UnitedHealthcare seeks nearly 8% premium hike in 1 state, blaming rising radiology costs

UnitedHealthcare is seeking sizable hikes to premiums in one state and is blaming rising radiology costs as one of the reasons. 

The country’s largest insurer recently petitioned the Maryland Insurance Administration, proposing an average increase of approximately 7.9%. This would apply to those using small market plans under the UHC brand and three other subsidiaries (Optum Choice, MAMSI Life and UnitedHealthcare Mid-Atlantic), WYPR news reported Thursday. 

If approved, the rate hikes would impact approximately 26,000 plan holders in Maryland. UHC actuary Daniel Akier told local regulators the mark-up is necessary due to rising costs. 

“Just to name some of the services most impactful: Acute impaction really has skyrocketed, along with some of the outpatient services categories like lab pathology, radiology, infusion and radiation therapy,” he told the Maryland Insurance Administration, according to the news outlet.

The mid-year increase comes after UnitedHealthcare previously earned a 9.4% hike in October, adding up to a 17.4% bump in one fiscal year. Both patients and providers are now speaking out against the request. The Maryland Citizens’ Health Initiative—a coalition of organizations advocating for left-leaning policy in the state—believes the price increase will harm citizens. 

Meanwhile, the Maryland State Medical Society, or MedChi, is formally urging the administration to reject the mid-year request. Doctors are citing concerns about affordability, access to care and the “continued strain” on patients and physicians. In a letter to Maryland Insurance Commissioner Marie Grant Wednesday, MedChi expressed “strong opposition” to the proposed increases. 

“Maryland families should not be forced to shoulder the burden of excessive premium increases while large insurance corporations continue reporting soaring profits,” wrote Eric Wargotz, MD, president of the medical society. “Patients are already struggling with rising healthcare costs, delayed care and increasing barriers to treatment. Approving these rate hikes would only worsen access and affordability for Marylanders.”

MedChi highlighted UnitedHealthcare’s strong financial performance in 2026’s first quarter, which it believes belies the need for another rate hike. This included Q1 revenues for UHC of $86.3 billion, up 2% year over year, with earnings from operations of $5.7 billion (up nearly 10%), and an operating margin of 6.6%. Wargotz also challenged UHC’s declining medical benefit ratios, with the insurer spending less on patient care while notching higher premiums. This while radiologists and other physicians report delays and denials of imaging and other medically necessary services. 

“We urge the [Maryland Insurance Administration] to reject the requested rate increases and to fully consider their cumulative impact on affordability, access to care, and the sustainability of Maryland’s physician workforce,” Wargotz wrote.