HealthMarkets

In 1983, an experienced insurance executive named Ronald Jensen identified an underserved niche in the market: self-employed individuals and small businesses. He founded United Insurance Companies, Inc. (UICI) to cater to this group, and the company quickly found its footing. Just a few years later, in 1986, UICI held its initial public offering. The company evolved over the years, and in 2005, a major turning point occurred when a consortium of private equity firms, including The Blackstone Group and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners, acquired the company. Following this move from public to private, the company was rebranded as HealthMarkets to better reflect its consumer focus. This new chapter centered on operating as an insurance agency, connecting consumers with plans from various national and regional carriers through a network of thousands of agents. A significant event in the company's journey came in January 2019, when HealthMarkets was acquired by the healthcare giant UnitedHealth Group. This acquisition integrated HealthMarkets' extensive distribution network—including its agents, call centers, and online presence—into UnitedHealth's broader strategy to reach more customers through multiple channels.