UnitedHealth’s AI Expansion: A Digital Assistant for Millions of Policyholders

UnitedHealth Group is deepening its commitment to artificial intelligence within the healthcare sector. The company’s subsidiary, UnitedHealthcare, has launched a new generative AI assistant named “Avery,” designed to help members navigate insurance benefits and coverage questions.

Financial Performance and Analyst Outlook

Despite a challenging period for the share price—currently trading approximately 14% below its 200-day moving average—analysts maintain a constructive view. UBS recently reaffirmed a Buy rating with a $410 price target. Piper Sandler also holds an Overweight stance, setting a $390 target and specifically highlighting the strength of the Optum Health division.

For the fourth quarter of 2025, UnitedHealth’s earnings per share of $2.11 met expectations, though revenue of $113.2 billion came in slightly below forecasts. The corporation has confirmed its profit outlook for the current fiscal year, anticipating that 65% of the annual result will be realized in the first half, with the remaining 35% in the second.

Should investors sell immediately? Or is it worth buying Unitedhealth?

A Broad and Growing AI Initiative

Avery represents just one facet of a much larger technological push. UnitedHealth reports it is pursuing over 1,000 distinct AI initiatives, with total investments in artificial intelligence reaching $1.6 billion this year. The company had already achieved nearly $1 billion in corporate cost savings through AI automation by early 2026.

The rollout of Avery is progressing swiftly. Currently accessible to roughly 6.5 million members with employer-sponsored insurance and 160,000 Medicare Advantage beneficiaries, UnitedHealth plans to expand access to a total of 20.5 million members by year-end. This expansion will span its Commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid segments.

The introduction of Avery follows the recent deployment of another AI tool, “OptumReal,” within the Optum Health unit. This platform is intended to accelerate the real-time processing of claims.