Jan. 16 (Bloomberg) — UnitedHealth Group Inc., the biggest U.S. health insurer, said earnings rose 15 percent, boosted by growth in its Optum technology business as well as enrollment gains. The company reaffirmed its 2014 forecast.

Fourth-quarter net income climbed to $1.43 billion, or $1.41 a share, matching analysts' estimates, the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based company said in a statement today. Revenue climbed 8.2 percent to $31.1 billion, the insurer said.

UnitedHealth has limited sales on the insurance exchanges set up by the U.S. health law known as Obamacare. Instead, it's been buoyed by growth in employer and government-funded insurance plans as well as Optum, its technology and consulting unit for hospitals, employers and other clients. Revenue from that business jumped 35 percent to $10.2 billion in the quarter.

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