UnitedHealth under investigation for billing practices
News | By Easton Martin | July 24, 2025
UnitedHealth Group has confirmed it is under both criminal and civil investigation by the Department of Justice over its Medicare Advantage billing practices. In a recent SEC filing, the company disclosed that it voluntarily contacted federal officials and is cooperating with formal requests for information.
The investigation focuses on whether UnitedHealth improperly encouraged medical providers to document diagnoses that would increase federal payments through Medicare Advantage plans. The company, which serves over eight million members in that program, maintains that its billing practices are accurate and consistent with federal standards. It also stated that audits from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services support the reliability of its data.
This marks a significant escalation in scrutiny for the nation’s largest health insurer. Reports earlier this year indicated that former UnitedHealth clinicians had been contacted by federal investigators. The company has since announced it will conduct an independent third-party review of its risk assessment and billing procedures.
Shares of UnitedHealth fell sharply following the news and have continued to struggle throughout the year. Analysts and investors are watching closely, as the investigation could have lasting implications for the company’s standing in the Medicare Advantage market.
