UnitedHealth Group says its second-quarter profit rose 13 percent, as the health insurer saw strong revenue gains in several categories and benefited from a moderation in health system use.

The Minnetonka, Minn., insurer says it earned $1.27 billion, or $1.16 per share, in the three months that ended June 30. That's up from $1.12 billion, or 99 cents per share, in the same quarter last year. Revenue rose 8 percent to $25.23 billion.

Analysts surveyed by FactSet forecast earnings of 90 cents per share on $25.22 billion in revenue.

UnitedHealth is the largest health insurer based on revenue and the first to report earnings every quarter. Many see the company as a bellwether for managed care companies.