Form 8-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


FORM 8-K

 


Current Report Pursuant to

Section 13 or 15(d) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): April 18, 2006

 


UNITEDHEALTH GROUP INCORPORATED

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Minnesota   0-10864   41-1321939

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

  (Commission File Number)  

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

UnitedHealth Group Center, 9900 Bren Road East, Minnetonka, Minnesota   55343
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (952) 936-1300

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

 


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 



Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On April 18, 2006, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (the “Company”) issued a press release discussing first quarter 2006 results. A copy of the press release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99 and incorporated in this Item 2.02 by reference. The press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the Company.

To supplement our consolidated financial results as determined by generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), the press release also discloses certain non-GAAP information which management believes provides useful information to investors. The “Part D Normalized” results have been presented to enhance comparability with 2005 quarterly results. The “Part D Normalized” results assume that full year Medicare Part D benefit costs are recognized based on actuarially projected utilization over the contract year. Accordingly, “Part D Normalized” results for the first quarter of 2006 include a pro rata share of management’s estimate of full year 2006 Medicare Part D benefit costs relating to beneficiaries as of March 31, 2006. “Part D Normalized” results are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net earnings or diluted net earnings per share prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, Adjusted Cash Flows from Operating Activities is presented in the press release to facilitate the comparison of cash flows from operating activities for periods in which the Company does not receive its three monthly premium payments from the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in the quarter. A presentation of the most directly comparable measures presented in accordance with GAAP is included in the press release.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT FOR PURPOSES OF THE “SAFE HARBOR” PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

UnitedHealth Group and its representatives may from time to time make written and oral forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA), including statements in this report, in presentations, press releases (including the earnings release attached as Exhibit 99 to this report and the earnings conference call described in such earnings release), filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, reports to shareholders and in meetings with analysts and investors. Generally the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “project,” “will” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which generally are not historical in nature. These statements may contain information about financial prospects, economic conditions, trends and unknown certainties. We caution that actual results could differ materially from those that management expects, depending on the outcome of certain factors. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Some factors that could cause results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include:

 

    increases in health care costs that are higher than we anticipated in establishing our premium rates, including increased consumption of or costs of medical services;

 

    heightened competition as a result of new entrants into our market, and consolidation of health care companies and suppliers;


    events that may negatively affect our contract with AARP;

 

    uncertainties regarding changes in Medicare, including coordination of information systems and accuracy of certain assumptions;

 

    funding risks with respect to revenue received from Medicare and Medicaid programs;

 

    increases in costs and other liabilities associated with increased litigation, legislative activity and government regulation and review of our industry;

 

    our ability to execute contracts on competitive terms with physicians, hospitals and other service providers;

 

    regulatory and other risks associated with the pharmacy benefits management industry;

 

    failure to maintain effective and efficient information systems, which could result in the loss of existing customers, difficulties in attracting new customers, difficulties in determining medical costs estimates and appropriate pricing, customer and physician and health care provider disputes, regulatory violations, increases in operating costs, or other adverse consequences;

 

    possible impairment of the value of our intangible assets if future results do not adequately support goodwill and intangible assets recorded for businesses that we acquire;

 

    potential noncompliance by our business associates with patient privacy data;

 

    misappropriation of our proprietary technology; and

 

    anticipated benefits of acquiring PacifiCare may not be realized.

 

This list of important factors is not intended to be exhaustive. A further list and description of some of these risks and uncertainties can be found in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, including our annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Any or all forward-looking statements we make may turn out to be wrong. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Except to the extent otherwise required by federal securities laws, we do not undertake to publicly update or revise any forward-looking 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 hereunto duly authorized.

Date: April 18, 2006

 

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP INCORPORATED
By:  

/s/ David J. Lubben

  David J. Lubben
  General Counsel & Secretary


EXHIBITS

 

Number  

Description

99   Press Release, dated April 18, 2006, issued by UnitedHealth Group