UnitedHealth Looks Beyond These Borders

When President Obama was re-elected, shares of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) and other life insurers fell immediately. Is Obamacare a death knell for health insurers, or is the market missing out on some of the opportunities the law presents? Of course, one way to offset any negative impact from the law is to grow in areas where it doesn't apply. In our brand-new premium report on UnitedHealth, which homes in on UnitedHealth's prospects in a post-Obamacare world, we highlight one way the company is looking to grow beyond borders. Read on for a free sample.

Beyond Borders
In October 2012, UnitedHealth announced the acquisition of Brazil's largest health-care organization, Amil Participacoes S.A. This move opens up a significant new opportunity for growth beyond U.S. borders.

Brazil represents the largest market for private health care in the Western Hemisphere outside of the U.S. The market penetration for managed care in the country currently stands near 25%, much lower than the 80% penetration in the U.S. Better yet, per-capita GDP in Brazil has grown at an average rate in excess of 19% for nearly 10 years, making health care more affordable for an increasing percentage of the population.

Amil brings several assets to UnitedHealth. The company owns hospitals and clinics, along with several outpatient facilities and emergency care centers. Amil also boasts the largest care network in Brazil with 44,000 doctors, 12,000 ancillary service facilities, almost 11,000 outpatient clinics, and 3,300 hospitals.

UnitedHealth estimates annual revenue for Amil around $5 billion this year. While that amounts to only a small fraction of the company's U.S. revenue, Amil's year-on-year growth in the double-digits, combined with a large untapped Brazilian market bode well for UnitedHealth's prospects below the equator.