By Matt Grossman

UnitedHealth Group Inc. Thursday posted revenue and profit growth for the third quarter as its membership roles expanded.

The Minnetonka, Minn.-based health insurer logged earnings attributable to stockholders of $4.28 a share, a rise from $3.30 a share in last year's third quarter. Total earnings attributable to shareholders were $4.09 billion, up from $3.17 billion a year earlier.

Stripping out one-time items, UnitedHealth's adjusted earnings were $4.52 a share. Analysts surveyed by FactSet had been forecasting adjusted earnings of $4.41 a share.

Revenue rose to $72.34 billion, up from $65.12 billion in last year's third quarter. Analysts were anticipating revenue of $71.35 billion.

Premiums rose to $56.97 billion from $50.86 billion a year earlier.

Revenue from the UnitedHealthcare insurance division grew as more customers joined. People served is up by 2 million since the end of last year, the company said.

The Optum health-services business saw revenue rise by 14%. The recovery in healthcare behavior continued, with prescriptions handled by OptumRx rising 6% as more people returned to their doctors' offices compared with earlier in the pandemic, UnitedHealth said.

Write to Matt Grossman at matt.grossman@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

10-14-21 0629ET