UnitedHealthcare comes out on top on brand value report

UnitedHealthcare ranked as the most valuable healthcare services brand for the ninth year in a row, according to Brand Finance's Healthcare 2024 Report.

The ranking, which determines the strength and value of brands based on attributes that include financial performance, sustainability and emotional connection, continues a streak at the top for the insurer. In 2021, Brand Finance valued the brand at $27.3 billion. This year, its brand value was $47.6 billion. 

Related article: Change Healthcare breach could cost UnitedHealth $1.6B this year

The rankings were completed Jan. 1, before the Change Healthcare cyberattack in February.

Here are some other highlights from the report: 

• Elevance Health, formerly known as Anthem, was runner-up on the list, with a brand valuation of $25.5 billion, compared with $19.9 billion in 2023.
   
• The Cigna brand was valued at $10.3 billion, compared with $7.7 billion in 2023. 
   
• UnitedHealth Group's Optum didn't see much of a bump. The brand was valued at $20.4 billion, compared with $20.1 billion last year.
   
• Humana CEO Bruce Broussard, who will depart from his position July 1, topped Brand Finance's Guardian Index list for healthcare, a ranking based on how well leaders manage and grow their organizations. Cigna CEO David Cordani was runner-up. Andrew Witty, CEO of UnitedHealthcare Group, took the third spot on the list.