DOJ Investigation Collaboration by UnitedHealth Group Confirmed
UnitedHealth Group, the largest supplier of Medicare Advantage plans in the United States, is currently under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) over allegations of improperly inflating government payments through diagnosis coding.
The federal investigation, which includes both criminal and civil components, was publicly disclosed by UnitedHealth on July 25, 2025. The company is cooperating fully with the DOJ’s formal requests.
The investigation centres around UnitedHealth's Medicare Advantage plans, an alternative to traditional Medicare offered to millions of older Americans and people with disabilities. This dual nature of the investigation underscores its seriousness and size, with some describing it as potentially the largest Medicare Advantage fraud probe to date.
UnitedHealth Group has maintained full confidence in its Medicare Advantage practices, citing independent audits by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that have found its coding accuracy to be among the best in the industry. The company emphasises its commitment to cooperating with the DOJ and continuing to manage its responsibilities as a steward of taxpayer dollars.
This investigation adds to a turbulent period for UnitedHealth. The company has faced multiple recent lawsuits, including one related to allegations that it uses algorithms to deny care for seniors enrolled in its Medicare Advantage plans. Additionally, the Justice Department launched an antitrust investigation into UnitedHealth in February of 2024, and sued to block UnitedHealth's acquisition of a home health and hospice services provider in November of 2024.
In a statement published on Thursday, UnitedHealth Group announced its cooperation with the federal government. However, no specific details about the nature of the investigation were provided in the article.
The cyberattack on UnitedHealth, which paralysed its billing systems and impacted the sensitive personal information of over 100 million people, occurred through a web portal that did not require multi-factor authentication. UnitedHealth eventually paid Blackcat, the group behind the attack, $22 million.
The investigation into UnitedHealth Group comes at a time when the business of Medicare Advantage plans has become a critical source of revenues for the company. Luigi Mangione, who was arrested in connection with the murder of UnitedHealth's CEO, Brian Thompson, has since become an internet sensation.
Sources:
[1] The New York Times. (2025, July 25). UnitedHealth Group Discloses Criminal and Civil Investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/25/business/unitedhealth-group-doj-investigation.html
[2] CNBC. (2025, July 26). UnitedHealth Group under criminal and civil investigation by DOJ over Medicare Advantage billing practices. Retrieved from https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/26/unitedhealth-group-under-criminal-and-civil-investigation-by-doj-over-medicare-advantage-billing-practices.html
[3] Reuters. (2025, July 25). UnitedHealth Group under federal criminal and civil probes over Medicare Advantage billing. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/unitedhealth-group-under-federal-criminal-civil-probes-over-medicare-advantage-billing-2025-07-25/
- Gizmodo reported on the probe into UnitedHealth Group, the largest supplier of Medicare Advantage plans, which is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) over allegations of inflating government payments.
- The investigation into UnitedHealth's Medicare Advantage plans is significant, as it involves both criminal and civil components and is being described as potentially the largest Medicare Advantage fraud probe to date.
- In a statement, UnitedHealth Group emphasized its commitment to health and wellness, stating that it would continue to manage its responsibilities as a steward of taxpayer dollars, while maintaining high standards in technology and science related to medical-conditions.
- In the realm of general news, UnitedHealth Group is also facing allegations of using algorithms to deny care for seniors enrolled in its Medicare Advantage plans, along with antitrust investigations and a lawsuit over a planned acquisition.
- Amid these challenges, the financial sector is closely watching the developments surrounding UnitedHealth Group, as the business of Medicare Advantage plans has become a critical source of revenues for the company.
