On Tuesday, Insurer UnitedHealth Group Inc. announced a rise in its first-quarter profit nudged by better-than-expected membership and services growth, surpassing Wall Street's expectations.

Now that the healthcare bill is a very huge reality and all of us know that it is going to get implemented real soon, the insurers are very worried and looking for ways to cut back on spending and save a few bucks. And no! Raising of premiums once again is not the solution!

Managed Care Company UnitedHealth Group claims on Thursday its fourth-quarter profit jumped 30 percent on higher premium revenue, despite a continued reduction in commercial enrolment.

The health group reported its fourth-quarter net earnings of $944 million or $0.81 per share in comparison to $726 million or $0.60 per share last year.

The U.S. Department of Defense said it has awarded military health care contracts worth billions of dollars to Aetna Inc. (AET), UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH) and TriWest Healthcare Alliance. 

In its Tuesday report, making a case for savings in the health sector, health insurance biggie UnitedHealth Group Inc. has noted that reducing paperwork hassles and updating administrative technology can bring about a $332 billion saving for the US health system, over the next ten-year period.

The UnitedHealth Group Center for Health Reform and Modernization has proposed a 15-point plan for the US government, which would bring about a $540 billion saving in healthcare costs over the next decade.

The affect of economic downturn has rubbed off even on US' biggest health insurer by market value - UnitedHealth Group Inc - as it announced a 40 percent fall in profits during its fourth quarter! Amid recession, which took away medical coverage from more Americans, the insurer had to spend a handsome amount towards the settlement of some litigation charges.