $3.0 billion as of September 30, 1999, are classified as available for sale. These investments are
periodically sold prior to their maturity to fund working capital or for other purposes.
Currently,
we do not have any other material definitive commitments that require cash resources; however, we continually evaluate opportunities to expand our operations. This includes
internal development of new products and programs and may include acquisitions.
Government Regulation
Our primary business, offering health care coverage and health care management services, is heavily regulated at the federal and state levels. We strive to
comply in all respects with applicable regulations and may need to make changes from time to time in our services, products, marketing methods or organizational or capital structure.
Regulatory
agencies generally have broad discretion to issue regulations and interpret and enforce laws and rules. Changes in applicable laws and regulations are continually being
considered, and the interpretation of existing laws and rules also may change from time to time. These changes could affect our operations and financial results.
Changes
in the Medicare and Medicaid programs could limit available reimbursement in those programs, with adverse affects on our financial results. Also, it could be more difficult
for us to control medical costs if federal and state bodies continue to consider and enact significant and onerous managed care laws and regulations which dictate our benefit offerings and limit the
use of medical management techniques. Among the legislative proposals, including "Patients Bill of Rights" proposals adopted in two separate versions by the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of
Representatives, are provisions that could expand health plan liability, allow physicians to determine medical coverage, without regard to health plan contract language, and establish rules for
safeguarding private health information. These proposals, if enacted, could lead to increased medical and administrative expenses.
The
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) may represent the most significant federal reform of employee benefit law since the enactment of the Employee
Retirement
Income Security Act (ERISA) in 1974. Significant provisions of HIPAA include guaranteeing the availability of health insurance for certain employees, limiting the use of preexisting condition
exclusions, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of health status, and making it easier to continue coverage in cases where a person is terminated or changes employers. Under HIPAA and other
similar state laws, medical cost control through amended provider contracts and improved preventive and chronic care management may become more important. We believe our experience in these areas will
allow us to compete effectively.
A
comprehensive set of claims regulations has been proposed by the United States Department of Labor (DOL) that could have a significant impact on the Company. These regulations are
applicable to employee benefit plans subject to ERISA. In addition to various other requirements, the regulations would create new time frames for processing claims and giving notification of
incomplete claims, would impose certain notification requirements following a claim determination, and would impose certain post-appeal disclosure obligations on the Company's insured and self-funded
business. The DOL has solicited public
comment on the proposed rules, and the final regulations, if adopted, could vary significantly from the initial draft.
The
United States Department of Health and Human Services has issued proposed rules for public comment on medical records confidentiality (non-identifiable data is exempt). The
proposed rules apply to health plans, providers, and health care clearinghouses, and these entities are responsible for enforcing compliance with business partners. The proposed rules would require
new resource expenditures, including notification and documentation of Company privacy safeguards, establishment of a Company privacy officer and, when requested, a listing of all disclosures not
related to treatment, payment or health plan operations. Health plan marketing efforts and other Company endeavors using protected health information could be curtailed by the member authorization
requirements. Once finalized, the rules would not become effective until February 2002 at the earliest.
Health
care fraud and abuse has become a top priority for the nation's law enforcement entities, which have focused on participants in federal government health care programs such as
Medicare, Medicaid and the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP). We participate extensively in these programs.
We
also are subject to governmental investigations and enforcement actions. Included are actions relating to ERISA, which regulates insured and self-funded health coverage plans
offered by employers; the FEHBP; federal and state fraud and abuse laws; and laws relating to care management and health care delivery. Government actions could result in assessment of damages, civil
or criminal fines or penalties, or other sanctions, including exclusion from participation in government programs. We currently are involved in various government investigations and audits, but we do
not believe the results will have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.
Inflation
Although the general rate of inflation has remained relatively stable and health care cost inflation has stabilized in recent years, the national health
care cost inflation rate still exceeds the general inflation rate. We use various strategies to mitigate the negative effects of health care cost inflation, including setting commercial premiums based
on anticipated health care costs, care coordination with various health care providers, and other health care cost containment measures. Specifically, health plans try to control medical and hospital
costs through contracts with independent providers of health care services.
Through these contracted care providers, our health plans emphasize preventive health care and appropriate use of specialty and hospital services.
While
we currently believe our strategies to mitigate health care cost inflation will continue to be successful, competitive pressures, new health care product introductions, demands
from health care providers and customers, applicable regulations or other factors may affect our ability to control the impact of health care cost increases. In addition, certain non-network-based
products do not have health care cost containment measures similar to those in place for network-based products. As a result, there is added health care cost inflation risk with these products, which
comprise approximately 10% of our consolidated risk-based membership.
Year 2000 Activities
Our business depends significantly on effective information systems, and we have many different information systems for our various businesses. Our information
systems require on-going enhancements to keep pace with the continuing changes in information technology, evolving industry standards, and customer preferences. We have modified our computer systems
to accommodate the "Year 2000." The "Year 2000" problem exists throughout the global marketplace as many computer systems and applications were developed to recognize the year as a two-digit number,
with the digits "00" being recognized as the year 1900.
Starting
in 1995, our formal Year 2000 Project Office began implementing a remediation plan to ensure that critical information systems applications, end-user developed application
tools, and critical business interfaces remain intact, and can function properly through the century change. We have successfully completed, tested, and certified our mission critical Year 2000
remediation efforts as of September 30, 1999. A more detailed description and current status of our mission critical Year 2000 activities follows.
Mainframe Technology. In conjunction with our two vendors that provide support for our data center operations, we have completed, tested and
certified 100% of our remediation efforts for the hardware, and operating systems on our two primary mainframe computer systems. We are also at compliant version levels for all of our supporting
software at both data centers. In addition, we have made modifications to some of our smaller mainframe systems to make them compliant. We also installed separate test environments (both mainframe and
distributed) to test our business applications in a simulated Year 2000 environment.
Desktop Hardware & Software. We have inventoried all of our desktop hardware and software, over 40,000 computing
devices of multiple makes and models. All non-compliant desktop hardware and software have been identified, modified or replaced with compliant systems as necessary. As of September 30, 1999,
we are 100% compliant with our desktop hardware and software systems, pending localized application sunset efforts.
Telecommunications. We have inventoried our entire system of over 28,000 telecommunication devices, including traffic
routers and phone switches. We have used two outside vendors to assist us in modifying or replacing non-compliant telecommunication systems. Our data network is 100% compliant. Our voice network is
also compliant as of September 30, 1999, with the exception of one site pending a remediation schedule due to a recently negotiated contract with an alternate vendor. This site will be made
compliant before December 31, 1999.
Software Applications. We use approximately 500 different software applications that include over 80 million lines of computer code. We
have surveyed our software applications and have identified systems that will not be used after December 31, 1999, and systems that will be modified for Year 2000 compliance. We have determined
that 33% of our software applications will not be used after December 31, 1999 due to conversions, consolidations and software replacements. Of the remaining applications, 100% have been made
Year 2000 compliant, tested and certified or are scheduled to be certified. All mission critical Year 2000 software modifications were completed by March 31, 1999, with further testing and
certification during the remainder of 1999.
End-User Developed Applications. End-user developed applications are analysis tools that have been internally developed
by individual employees or operating segments primarily running on personal computers or client servers. The Year 2000 Project Office has continuously communicated with all employees explaining the
risks of non-compliant applications and provided tools and techniques to make them compliant. We have identified, tracked and assessed Year 2000 compliance issues with respect to all potentially
critical end-user applications. We are 100% complete with respect to this effort.
Non-Information Technology Systems. We have approximately 300 owned or leased facilities throughout the world. We have contacted all of our
facility managers regarding Year 2000 compliance issues. In addition, we have contracted with a real estate management company to assist in our Year 2000
compliance efforts. All mission critical facilities are currently Year 2000 compliant, or compliant with a work-around process.
Dependence on Third Parties. We have a contractual relationship with approximately 300,000 different medical providers
and over 92,000 vendors. Over 2,000 vendors have been identified as critical business partners and suppliers. We continue to communicate with these critical business partners to analyze and confirm
their Year 2000 compliance efforts. We have completed our analysis of corporate critical vendor readiness and continue to identify alternative vendors, where necessary. Individual business units will
continue to proactively communicate with their vendors to confirm continued compliance and Year 2000 readiness. We will continue to distribute Year 2000 educational materials to our medical providers
with whom we conduct business. Additionally, we have tested and verified the electronic collection of data with selected providers through our EDI (electronic data interface) clearinghouse vendors.
Costs of Year 2000 Compliance. The projected costs of our Year 2000 compliance efforts and the date on which we plan to
complete the necessary Year 2000 remediation efforts are based on management's best estimates, which were derived utilizing various assumptions of future events. However, there can be no guarantee
that these estimates will be achieved and actual results could differ significantly from our current plans. Specific factors that might cause significant differences include, but are not limited to,
the availability and cost of personnel trained in this area, the ability to locate and correct the relevant computer codes, and the ability of our significant vendors, providers, customers and others
with which we conduct business to identify and resolve their own Year 2000 issues.
Costs
associated with modifying internal use software for Year 2000 compliance are charged to expense as incurred. Purchases of hardware or software that replace existing hardware or
software that is not Year 2000 compliant are capitalized and amortized over their useful lives. As of September 30, 1999,
our historical and projected costs to complete our Year 2000 remediation plan are as follows (amounts in millions):
|
|
Cost Incurred to Date
|
|
Projected Costs
|
|
|
Year
|
|
|
|
Resources
|
|
Amortization
|
|
Resources
|
|
Amortization
|
|
Total
|
1996 |
|
$ |
1 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
1 |
1997 |
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12 |
1998 |
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18 |
1999 |
|
|
12 |
|
|
5 |
|
|
2 |
|
|
2 |
|
|
21 |
2000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
9 |
|
|
12 |
2001 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
9 |
2002 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
43 |
|
$ |
5 |
|
$ |
5 |
|
$ |
22 |
|
$ |
75 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Business Risks of Non-compliant Systems. Although we are committed to completing and testing our remediation plan well
in advance of the Year 2000, there are risks if we do not meet our objectives by December 31, 1999. Operationally, the most severe risk is business interruption. Specific examples of situations
that could cause business interruption include, but are not limited to 1) computer hardware or application software processing errors or failures, 2) facilities or infrastructure failures, or 3)
critical outside providers, suppliers, or customers who may not be Year 2000 compliant. Depending on the extent and duration of business interruption resulting from non-compliant Year 2000 systems,
such
interruption may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, liquidity, and financial condition.
Contingency Plans. Each mission critical area of our Year 2000 compliance effort has developed contingency plans to
mitigate the risk of failure, and to provide for a speedy recovery from possible failures associated with the century change. The contingency plans detail strategies to implement in 1999 to prepare
for the century rollover, and actions to execute if problems arise. Contingency plans have been
reviewed for consistency and completeness. These plans have been incorporated into the year end plans and will be retained for reference in the Year 2000 Event Center.
Regulatory Capital and Dividend Restrictions
The Company's operations are conducted through United HealthCare Corporation, its wholly-owned subsidiary United HealthCare Services, Inc. and their respective
subsidiaries, which consist principally of Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) and insurance companies. HMOs and insurance companies are subject to state regulations that, among other things, may
require the maintenance of minimum levels of statutory capital, as defined by each state, and restrict the timing and amount of dividends and other distributions that may be paid to their respective
parent companies. Generally, the amount of dividend distributions that may be paid by regulated insurance and HMO companies, without prior approval by state regulatory authorities, is limited based on
the entity's level of statutory net income and statutory capital and surplus.
As
of September 30, 1999, the Company's regulated subsidiaries had aggregate statutory capital and surplus of approximately $1.3 billion, compared with their aggregate
minimum statutory capital and surplus requirements of approximately $500 million.
The
National Association of Insurance Commissioners has adopted rules which, to the extent that they are implemented by the states, will set new minimum capitalization requirements
for insurance companies, HMOs and other entities bearing risk for health care coverage. The requirements take the form of risk-based capital rules. The change in rules for insurance companies was
effective December 31, 1998. The new HMO rules are subject to state-by-state adoption, but few states had adopted the rules as of September 30, 1999. The HMO rules, if adopted by the
states in their proposed form, would significantly increase the capital required for certain of our subsidiaries. However, we believe we can redeploy capital among our regulated entities to minimize
the need for incremental capital investment of general corporate financial resources into regulated subsidiaries. As such, we do not anticipate a significant impact on our aggregate capital or
investments in regulated subsidiaries.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Investments in financial instruments such as marketable securities and commercial premiums receivable may subject UnitedHealth Group to concentrations of
credit risk. Our investments in marketable securities are managed by professional investment managers within an investment policy authorized by the board of directors. This policy limits the amounts
that may be invested in any one issuer. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to commercial premiums receivable are limited to the large number of employer groups that comprise our customer base.
As of September 30, 1999, there were no significant concentrations of credit risk.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Since the date of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended by our Form 10-K/A, for the year ended December, 31, 1998, a change has
occurred in the company's exposure to market risk associated with the Company's investments in equity securities.
We
own approximately nine million shares of Healtheon Corporation (Healtheon) common stock. With Healtheon's recent public stock offering in February 1999 and subsequent
increases to the fair value of Healtheon's stock, we have recorded a $318 million unrealized gain, or $201 million, net of income tax effects, in shareholders' equity as of
September 30, 1999. Assuming an immediate decrease of 25% in Healtheon's stock price, the hypothetical reduction in shareholders' equity related to these holdings is estimated to be
$50 million (net of income tax effects), or 1% of total shareholders' equity at September 30, 1999. We do not believe that our risks of loss in future earnings or a decline in fair
values attributable to our investment portfolio are material to our consolidated financial position or results of operations.
UNITEDHEALTH GROUP
Part II. Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Because of the nature of its business, UnitedHealth Group is subject to suits which allege failures to provide or pay for health care or other benefits, poor
outcomes for care delivered or arranged under UnitedHealth Group's programs, impermissible nonacceptance or termination of providers, failures to return withheld amounts from provider compensation,
failures to pay benefits by a self-funded plan serviced by UnitedHealth Group, improper copayment calculations and other allegations. Some of these suits may include claims for substantial
non-economic or punitive damages. UnitedHealth Group does not believe that any such actions, or any other types of actions, currently threatened or pending will, individually or in the aggregate, have
a material adverse effect on UnitedHealth Group's financial position or results of operations. However, the likelihood or outcome of current or future suits cannot be accurately predicted, and they
could adversely affect UnitedHealth Group's financial results.
Six
suits assert claims under the United States securities laws against UnitedHealth Group and certain of its current and former officers and directors. The plaintiffs are
stockholders of UnitedHealth Group who purport to sue on behalf of a class of purchasers of common shares of UnitedHealth Group during the period February 12, 1998 through August 5, 1998
(the Class Period). Each complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota. Each of the six actions claims violations of Sections 10(b) and
20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act and SEC Rule 10b-5. In substance, the complaints allege that UnitedHealth Group made materially false or misleading statements about the profitability and
performance of the Company's Medicare business during the Class Period. Two of the complaints also allege that the Company made materially false statements about its medical costs and the
expenses related to the Company's realignment. The complaints also allege that the statements were made with the intention of deceiving members of the investing public and with the intention that the
price of UnitedHealth Group shares would rise, making it possible for insiders at the Company to profit by selling shares at a time when they knew the Company's true financial condition, but the
investing public did not. The complaints allege that once the Company's true financial condition was revealed on August 6, 1998, the price of UnitedHealth Group common shares fell from a
closing price of $527/8 on August 5, 1998, to a closing price of $377/8 on August 6, 1998. The complaints seek compensatory damages in unspecified amounts.
On
January 19, 1999, we received a consolidated amended complaint (In re United HealthCare Corporation Securities Litigation,
No. 98-1888 in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota) for the six suits which essentially restates the allegations made in the earlier complaints.
On
March 22, 1999, two actions were filed in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota by two pension funds against UnitedHealth Group, certain current and
former officers and directors, and other individuals yet to be identified. The pension funds wish to "opt-out" of the aforementioned purported class action suits. These individual actions essentially
restate the allegations made in the purported class actions and claim violations of Sections 10(b), 18(a) and 20 of the Securities Exchange Act. In addition, both actions assert a claim of
negligent misrepresentation and securities claims under state law. In the aggregate, the plaintiff pension funds seek compensatory damages totaling approximately $12.1 million.
The
defendants intend to defend these actions vigorously.
Item 6. Exhibits
(a) The
following exhibits are filed in response to Item 601 of Regulation S-K.
Exhibit
Number
|
|
|
|
Description
|
Exhibit 15 |
|
|
|
Letter Re Unaudited Interim Financial Information |
Exhibit 99 |
|
|
|
Cautionary Statements |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
thereunto duly authorized.
UNITED HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
/s/ STEPHEN J. HEMSLEY Stephen J. Hemsley |
|
President and Chief Operating Officer |
|
Dated: November 12, 1999 |
/s/ ARNOLD H. KAPLAN Arnold H. Kaplan |
|
Chief Financial Officer |
|
Dated: November 12, 1999 |
/s/ PATRICK J. ERLANDSON Patrick J. Erlandson |
|
Chief Accounting Officer |
|
Dated: November 12, 1999 |
|
|
|
|
|
UNITED HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Number
|
|
|
|
Description
|
Exhibit 15 |
|
|
|
Letter Re Unaudited Interim Financial Information |
Exhibit 99 |
|
|
|
Cautionary Statements |