UnitedHealth Group topped payers’ first-quarter profits, according to recent filings. The company also dominated 2025 earnings, taking in $12.06 billion last year.
From signaling a broad ACA pullback to touting AI investments, insurers’ first-quarter calls illuminated strategic bets for the rest of the year.
Here are the top six payers based on their first-quarter profits:
1. UnitedHealth Group: $6.3 billion
Net earnings attributable to common shareholders were $6.28 billion in the first quarter of 2026. UnitedHealthcare revenue was $86.3 billion, and its earnings from operations were $5.7 billion.
2. CVS Health: $2.9 billion
Profit surpassed $2.9 billion for CVS Health. Revenue for the benefits segment, Aetna, neared $36 billion, and its adjusted operating income reached $3 billion.
3. Elevance Health: $1.8 billion
Elevance reported $1.76 billion in profit for the first quarter. The health benefits business — composed of Anthem and Wellpoint — had a total operating revenue of $42.5 billion.
4. The Cigna Group: $1.7 billion
The company reported a $1.65 billion profit for the quarter. Cigna Healthcare brought in approximately $11.5 billion in adjusted revenue, and its operational income was roughly $1.5 billion.
5. Centene: $1.5 billion
The company reported a $1.54 billion profit.
6. Humana: $1.2 billion
Net income was $1.18 billion in the first quarter. The insurance segment had $38.1 billion in revenue and $1.4 billion in income from operations.
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