UnitedHealth stock price steadies after 20% wipeout as Medicare Advantage rates loom
UnitedHealth shares rose 1.2% to $286.15 early Wednesday after plunging nearly 20% Tuesday, following a draft Medicare Advantage rate update and a weak 2026 outlook. The draft proposed a 0.09% average payment increase for 2027, far below expectations, triggering an $80 billion selloff in managed care stocks. UnitedHealth expects 2026 revenue to fall to just under $439 billion, with Medicare Advantage membership dropping by up to 1.4 million.