Optum Rx — Total operating costs
UnitedHealth Group Optum Rx — Total operating costs decreased by 10.4% to $34.54B in Q1 2026 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric grew by 2.2%, from $33.81B to $34.54B. Over 3 years (FY 2022 to FY 2025), Optum Rx — Total operating costs shows an upward trend with a 15.7% CAGR. This is a positive signal — lower values indicate better performance for this metric.
Analysis
How to read this metric
An increase relative to revenue suggests margin compression, while a decrease relative to revenue indicates improved operational efficiency.
Detailed definition
The total expenses incurred to operate the pharmacy benefit management segment, including cost of goods sold, administra...
Peer comparison
Comparable to operating expenses reported by other pharmacy benefit managers and healthcare service firms.
unh_segment_optum_rx_total_operating_costsHistorical Data
| Q1 '22 | Q2 '22 | Q3 '22 | Q4 '22 | Q1 '23 | Q2 '23 | Q3 '23 | Q4 '23 | Q1 '24 | Q2 '24 | Q3 '24 | Q4 '24 | Q1 '25 | Q2 '25 | Q3 '25 | Q4 '25 | Q1 '26 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | $23.83B | $23.83B | $23.83B | $23.83B | $27.74B | $27.74B | $27.74B | $27.74B | $29.69B | $31.01B | $32.66B | $34.04B | $33.81B | $37.02B | $38.13B | $38.57B | $34.54B |
| QoQ Change | — | +0.0% | +0.0% | +0.0% | +16.4% | +0.0% | +0.0% | +0.0% | +7.0% | +4.4% | +5.3% | +4.2% | -0.6% | +9.5% | +3.0% | +1.2% | -10.4% |
| YoY Change | — | — | — | — | +16.4% | +16.4% | +16.4% | +16.4% | +7.0% | +11.8% | +17.7% | +22.7% | +13.9% | +19.4% | +16.7% | +13.3% | +2.2% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is UnitedHealth Group's optum rx — total operating costs?
- UnitedHealth Group (UNH) reported optum rx — total operating costs of $34.54B in Q1 2026.
- How has UnitedHealth Group's optum rx — total operating costs changed year-over-year?
- UnitedHealth Group's optum rx — total operating costs increased by 2.2% year-over-year, from $33.81B to $34.54B.
- What is the long-term trend for UnitedHealth Group's optum rx — total operating costs?
- Over 3 years (2022 to 2025), UnitedHealth Group's optum rx — total operating costs has grown at a 15.7% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $95.34B to $147.53B.
- What does optum rx — total operating costs mean?
- Total costs required to run the pharmacy benefit management business.