UnitedHealthcare Expands Doula Services Nationwide
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 16 2026
0mins
Should l Buy UNH?
Source: Newsfilter
- Doula Service Expansion: UnitedHealthcare has announced the nationwide expansion of its doula services, with approximately 7.2 million members expected to access this offering through employer health plans by 2027, significantly enhancing maternal health support.
- Health Outcome Improvement: Studies indicate that doula services can lead to a 57% reduction in postpartum anxiety and depression, lower preterm birth and cesarean rates, and increase breastfeeding rates, thereby providing comprehensive support throughout the maternity journey.
- Flexible Service Options: Members have the flexibility to meet with doulas either in-person or virtually, and depending on their health plan, they may have coverage for a set number of visits or reimbursement allowances, catering to diverse family needs.
- Ongoing Health Investment: UnitedHealth Group is committed to continuous investment in maternal health, recently announcing $7 million in maternal and infant health grants, including $1 million dedicated to strengthening and diversifying the doula workforce, aiming to improve overall maternal health outcomes.
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Analyst Views on UNH
Wall Street analysts forecast UNH stock price to rise
19 Analyst Rating
16 Buy
3 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 273.980
Low
330.00
Averages
397.82
High
444.00
Current: 273.980
Low
330.00
Averages
397.82
High
444.00
About UNH
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated is a healthcare and well-being company. Its segments include Optum Health, Optum Insight, Optum Rx, and UnitedHealthcare, which includes UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual, UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement and UnitedHealthcare Community & State. Optum Health provides comprehensive and patient-centered care, addressing the physical, mental, and social well-being. Optum Health delivers primary, specialty and surgical care and helps patients and providers navigate and address complex, chronic and behavioral health needs. Optum Insight connects the healthcare system with services, analytics and platforms that make clinical, administrative and financial processes simpler and more efficient for all participants in the healthcare system. Optum Rx offers a range of pharmacy care services through retail pharmacies, through home delivery, specialty and community health pharmacies and the provision of in-home and community-based infusion services.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Investment Potential Analysis: While UnitedHealth Group is viewed as a potential investment, the Bretton Fund's investor letter highlights the stock's underperformance, suggesting a divergence in market expectations regarding its future growth prospects.
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- Diversified Revenue Streams: The Optum division of UnitedHealth Group generates recurring fee-based revenue through data analytics, pharmacy services, and care delivery, transforming the company from a low-margin insurer into a healthcare technology compounder, thereby enhancing its competitive position in the market.
- Investment Potential Analysis: While UnitedHealth Group is viewed as a potential investment, the Bretton Fund's investor letter highlights the stock's underperformance, suggesting a divergence in market expectations regarding its future growth prospects.
- AI Stock Comparison: Despite the optimistic outlook for UnitedHealth Group, analysts believe that certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and lower downside risk, prompting investors to carefully consider market dynamics when selecting stocks.
See More
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- Impact on Star Ratings: This reform is anticipated to enhance the star ratings of Medicare Advantage plans, particularly those achieving four stars or more, which will receive annual bonus payments from the government, thereby strengthening insurers' competitive positions in the market.
- Taxpayer Burden Relief: According to the final CMS regulation, the changes are projected to cost taxpayers about $13 billion, but they will simultaneously provide much-needed funding for health insurers, alleviating pressure as they await decisions on 2027 reimbursement rates.
- Positive Market Reaction: Following this announcement, the market outlook for Medicare Advantage insurers appears optimistic, especially as the proposed reimbursement rates for 2027 are expected to remain relatively flat, allowing insurers to benefit from the influx of new funding.
See More
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- Sector Growth Highlights: The healthcare sector was the largest contributor, adding 76,000 jobs, with 54,000 coming from returning workers post-strike, suggesting a rebound in this sector after facing short-term challenges.
- Unemployment Rate Changes: Although the unemployment rate dipped slightly to 4.3%, the labor force participation rate fell to 61.9% due to a decline of 396,000 individuals, reflecting underlying pressures in the job market.
- Wage Growth Slowdown: Average hourly earnings rose by only 0.2% in March, with a year-over-year increase of 3.5%, both below expectations, indicating that sluggish wage growth may impact consumer spending and overall economic growth.
See More
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- Wix's Outlook Downgraded: UBS downgraded Wix from buy to hold, with analysts believing its 2026 outlook indicates a slowdown in core business growth from 12% last year to 8% this year, and despite efforts to integrate AI capabilities, the company remains vulnerable to disruption by AI.
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- Patient Preference Insights: An analysis by Novo revealed that 84% of patients preferred the drug profile of Wegovy, highlighting strong patient recognition of its lifestyle compatibility, which provides robust support for Novo's market promotion efforts.
- Market Competition Dynamics: The launch of the Wegovy pill is seen as the beginning of a new era in weight-loss medications; however, analysts note that the rapid increase in prescriptions may slow down as Foundayo approaches its market entry, potentially impacting Wegovy's market share.
- Side Effect Comparison: Recent studies indicate that Wegovy outperforms Foundayo in terms of discontinuation rates, with the latter associated with about 14 times higher odds of stopping treatment due to side effects, providing Wegovy with a crucial differentiation advantage in the increasingly competitive anti-obesity drug market.
See More
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- Pfizer Dividend Advantage: Pfizer currently offers a dividend yield of 6.2%, and despite its stock price being down 55% from all-time highs, its investments in oncology and obesity drug markets may provide future growth potential, making it a stable income source.
- UnitedHealth Group Challenges: UnitedHealth Group has a dividend yield of 3.4%, and despite facing rising healthcare costs and cyberattack challenges, it is projected to rebound to $24 billion in operating earnings by 2026, supporting future dividend payments.
- Healthcare Spending Growth: As the U.S. population ages and healthcare costs inflate, healthcare spending is expected to continue rising, and while the insurance industry may not be popular, UnitedHealth Group's long-term growth potential remains noteworthy.
See More
