The largest commercial health insurer by revenue earned $859 million, or 73 cents per share. That's up from $337 million, or 27 cents per share, a year earlier.

Revenue rose 7 percent to $21.66 billion from $20.27 billion on increased premiums, which grew partly due to price increases.

Analysts forecast profit of 70 cents per share on revenue of $21.77 billion.

Minnetonka, Minn.-based UnitedHealth Group Inc. boosted full-year profit outlook to a range of $3 to $3.15 per share. Prior guidance was for earnings of $2.90 to $3.15 per share.

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