UnitedHealth under investigation by federal authorities, company reveals in filing

UnitedHealth Group revealed on Thursday that it is under both criminal and civil investigation by the Department of Justice, as per an SEC filing. The company stated that it is cooperating with the DOJ’s requests and had proactively reached out to them after hearing media reports about an inquiry into its Medicare practices.

“The Company has now begun complying with formal criminal and civil requests from the Department. The Company has full confidence in its practices and is committed to working cooperatively with the Department throughout this process,” UnitedHealth shared in its statement.

This announcement of being subject to a federal investigation marks another turbulent chapter for the largest healthcare company in the United States. UnitedHealth Group has faced significant scrutiny since the tragic shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last year, which led to a national discussion on frustrations with healthcare corporations.

In May, UnitedHealth’s CEO departed the company abruptly, and its stock price took a hit after a series of reports by The Wall Street Journal highlighted civil and criminal investigations into the organization. Reports from May further revealed that the DOJ’s healthcare-fraud unit was looking into potential Medicare fraud, in addition to ongoing probes regarding antitrust violations and its Medicare billing practices.

Throughout the first half of 2025, UnitedHealth was the worst-performing company on the Dow Jones Industrial Average, experiencing a 1.5 percent decline in its stock price following the news of the investigation.

In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, UnitedHealth asserted its confidence in its business practices. It emphasized that an independent monitor appointed by the court found no misconduct after a ten-year-long investigation into its Medicare Advantage business.

“The Company is dedicated to upholding the integrity of its operations and acting as trustworthy custodians of American tax dollars,” UnitedHealth reassured in its statement.

As of now, the Department of Justice has not immediately commented on the situation, signifying that the story is still evolving. Please stay tuned for further updates on this matter.