{{Short description|American health care company}} {{Use American English|date=February 2016}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}} {{redirects|United Health|the protest song|United Health (song){{!}}''United Health'' (song)}} {{Infobox company | name = UnitedHealth Group Incorporated | logo = UnitedHealth Group logo.svg | logo_upright = 1.2 | type = Public | traded_as = {{ubl|{{NYSE|UNH}}|DJIA component|S&P 100 component|S&P 500 component}} | founder = Richard T. Burke | key_people = {{ubl|Stephen J. Hemsley (chairman & CEO)|Wayne S. DeVeydt (CFO)<ref>{{cite document|title=FORM 8-K UNITEDHEALTH GROUP INCORPORATED|date=July 31, 2025|publisher=United States Securities and Exchange Commission}}</ref>|Tim Noel (CEO of UnitedHealthcare)}} | industry = {{ubl|Managed healthcare|Insurance}} | services = {{ubl|Healthcare services|Health insurance|Health care provider|Pharmacy benefit manager}} | area_served = Worldwide | revenue = {{nowrap|{{Increase}} {{US$|447.6 billion|link=yes}} (2025)<ref name="2025 UHG SEC Form 10-K">{{cite web|title=UnitedHealth Group 2025 Annual Report (Form 10-K)|url=https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/731766/000073176626000062/unh-20251231.htm|website=www.sec.gov|publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission|access-date=6 March 2026}}</ref>}} | operating_income = {{Decrease}} {{US$|18.96 billion}} (2025)<ref name="2025 UHG SEC Form 10-K"/> | net_income = {{Decrease}} {{US$|12.81 billion}} (2025)<ref name="2025 UHG SEC Form 10-K"/> | assets = {{Increase}} {{US$|309.6 billion}} (2025)<ref name="2025 UHG SEC Form 10-K"/> | equity = {{nowrap|{{Increase}} {{US$|100.09 billion}} (2025)<ref name="2025 UHG SEC Form 10-K"/>}} | num_employees = {{circa|390,000}} (2025)<ref name="2025 UHG SEC Form 10-K"/> | foundation = {{plainlist| * {{Start date and age|1974}} (as CharterMed) * {{Start date and age|1977}} (as UnitedHealthCare) }} | subsid = ~2700 including {{ubl|Optum|UnitedHealthcare}} | location = Eden Prairie, Minnesota, United States | website = {{URL|https://unitedhealthgroup.com/}} | footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web |date=February 27, 2025 |title=UnitedHealth Group 2024 Annual Report (Form 10-K) |url=https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/731766/000073176625000063/unh-20241231.htm |access-date=February 28, 2025 |publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission |archive-date=February 28, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250228061134/https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/731766/000073176625000063/unh-20241231.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Subsidiaries of UnitedHealth Group |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/731766/000119312503075552/dex21.htm |publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission |access-date=September 11, 2021 |archive-date=September 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901025756/https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/731766/000119312503075552/dex21.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Investor Conference 2023 |url=https://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/content/dam/UHG/PDF/investors/2023/ic23/UHG_IC23_UNH_Overview.pdf |publisher=UnitedHealth Group |access-date=December 4, 2023 |archive-date=December 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204155324/https://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/content/dam/UHG/PDF/investors/2023/ic23/UHG_IC23_UNH_Overview.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> }}
'''UnitedHealth Group Incorporated''' is an American multinational for-profit company based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, specializing in health insurance and health care services. Selling insurance products under UnitedHealthcare, and health care services under the Optum brand, it is the world's seventh-largest company by revenue and the largest health care company by revenue. The company is ranked seventh on the 2025 ''Fortune'' Global 500.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fortune Global 500|url=https://fortune.com/ranking/global500/|access-date=December 14, 2025|website=Fortune|language=en|archive-date=January 14, 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260114130124/https://fortune.com/ranking/global500/|url-status=live}}</ref>
UnitedHealth Group had a market capitalization of more than $300 billion as of year-end 2025.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://companiesmarketcap.com/united-health/marketcap/|title=End of year Market Cap|work=CompaniesMarketCap.com|accessdate=February 13, 2026}}</ref> The company is the largest health insurer in the United States, insuring over 50 million people,<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Chapman |first1=-Michelle |last2=Chapman |first2=Associated Press Michelle |last3=Press |first3=Associated |date=May 13, 2025 |title=UnitedHealth Group, largest health insurer in U.S., withdraws financial outlook for 2025 |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/unitedhealth-group-largest-health-insurer-in-u-s-withdraws-financial-outlook-for-2025 |access-date=September 1, 2025 |website=PBS News |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fry |first=Erika |title=How UnitedHealthcare and mega-insurers came to dominate the $4.5 trillion health care industry that Americans both hate and rely upon |url=https://fortune.com/2024/12/14/unitedhealthcare-brian-thompson-health-insurance/ |access-date=September 1, 2025 |website=Fortune |language=en |archive-date=July 25, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725132010/https://fortune.com/2024/12/14/unitedhealthcare-brian-thompson-health-insurance/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and operates globally.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/731766/000119312503075552/dex21.htm|title=Subsidiaries of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated|website=sec.gov|access-date=September 11, 2021|archive-date=September 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901025756/https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/731766/000119312503075552/dex21.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://insights.greyb.com/unitedhealth-group-subsidiaries/|title=UnitedHealth Group Subsidiaries|access-date=January 31, 2026|website=insights.greyb.com|archive-date=September 11, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250911153211/https://insights.greyb.com/unitedhealth-group-subsidiaries/|url-status=live}}</ref>
UnitedHealth Group has faced numerous<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.economicliberties.us/data-tools/unitedhealth-group-abuse-tracker/|title=UnitedHealth Group Abuse Tracker|access-date=January 31, 2026|website=economicliberties.us|archive-date=October 22, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251022184105/https://www.economicliberties.us/data-tools/unitedhealth-group-abuse-tracker/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/15/business/unitedhealth-stock-ceo-investigation|title=One of America's biggest companies is imploding | CNN Business|first=Matt|last=Egan|date=May 15, 2025|publisher=CNN|access-date=October 15, 2025|archive-date=July 27, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250727122528/https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/15/business/unitedhealth-stock-ceo-investigation|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=UnitedHealth Will Cooperate With Federal Probe of Its Medicare Billing Practices|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/24/health/unitedhealth-medicare-justice-department.html|work=The New York Times|date=July 24, 2025|access-date=January 30, 2026|issn=0362-4331|language=en-US|first=Reed|last=Abelson|archive-date=September 22, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250922123251/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/24/health/unitedhealth-medicare-justice-department.html|url-status=live}}</ref> investigations, lawsuits, and fines, including SEC enforcement for stock option backdating, Medicare over-billing, unfair claims practices, mental health treatment denials, and anticompetitive behavior.
==History==
=== 1970s–1990s === UnitedHealth Group originated in late 1974, when Minnesota-based Charter Med Incorporated was founded by Richard Taylor Burke. It originally processed claims for doctors at the Hennepin County Medical Society.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Snowbeck |first=Christopher |date=April 26, 2022 |title=UnitedHealth Group founder to retire from the board after more than 40 years |url=https://www.startribune.com/unitedhealth-group-founder-to-retire-from-the-board-after-more-than-40-years/600168065/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241205031807/https://www.startribune.com/unitedhealth-group-founder-to-retire-from-the-board-after-more-than-40-years/600168065 |archive-date=December 5, 2024 |access-date=May 16, 2023 |work=Minnesota Star Tribune }}</ref> UnitedHealthcare Corporation was founded in 1977 to purchase Charter Med and create a network-based health plan for seniors.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Botti |first=Timothy J. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4UPo0V1qovwC&dq=charter+med+unitedhealth+1977&pg=PA360 |title=Envy of the World |date=2006 |publisher=Algora Pub |isbn=978-0-87586-432-7 |access-date=May 16, 2023}}</ref> It became a publicly traded company in 1984 and changed its name to UnitedHealth Group in 1998.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Patrick |first=Margaret |date=March 3, 2015 |title=UnitedHealth Group: The history of a health insurance giant |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/unitedhealth-group-history-health-insurance-192731176.html |access-date=March 1, 2023 |work=Yahoo Finance |archive-date=February 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208220405/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/unitedhealth-group-history-health-insurance-192731176.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 1988, UnitedHealthcare started its first pharmacy benefit management, through its Diversified Pharmaceutical Services subsidiary. It managed pharmacy benefits delivered both through retail pharmacies and mail. The subsidiary was sold to SmithKline Beecham in 1994 for $2.3 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Smithkline Is Buying A Benefits Company It's Acquiring Diversified Pharmaceutical Services. The Cost: $2.3 Billion. |url=http://articles.philly.com/1994-05-04/news/25827533_1_drug-firms-pharmaceutical-marketplace-pharmaceutical-benefits |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20160329220715/http://articles.philly.com/1994-05-04/news/25827533_1_drug-firms-pharmaceutical-marketplace-pharmaceutical-benefits |archive-date=March 29, 2016 |website=philly-archives}}</ref>
In 1994, UnitedHealthcare acquired Ramsey-HMO, a Florida insurer.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Freudenheim |first=Milt |date=February 16, 1994 |title=COMPANY NEWS; Healthcare Acquisition Is Planned |work=The New York Times |url=http://www.nytimes.com/1994/02/16/business/company-news-healthcare-acquisition-is-planned.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619090033/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/02/16/business/company-news-healthcare-acquisition-is-planned.html |archive-date=June 19, 2015 |access-date=October 7, 2025 |language=en}}</ref> In 1995, the company acquired The MetraHealth Companies Inc. for $1.65 billion. MetraHealth was a privately held company formed by combining the group healthcare operations of The Travelers Companies and MetLife. In 1996, UnitedHealthcare acquired HealthWise of America, which operated HMOs in Arkansas, Maryland, Kentucky and Tennessee.<ref>{{Cite news |last=webadmin |date=March 1, 1996 |title=United HealthCare Expands Presence in Southeast Region |url=http://www.managedcaremag.com/archives/1996/3/united-healthcare-expands-presence-southeast-region |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011120123/http://www.managedcaremag.com/archives/1996/3/united-healthcare-expands-presence-southeast-region |archive-date=October 11, 2016 |access-date=October 7, 2025 |work=Managed Care Magazine Online |language=en}}</ref>
In 1998, the company was reorganized as the holding company for hitherto independent companies UnitedHealthcare, Ovations, Uniprise, Specialized Care Services, and Ingenix and rebranded as "UnitedHealth Group". Also in 1998, UnitedHealth Group acquired HealthPartners of Arizona, operator of Arizona's largest AHCCCS provider.<ref>{{Cite web |title=HealthPartners sold; layoffs possible – Tucson Citizen Morgue, Part 2 (1993–2009) |url=http://tucsoncitizen.com/morgue2/1998/06/12/196795-healthpartners-sold-layoffs-possible/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304001838/http://tucsoncitizen.com/morgue2/1998/06/12/196795-healthpartners-sold-layoffs-possible/ |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=June 1, 2015}}</ref>
=== 2000s === In 2001, EverCare, a UnitedHealth Group subsidiary, merged with LifeMark Health Plans<ref>{{Cite web |title=UNITEDHEALTH GROUP INC (Form Type: 10-K, Filing Date: 04/01/2002) |url=http://edgar.secdatabase.com/2528/95013702001930/filing-main.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516175111/http://edgar.secdatabase.com/2528/95013702001930/filing-main.htm |archive-date=May 16, 2018 |access-date=October 7, 2025 |website=edgar.secdatabase.com}}</ref> In 2002, UnitedHealth Group acquired GeoAccess and Medicaid insurance company AmeriChoice.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 19, 2002 |title=UNITEDHEALTH AGREES TO ACQUIRE AMERICHOICE |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/19/business/company-news-unitedhealth-agrees-to-acquire-americhoice.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307020735/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/19/business/company-news-unitedhealth-agrees-to-acquire-americhoice.html |archive-date=March 7, 2017 |work=The New York Times |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> In 2003, UnitedHealth Group acquired Mid Atlantic Medical Services, an insurer serving Maryland, Washington D.C., Virginia, Delaware and West Virginia.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 27, 2003 |title=UnitedHealth Agrees to Buy Rival Mid Atlantic Medical |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB106725362340602300 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703120409/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB106725362340602300 |archive-date=July 3, 2015 |work=The Wall Street Journal |issn=0099-9660 }}</ref> Also in 2003, UnitedHealth Group acquired Golden Rule Financial, a provider of health savings accounts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Trevor |date=September 23, 2003 |title=Rating Agencies: UnitedHealth To Acquire Golden Rule |url=http://www.lifehealthpro.com/2003/09/23/rating-agencies-unitedhealth-to-acquire-golden-rul |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703045541/http://www.lifehealthpro.com/2003/09/23/rating-agencies-unitedhealth-to-acquire-golden-rul |archive-date=July 3, 2015 |access-date=July 2, 2015 |website=LifeHealthPro }}</ref> On July 21, 2003, Exante Bank started operating in Salt Lake City, Utah, as a Utah state-chartered industrial loan corporation. It changed its name to OptumHealth Bank in 2008<ref>{{Cite news |title=Exante Financial Services Becomes OptumHealth Financial Services |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20080303005991/en/Exante-Financial-Services-OptumHealth-Financial-Services |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623161803/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20080303005991/en/Exante-Financial-Services-OptumHealth-Financial-Services |archive-date=June 23, 2019 |access-date=October 7, 2025 |language=en}}</ref> and to Optum Bank in 2012.
In April 2004, UnitedHealth Group acquired Touchpoint Health Plan, a Wisconsin health plan.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UnitedHealthcare to acquire Touchpoint Health Plan - Milwaukee - Milwaukee Business Journal |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2004/03/29/daily49.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703110439/http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2004/03/29/daily49.html |archive-date=July 3, 2015 |access-date=October 7, 2025 |website=Milwaukee Business Journal |date=April 2, 2004 }}</ref> In July 2004, the company acquired Oxford Health Plans.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Oxford Health Plans Announces Agreement to Merge With UnitedHealthcare |url=https://www.oxhp.com/main/united.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061015225306/https://www.oxhp.com/main/united.html |archive-date=October 15, 2006 |access-date=October 7, 2025 |website=oxhp.com}}</ref>
In December 2005, the company acquired PacifiCare Health Systems.<ref>{{Cite news |title=UnitedHealth Group Completes Merger with PacifiCare Health Systems, Inc. |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20051221005166/en/UnitedHealth-Group-Completes-Merger-PacifiCare-Health-Systems |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623161803/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20051221005166/en/UnitedHealth-Group-Completes-Merger-PacifiCare-Health-Systems |archive-date=June 23, 2019 |access-date=October 7, 2025 |language=en}}</ref> It agreed to divest parts of PacifiCare's commercial health insurance business in Tucson, Arizona and Boulder, Colorado to satisfy antitrust regulator concerns, and also agreed to end its network access agreement with Blue Shield of California. The Tucson business was sold to Cigna.<ref>{{Cite news |last=BETHELY |first=JONATHAN G. |date=July 10, 2006 |title=United spins off members to Cigna |url=https://amednews.com/article/20060710/business/307109992/6/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623161745/https://amednews.com/article/20060710/business/307109992/6/ |archive-date=June 23, 2019 |access-date=June 23, 2019 |work=American Medical News}}</ref> The company acquired Prescription Solutions, another pharmacy benefits manager, as part of its acquisition of PacifiCare Health Systems.<ref name="2005 Annual Report" /> This business was later rebranded OptumRx.
In February 2006, the company acquired John Deere Health Care.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Luna |first=Kay |date=February 25, 2006 |title=Deere completes sale of health care operations |url=https://qctimes.com/business/deere-completes-sale-of-health-care-operations/article_6f6eac62-8d17-51fa-accd-f914719d9b38.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623161741/https://qctimes.com/business/deere-completes-sale-of-health-care-operations/article_6f6eac62-8d17-51fa-accd-f914719d9b38.html |archive-date=June 23, 2019 |access-date=June 23, 2019 |work=Quad-City Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=UnitedHealth Group to Purchase John Deere Health Care; Builds on John Deere Health Care 20-Year Service History to Important Local Customers; Advances Efforts to Make Health Care Services More Affordable, More Available and Easier to Use |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20051206005552/en/UnitedHealth-Group-Purchase-John-Deere-Health-Care |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623161752/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20051206005552/en/UnitedHealth-Group-Purchase-John-Deere-Health-Care |archive-date=June 23, 2019 |access-date=October 7, 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=DeWitt |first=Jennifer |date=December 6, 2005 |title=UnitedHealthcare to buy John Deere Health Care; jobs to remain in Q-C |url=https://qctimes.com/news/local/unitedhealthcare-to-buy-john-deere-health-care-jobs-to-remain/article_ba86dcb4-0bc1-5e27-96b7-ada8f3d3f535.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623161747/https://qctimes.com/news/local/unitedhealthcare-to-buy-john-deere-health-care-jobs-to-remain/article_ba86dcb4-0bc1-5e27-96b7-ada8f3d3f535.html |archive-date=June 23, 2019 |access-date=June 23, 2019 |work=Quad-City Times}}</ref> The same year, William W. McGuire stepped down as chairman and director due to his involvement in the employee stock options scandal.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 15, 2006 |title=Chief executive at U.S. health insurer forced out - Business - International Herald Tribune (Published 2006) |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/16/business/worldbusiness/16iht-web.1016united.3168637.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250304223608/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/16/business/worldbusiness/16iht-web.1016united.3168637.html |archive-date=March 4, 2025 |access-date=October 7, 2025 |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref> He was replaced by CEO Stephen Hemsley who had served as president and COO and a member of the board of directors. McGuire's exit compensation from UnitedHealth was anticipated to be $1.1 billion,<ref>{{Cite web |title=How William McGuire earned that fat paycheck {{!}} Chron.com - Houston Chronicle |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/biz/4318193.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080329042755/http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/biz/4318193.html |archive-date=March 29, 2008 |access-date=October 7, 2025 |website=Houston Chronicle |language=en}}</ref> but he only received $618 million after returning $420 million in stock options.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Phelps |first=David |date=December 6, 2007 |title=McGuire pays again, ends SEC's inquiry |url=https://www.startribune.com/mcguire-pays-big-to-end-inquiry/12234411/ |access-date=May 21, 2023 |work=Star Tribune |archive-date=May 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522034622/https://www.startribune.com/mcguire-pays-big-to-end-inquiry/12234411/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In February 2008, the company acquired Sierra Health Services for $2.6 billion.<ref>{{Cite news |title=UnitedHealth Group Completes Acquisition of Sierra Health Services |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20080225006528/en/UnitedHealth-Group-Completes-Acquisition-Sierra-Health-Services |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623161752/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20080225006528/en/UnitedHealth-Group-Completes-Acquisition-Sierra-Health-Services |archive-date=June 23, 2019 |access-date=October 7, 2025 |language=en}}</ref> As part of the transaction, to obtain regulatory approval, 25,000 customers were sold to Humana.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Crowell & Moring's Antitrust Group Represents Sierra Health Services in UnitedHealth Group's $2.6 Billion Acquisition |url=https://www.crowell.com/NewsEvents/PressReleasesAnnouncements/Crowell-Morings-Antitrust-Group-Represents-Sierra-Health-Services-in-UnitedHealth-Groups-26-Billion-Acquisition |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315041733/https://www.crowell.com/NewsEvents/PressReleasesAnnouncements/Crowell-Morings-Antitrust-Group-Represents-Sierra-Health-Services-in-UnitedHealth-Groups-26-Billion-Acquisition |archive-date=March 15, 2016 |access-date=October 7, 2025 |website=crowell.com |language=en}}</ref> In July 2009, UnitedHealth Group agreed to acquire Health Net's Northeast licensed subsidiaries for up to $570 million in payments spread out over two years.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hall |first=Jessica |date=July 20, 2009 |title=UPDATE 2-UnitedHealth to buy some Health Net operations |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/healthnet/update-2-unitedhealth-to-buy-some-health-net-operations-idUSN2014793120090720 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623021140/https://www.reuters.com/article/healthnet/update-2-unitedhealth-to-buy-some-health-net-operations-idUSN2014793120090720 |archive-date=June 23, 2019 |access-date=June 23, 2019 |work=Reuters}}</ref>
=== 2010s === Through 2010 and into 2011, senior executives of the company met monthly with executives of other health insurers to limit the effect of the health care reform law.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Armstrong |first=Drew |date=January 31, 2011 |title=UnitedHealth Joins WellPoint to Hone Health-Law Lobby |url=http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-31/unitedhealth-joins-wellpoint-in-alliance-aiming-to-hone-health-law-lobby.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821200014/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-31/unitedhealth-joins-wellpoint-in-alliance-aiming-to-hone-health-law-lobby.html |archive-date=August 21, 2014 |access-date=October 7, 2025 |publisher=Bloomberg L.P. |language=en}}</ref> In July 2010, Ingenix acquired Picis Clinical Solutions, Inc., a health information provider for the high-acuity areas of hospitals.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ingenix to Acquire Picis |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100722005858/en/Ingenix-Acquire-Picis |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623021143/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100722005858/en/Ingenix-Acquire-Picis |archive-date=June 23, 2019 |access-date=October 7, 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=CONN |first=JOSEPH |date=July 22, 2010 |title=Ingenix to acquire Picis |url=https://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20100722/NEWS/307229975/ingenix-to-acquire-picis |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623161747/https://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20100722/NEWS/307229975/ingenix-to-acquire-picis |archive-date=June 23, 2019 |access-date=October 7, 2025 |website=Modern Healthcare |language=en}}</ref> In 2011, Logistics Health, Inc. of La Crosse, Wisconsin, was acquired by OptumHealth.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Don Weber speaks out on LHI sale |url=http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/don-weber-speaks-out-on-lhi-sale/article_6e5b74ca-68a7-11e0-9d4a-001cc4c03286.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705080414/http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/don-weber-speaks-out-on-lhi-sale/article_6e5b74ca-68a7-11e0-9d4a-001cc4c03286.html |archive-date=July 5, 2016 |access-date=October 7, 2025 |work=La Crosse Tribune |language=en}}</ref> In September 2014, the office buildings where LHI is based were sold to UnitedHealth Group for $45 million.<ref>{{Cite news |last=WKBT |title=Don Weber sells 3 Riverside Center buildings in La Crosse |url=http://www.news8000.com/news/3-riverside-center-buildings-for-sale/28078164 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508232134/http://www.news8000.com/news/3-riverside-center-buildings-for-sale/28078164 |archive-date=May 8, 2016 |access-date=October 7, 2025 |publisher=WKBT}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Riverside Center buildings sold for $45 million |url=http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/riverside-center-buildings-sold-for-million/article_3298502f-3f71-5296-aadd-7724470d7178.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903115129/http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/riverside-center-buildings-sold-for-million/article_3298502f-3f71-5296-aadd-7724470d7178.html |archive-date=September 3, 2017 |access-date=October 7, 2025 |work=La Crosse Tribune |language=en}}</ref> In February 2012, the company acquired XLHealth, a sponsor of Medicare Advantage health plans with a primary focus on medicare recipients with special needs such as those with chronic illness and those eligible for Medicaid ("dual eligibles").<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barr |first=Paul |date=February 9, 2012 |title=UnitedHealthcare completes XLHealth deal |url=https://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20120209/NEWS/302099981/unitedhealthcare-completes-xlhealth-deal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623021150/https://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20120209/NEWS/302099981/unitedhealthcare-completes-xlhealth-deal |archive-date=June 23, 2019 |access-date=October 7, 2025 |website=Modern Healthcare |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Janny |first=Nguyen |date=August 15, 2022 |title=fb777 |url=https://fb777.dev/ |access-date=October 7, 2025 |website=fb777.dev |language=en-US}}</ref> In October 2012, UnitedHealth Group and Amil Participações, one of the biggest Brazilian health insurance companies, completed the first phase of their merger.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UnitedHealth Group, Amil Complete First Phase of Combination|url=https://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/newsroom/2012/1029amil.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623021144/https://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/newsroom/2012/1029amil.html|archive-date=June 23, 2019|access-date=October 7, 2025|website=UnitedHealth Group|language=en|quote=UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) and Amil Participações S.A. (BM&FBOVESPA: AMIL3) announced today that the companies have completed the first phase of their combination. The combination is expected to create a new growth platform for UnitedHealth Group's benefits and services companies and will enable Amil to bring advanced technology, a tradition of consumer-focused innovation, modern service and clinical programs to further advance health care in Brazil.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Humer |first=Caroline |date=October 8, 2012 |title=UnitedHealth to buy most of Brazil's Amil for $4.9 billion |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-unitedhealth-takeover-amil-idUSBRE8970E120121008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623021142/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-unitedhealth-takeover-amil-idUSBRE8970E120121008 |archive-date=June 23, 2019 |access-date=June 23, 2019 |work=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Mathews|first1=Anna Wilde|last2=Kamp|first2=Jon|date=October 8, 2012|title=UnitedHealth to Buy 90% of Brazil's Amil for $4.3 Billion|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10000872396390444897304578044390351511894|url-access=subscription|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623021141/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10000872396390444897304578044390351511894|archive-date=June 23, 2019|access-date=June 23, 2019|work=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref>
[[File:LHI buildings.jpg|thumb|Former LHI (now Optum Serve) buildings in La Crosse]]
In February 2014, Optum secured a majority stake in the Washington, D.C.–based startup Audax Health.<ref name="Farr">{{Cite news |last=Farr |first=Christina |date=February 19, 2014 |title=Audax Health's 24-year-old CEO sells majority stake to UnitedHealth |url=https://venturebeat.com/2014/02/19/audax-healths-24-year-old-ceo-sells-majority-stake-in-the-company-to-unitedhealth/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121232821/https://venturebeat.com/2014/02/19/audax-healths-24-year-old-ceo-sells-majority-stake-in-the-company-to-unitedhealth/ |archive-date=January 21, 2019 |access-date=January 21, 2019 |work=VentureBeat}}</ref> Audax's CEO, Grant Verstandig, continued running the firm alongside COO David Ko.<ref name="Farr" /> In October 2014, Optum Health acquired the health services unit of Alere for $600 million cash.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Optum, Alere Health to Combine to Help Health Plans, Employers and States Improve Population Health, Reduce Health Care Costs|url=https://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/newsroom/2014/1028optumalere.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214114408/https://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/newsroom/2014/1028optumalere.html|archive-date=December 14, 2018|access-date=October 7, 2025|website=UnitedHealth Group|language=en}}</ref>
In March 2015, it was announced that CatamaranRx would be acquired by OptumRx.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 30, 2015 |title=UnitedHealth to Buy Catamaran for $12.8 Billion in Cash |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/unitedhealth-to-buy-catamaran-for-12-8-billion-in-cash-1427709601 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170430104640/https://www.wsj.com/articles/unitedhealth-to-buy-catamaran-for-12-8-billion-in-cash-1427709601 |archive-date=April 30, 2017 |work=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref> In April 2016, the company announced it was pulling out of all but a "handful" of state healthcare exchanges provided under Affordable Care Act and will continue to sell only in three states in 2017.<ref>{{Cite news |title=UnitedHealth Group to exit Obamacare exchanges in all but a 'handful' of states |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/04/19/unitedhealth-group-to-exit-obamacare-exchanges-in-all-but-a-handful-of-states/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919170750/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/04/19/unitedhealth-group-to-exit-obamacare-exchanges-in-all-but-a-handful-of-states/ |archive-date=September 19, 2016 |access-date=October 7, 2025 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Encumbered exchange |url=https://www.economist.com/news/united-states/21706527-obamacares-future-not-yet-secure-encumbered-exchange |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160916132509/http://www.economist.com/news/united-states/21706527-obamacares-future-not-yet-secure-encumbered-exchange |archive-date=September 16, 2016 |newspaper=The Economist |issn=0013-0613}}</ref>
In 2017, UnitedHealth's Optum unit acquired Rally Health,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Court |first=Emma |title=The CMO of a health-tech firm inside America's largest health insurer told us why pop-ups and celebs like Katie Couric are key to her 3-part marketing strategy |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/marketing-strategy-unitedhealth-groups-rally-health-cmo-brenda-yang-2019-8 |access-date=March 4, 2020 |website=Business Insider |archive-date=December 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209182730/https://www.businessinsider.com/marketing-strategy-unitedhealth-groups-rally-health-cmo-brenda-yang-2019-8 |url-status=live }}</ref> a company started by Audax Health's executives.<ref name="Rauber">{{Cite news |last=Rauber |first=Chris |date=February 3, 2015 |title=San Francisco's Rally Health startup launches online wellness platform |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/morning_call/2015/02/san-franciscosrally-health-startup-launches-online.html?page=all |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150224213021/http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/morning_call/2015/02/san-franciscosrally-health-startup-launches-online.html?page=all |archive-date=February 24, 2015 |access-date=January 21, 2019 |work=American City Business Journals}}</ref> Prior to acquisition, in 2015, UnitedHealth supported Rally Health as a majority investor,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fried |first=Ina |author-link=Ina Fried |date=February 2, 2015 |title=Former Zynga Executive David Ko Thinks He Can Turn Health Care Into a Game — And Win |url=https://www.recode.net/2015/02/02/former-zynga-executive-david-ko-thinks-he-can-turn-health-care-into-a-game-and-win/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414013643/http://recode.net/2015/02/02/former-zynga-executive-david-ko-thinks-he-can-turn-health-care-into-a-game-and-win/ |archive-date=April 14, 2016 |access-date=January 21, 2019 |work=Re/code}}</ref> and through enrolling more than 5 million UnitedHealth policy holders in Rally Health's flagship product, Rally.<ref name="Rauber"/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kaul |first=Greta |date=February 3, 2015 |title=Startup Rally Health wants to play games with your health |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/Startup-Rally-Health-wants-to-play-games-with-6057636.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121232629/https://www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/Startup-Rally-Health-wants-to-play-games-with-6057636.php |archive-date=January 21, 2019 |access-date=January 21, 2019 |work=San Francisco Chronicle}}</ref><ref group="nt">Also referred to as Rally.({{Cite news |last=Staff |date=February 3, 2015 |title=Rally Health Launches Digital Wellness Platform With Over 5M People |url=https://hitconsultant.net/2015/02/03/rally-health-launches-digital-health-platform/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121232808/https://hitconsultant.net/2015/02/03/rally-health-launches-digital-health-platform/ |archive-date=January 21, 2019 |access-date=January 21, 2019 |work=HIT Consultant}})</ref> The close relations between UnitedHealth, Audax Health and Rally Health follows a close personal relationship between Grant Verstandig (Audax and Rally) and UnitedHealth's President and CFO at the time, David Wichmann.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Moukheiber |first=Zina |date=February 3, 2015 |title=UnitedHealth Group Launches Wellness Program Tied To Premiums |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/zinamoukheiber/2015/02/03/unitedhealth-group-launches-wellness-program-tied-to-premiums/ |url-status=live |journal=Forbes |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121232657/https://www.forbes.com/sites/zinamoukheiber/2015/02/03/unitedhealth-group-launches-wellness-program-tied-to-premiums/#47572c396194 |archive-date=January 21, 2019 |access-date=January 21, 2019}}</ref>
In June 2019, UnitedHealth's Optum division acquired DaVita Medical Group from DaVita, Inc. for $4.3 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Optum completes acquisition of DaVita Medical Group from DaVita |url=https://www.optum.com/about/news/optum-completes-acquisition-davita.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190622155110/https://www.optum.com/about/news/optum-completes-acquisition-davita.html |archive-date=June 22, 2019 |access-date=October 7, 2025 |website=optum.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Optum Completes Acquisition of DaVita Medical Group from DaVita |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190619005805/en/Optum-Completes-Acquisition-DaVita-Medical-Group-DaVita |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623021142/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190619005805/en/Optum-Completes-Acquisition-DaVita-Medical-Group-DaVita |archive-date=June 23, 2019 |access-date=October 7, 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Wittenberg |first=Alex |date=June 19, 2019 |title=UnitedHealth completes $4.3 billion acquisition of DaVita physician group |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2019/06/19/unitedhealth-completes-4-billion-acquisition-of.html |access-date=October 8, 2025 |work=American City Business Journals |archive-date=October 19, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251019022809/https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2019/06/19/unitedhealth-completes-4-billion-acquisition-of.html |url-status=live }}</ref> That year, the company also agreed to acquire Equian for $3.2 billion.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lombardo |first=Cara |date=June 20, 2019 |title=UnitedHealth Agrees to Buy Payments Firm Equian for $3.2 Billion |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/unitedhealth-agrees-to-buy-payments-firm-equian-for-3-2-billion-11561071058 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623024304/https://www.wsj.com/articles/unitedhealth-agrees-to-buy-payments-firm-equian-for-3-2-billion-11561071058 |archive-date=June 23, 2019 |access-date=June 23, 2019 |work=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Acharya |first=Bhargav |date=June 20, 2019 |title=UnitedHealth to buy healthcare payments firm Equian for $3.2 billion: WSJ |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-equian-m-a-unitedhealth/unitedhealth-to-buy-healthcare-payments-firm-equian-for-32-billion-wsj-idUSKCN1TL300 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623021141/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-equian-m-a-unitedhealth/unitedhealth-to-buy-healthcare-payments-firm-equian-for-32-billion-wsj-idUSKCN1TL300 |archive-date=June 23, 2019 |access-date=June 23, 2019 |work=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Reilly |first=Mark |date=June 21, 2019 |title=UnitedHealth to buy health-payments business Equian for $3.2B, report says |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2019/06/21/unitedhealth-to-buy-health-payments-business.html |access-date=October 8, 2025 |work=American City Business Journals |archive-date=October 19, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251019022811/https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2019/06/21/unitedhealth-to-buy-health-payments-business.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On June 19, 2019, UnitedHealth acquired the online patient community platform PatientsLikeMe for an undisclosed amount and it will be incorporated into UnitedHealth Group's research division.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Lovett |first1=Laura |last2=Muoio |first2=Dave |date=June 24, 2019 |title=UnitedHealth Group acquires PatientsLikeMe |url=https://www.mobihealthnews.com/content/unitedhealth-group-acquires-patientslikeme |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712141035/https://www.mobihealthnews.com/content/unitedhealth-group-acquires-patientslikeme |archive-date=July 12, 2019 |access-date=June 26, 2019 |work=MobiHealthNews |publisher=HIMSS Media}}</ref>
In November 2019, Andrew Witty was named president of UnitedHealth Group, in addition to his role as chief executive of the company's Optum division.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UnitedHealth Group names Optum CEO as president |url=https://www.startribune.com/unitedhealth-group-names-new-president/564813482/ |access-date=June 8, 2020 |website=Star Tribune|date=November 13, 2019 }}</ref>
=== 2020s–present === UnitedHealth announced in March 2022 that it would acquire LHC Group for $5.4 billion. The deal will expand its home health capabilities by combining LHC's services with UnitedHealth's Optum unit.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 29, 2022 |title=UnitedHealth to buy LHC Group for $5.4 billion in home healthcare push |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/unitedhealth-buy-lhc-group-about-54-billion-2022-03-29/ |access-date=October 7, 2025 |work=Reuters |language=en |archive-date=September 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230914193928/https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/unitedhealth-buy-lhc-group-about-54-billion-2022-03-29/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2022, UnitedHealth Group said there would be no out-of-pocket costs for albuterol, epinephrine, glucagon, insulin, and naloxone for fully insured members starting in 2023. The discounts were guaranteed for less than a quarter of UnitedHealthcare's membership and did not extend to those enrolled in UHC's Medicare Advantage and Medicaid plans.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Bannow|first1=Tara|date=July 15, 2022|title=UnitedHealthcare to offer $0 insulin, Epi-Pens, but only for some members|url=https://www.statnews.com/2022/07/15/unitedhealthcare-to-offer-0-insulin-epi-pens-but-only-for-some-members/|access-date=October 7, 2025|website=STAT|language=en-US|last2=Herman|first2=Bob|archive-date=July 26, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250726084759/https://www.statnews.com/2022/07/15/unitedhealthcare-to-offer-0-insulin-epi-pens-but-only-for-some-members/|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2023, UnitedHealthGroup announced it would move its headquarters from Minnetonka to Eden Prairie, Minnesota.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Snowbeck |first=Christopher |date=September 18, 2023 |title=UnitedHealth Group moves Minnesota headquarters from Minnetonka to Eden Prairie |url=https://www.startribune.com/unitedhealth-group-moves-minnesota-headquarters-minnetonka-eden-prairie-optum-healthcare-real-estate/600305526 |access-date=October 7, 2025 |website=Star Tribune |language=en |archive-date=October 3, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251003202056/https://www.startribune.com/unitedhealth-group-moves-minnesota-headquarters-minnetonka-eden-prairie-optum-healthcare-real-estate/600305526 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In February 2024, UnitedHealth Group completed the sale of its operations in Brazil.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Inline XBRL Viewer |url=https://www.sec.gov/ixviewer/ix.html?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/731766/000073176624000028/unh-20240206.htm |access-date=October 7, 2025 |website=sec.gov}}</ref>
In February 2022, UnitedHealth announced the acquisition of Change Healthcare, the largest health payments platform in the US, which the US Justice Department tried to block on antitrust grounds; the sale went through by September.<ref name="ReutersAntitrust">{{Cite news |date=February 27, 2024 |title=US launches antitrust investigation into UnitedHealth, WSJ reports |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-launches-antitrust-investigation-into-unitedhealth-wsj-reports-2024-02-27/ |access-date=May 1, 2024 |publisher=Reuters}}</ref> 18 months later, in February 2024, the subsidiary was brought completely down by the 2024 Change Healthcare ransomware attack, and the Justice Department announced that it was opening a new antitrust and Medicare overcharging probe.<ref name=ReutersAntitrust/> Despite making a ransomware payment, services remained down or incomplete for months. The CEO, Andrew Witty, was called before the US House and US Senate to testify about the cyberattack and DoJ concerns.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 30, 2024 |title=UnitedHealth hackers used stolen login credentials to break in, CEO says |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/cybersecurity/unitedhealth-hackers-took-advantage-citrix-vulnerabilty-break-ceo-says-2024-04-29/ |access-date=May 1, 2024 |publisher=Reuters}}</ref> In late April 2024, the Senate held a hearing concerning the cyberattack and UnitedHealth's response. Andrew Witty went before the Senate stating that there needed to be a strong digital security system in place along with an adequate backup plan. UnitedHealth revealed the hackers did gain access to patient information, but the Senate was informed the company is not yet aware of the extent of the data breach.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Abelson |first1=Reed |last2=Weiland |first2=Noah |date=May 1, 2024 |title=Senators Slam UnitedHealth's C.E.O. Over Cyberattack |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/01/health/united-health-cyberattack-senate.html |access-date=May 13, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240513194850/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/01/health/united-health-cyberattack-senate.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
====Killing of Brian Thompson==== [[File:UnitedHealthcare Corporate Headquarters, December 8 2024 (54191437643).jpg|thumb|Police outside the corporate headquarters in Minnetonka, Minnesota, on December 8, 2024]] On December 4, 2024, Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealth Group's insurance subsidiary UnitedHealthcare, was killed in a shooting in New York City.<ref name="Lukpat">{{cite news |last1=Lukpat |first1=Alyssa |last2=Wernau |first2=Julie |last3=Wilde Matthews |first3=Anna |date=December 4, 2024 |title=UnitedHealth Executive Shot Dead in Targeted Attack Outside Manhattan Hotel |url=https://www.wsj.com/health/healthcare/unitedhealthcare-ceo-brian-thomspon-shot-killed-c0358c5e?mod=WSJ_home_mediumtopper_pos_1 |access-date=December 4, 2024 |work=The Wall Street Journal |archive-date=December 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241219032637/https://www.wsj.com/health/healthcare/unitedhealthcare-ceo-brian-thomspon-shot-killed-c0358c5e?mod=WSJ_home_mediumtopper_pos_1 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Myles |last2=Tozzi |first2=John |title=UnitedHealth Executive Fatally Shot in NYC on Investor Day |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-12-04/unitedhealthcare-ceo-brian-thompson-fatally-shot-in-manhattan?srnd=homepage-americas |access-date=December 4, 2024 |work=Bloomberg.com |date=December 4, 2024 |language=en}}</ref> The shooting occurred outside the New York Hilton Midtown, where UnitedHealth Group was hosting an investor event.<ref name="Lukpat"/> Reactions to the shooting on social media were defined by resentment and criticism of UnitedHealthcare, the American health insurance system, and widespread disdain towards Thompson.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://gizmodo.com/bitter-americans-react-to-unitedhealthcare-ceos-murder-my-empathy-is-out-of-network-2000534520|title=Bitter Americans React to UnitedHealthcare CEO's Murder: 'My Empathy Is Out of Network'|last=Novak|first=Matt|date=December 4, 2024|work=Gizmodo|access-date=December 5, 2024|archive-date=December 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241205013511/https://gizmodo.com/bitter-americans-react-to-unitedhealthcare-ceos-murder-my-empathy-is-out-of-network-2000534520|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dailydot.com/debug/unitedhealth-ceo-brian-thompson-memes/|title=Grim memes highlight bleak state of insurance in wake of UnitedHealth CEO shooting|last=Thalen|first=Mikael|date=December 4, 2024|work=Daily Dot|access-date=December 5, 2024|archive-date=December 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241205140737/http://www.dailydot.com/debug/unitedhealth-ceo-brian-thompson-memes/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Klee |first=Miles |date=December 4, 2024 |title=Social Media Has Little Sympathy for Murdered Health Insurance Exec |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/health-insurance-murder-reactions-1235192490/ |access-date=December 5, 2024 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US |archive-date=April 1, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250401081401/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/health-insurance-murder-reactions-1235192490/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Glenza |first=Jessica |date=December 5, 2024 |title=Brian Thompson's killing sparks outrage over state of US healthcare |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/05/unitedhealthcare-brian-thompson-killing-online-reaction |access-date=October 7, 2025 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Police later arrested a suspect, Luigi Mangione, and charged him with murder.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Cameron |first=Dell |title=Police Arrest UHC CEO Shooting Suspect, App Developer Luigi Mangione |url=https://www.wired.com/story/luigi-mangione-arrested-uhc-shooting/ |access-date=October 7, 2025 |magazine=Wired |language=en-US |issn=1059-1028}}</ref> Tim Noel joined UnitedHealthcare in 2007<ref name="Constantino">{{cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/23/unitedhealthcare-names-tim-noel-new-ceo-after-brian-thompson-killing.html|title=UnitedHealthcare taps company veteran Tim Noel as new CEO following Brian Thompson killing|first=Annika Kim|last=Constantino|publisher=CNBC|date=January 23, 2025|accessdate=January 24, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/23/business/unitedhealthcare-new-ceo/index.html|title=UnitedHealthcare has a new CEO|first=Ramishah|last=Maruf|publisher=CNN|date=January 23, 2025|accessdate=January 24, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.statnews.com/2025/01/23/unitedhealth-group-names-tim-noel-ceo-health-insurance-business/|title=UnitedHealth Group promotes Tim Noel to CEO of health insurance business|first=Bob|last=Herman|website=statnews.com|publisher=Stat News|date=January 23, 2025|accessdate=January 24, 2025|archive-date=January 24, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124002020/https://www.statnews.com/2025/01/23/unitedhealth-group-names-tim-noel-ceo-health-insurance-business/|url-status=live}}</ref> and succeeded Brian Thompson as the CEO. Prior to becoming CEO, Noel was in charge of UnitedHealthcare's Medicare Advantage plans.<ref name="Constantino"/><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Abelson |first1=Reed |last2=Sanger-Katz |first2=Margot |date=January 30, 2023 |title=New Medicare Rule Aims to Take Back $4.7 Billion From Insurers (Published 2023) |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/30/upshot/medicare-overbilling-biden-rule.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250410015702/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/30/upshot/medicare-overbilling-biden-rule.html |archive-date=April 10, 2025 |access-date=October 7, 2025 |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Goldstein |first1=Steve |last2=Laise |first2=Eleanor |date=June 14, 2023 |title=Older adults are finally catching up on delayed surgeries. That means pain for health insurers, gains for hospital operators. |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/WP-MKTW-0002173539 |accessdate=January 24, 2025 |work=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref>
====Further events==== In November 2025, Scott Gottlieb, the former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, joined UnitedHealth Group's board of directors.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/former-fda-commissioner-scott-gottlieb-joins-unitedhealth-board-2025-11-18/ |title=UnitedHealth names former US FDA chief Scott Gottlieb to its board |date=November 18, 2025 |publisher=Reuters}}</ref>
==Organizational structure==
UnitedHealth Group has about 2700 subsidiaries and affiliates<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 16, 2025 |title=UnitedHealth Has 2,694 Subsidiaries and Affiliates. Is It Too Big to Manage? |url=https://prospect.org/api/content/c806931c-61c4-11f0-afec-1248ae80e59d/ |access-date=August 16, 2025 |website=The American Prospect |language=en-us}}</ref> worldwide,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Newitt |first=Patsy |date=July 17, 2025 |title=UnitedHealth's 90,000 physicians, 423 ASCs and 2,700 subsidiaries: 5 notes |url=https://www.beckersasc.com/asc-transactions-and-valuation-issues/unitedhealths-90000-physicians-423-ascs-and-2700-subsidiaries-5-notes/ |access-date=August 16, 2025 |website=Becker’s ASC |language=en-US |quote=UnitedHealth’s most aggressive acquisition efforts began in 2010, focusing on clinical services. Today, the breakdown of its subsidiaries by category includes: 2,050+ clinical entities 200+ insurance-related businesses 150+ international assets 100+ pharmacy companies 100+ other support services 4. Key acquisitions shaping the ASC and physician landscape Several high-profile deals have cemented UnitedHealth’s reach into physician services and outpatient care: Surgical Care Affiliates (SCA Health): Acquired for $2.3 billion in 2017 DaVita Medical Group: $3.4 billion in 2019 Equian (payment integrity firm): $3.2 billion in 2019 Landmark Health (home-based medical care): $3.5 billion in 2021 Change Healthcare (claims, data): $8 billion in 2023 LHC Group (home health/hospice): $5.4 billion in 2023 |archive-date=August 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250812062809/https://www.beckersasc.com/asc-transactions-and-valuation-issues/unitedhealths-90000-physicians-423-ascs-and-2700-subsidiaries-5-notes/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Read the Report |url=https://www.sunlightreportinsurance.com/about |access-date=August 16, 2025 |website=Sunlight Report on UnitedHealth Group |language=en |quote=The Sunlight Report on UnitedHealth Group is a first-of-its-kind look at the nearly 2,700 acquisitions and internally created subsidiaries that make up UnitedHealth Group, the largest health care conglomerate in the world. |archive-date=July 20, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250720180657/https://www.sunlightreportinsurance.com/about |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=UnitedHealth Has 2,694 Subsidiaries and Affiliates. Is It Too Big to Manage? |url=https://pnhp.org/news/unitedhealth-has-2694-subsidiaries-and-affiliates-is-it-too-big-to-manage/ |access-date=August 16, 2025 |website=PNHP |language=en-US |archive-date=August 19, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250819111618/https://pnhp.org/news/unitedhealth-has-2694-subsidiaries-and-affiliates-is-it-too-big-to-manage/ |url-status=live }}</ref> the highest profile being Optum and UnitedHealthcare.
===Optum=== {{Main|Optum}}
Formed in 2011, Optum says that it provides "data and analytics, pharmacy care services, population health, healthcare delivery, and healthcare operations".<ref name="Byers">{{Cite web |last=Byers |first=Jeff |date=April 12, 2018 |title=Optum A Step Ahead in Vertical Integration Frenzy |url=https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/optum-unitedhealth-vertical-integration-walmart/520410/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204032511/https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/optum-unitedhealth-vertical-integration-walmart/520410/ |archive-date=February 4, 2023 |access-date=April 27, 2023 |website=Healthcare Dive |language=en}}</ref>
It is organized into three businesses: * OptumHealth – provides primary and secondary care.<ref name="Byers" /><ref>{{Cite news |title=Factbox: Which CVS rivals also own primary care services |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/which-cvs-rivals-also-own-primary-care-services-2023-02-08/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419191633/https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/which-cvs-rivals-also-own-primary-care-services-2023-02-08/ |archive-date=April 19, 2023 |access-date=October 7, 2025 |work=Reuters |language=en-US}}</ref> * OptumInsight – provides data analytics, technology, and operations services.<ref name="Byers" /> * OptumRX – provides pharmacy services.<ref name="Byers" />
===UnitedHealthcare=== {{Redirect|UnitedHealthcare|the cycling teams|UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling}}thumb|Logo for UnitedHealthcare UnitedHealthcare (UHC) is an insurance and managed care company with four main divisions: * UnitedHealthcare Employer and Individual – provides health benefit plans and services for large national employers and individuals. * UnitedHealthcare Medicare and Retirement – provides health and well-being services to individuals age 65 and older.<ref name="FY20-Q4">{{Cite web |date=December 31, 2021 |title=UnitedHealth Group Annual Report 2021 |url=https://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/content/dam/UHG/PDF/investors/2021/UNH-Q4-2021-Release.pdf |access-date=December 31, 2021 |website=UnitedHealth Group Incorporated |publisher=UnitedHealth |archive-date=January 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120013900/https://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/content/dam/UHG/PDF/investors/2021/UNH-Q4-2021-Release.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> * UnitedHealthcare Community and State – serves state programs that care for the economically disadvantaged, the medically underserved, and people without the benefit of employer-funded health care coverage, in exchange for a monthly premium per member from the state program.<ref name="FY20-Q4" />
== Finance == thumb|{{center|'''Quarterly earnings'''}} {{legend-line|#61D836 solid 3px|Net income (left) {{legend|#7FAD7B|Revenue (right)|outline=#5E5E5E}} }} For the fiscal year 2022, UnitedHealth Group reported earnings of US$20.64 billion, with an annual revenue of US$324.16 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 31, 2022 |title=Form 10-K |url=https://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/content/dam/UHG/PDF/investors/2022/UNH-Q4-2022-Form-10-K.pdf |access-date=March 7, 2023 |publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission |archive-date=March 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309190915/https://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/content/dam/UHG/PDF/investors/2022/UNH-Q4-2022-Form-10-K.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> UnitedHealth Group's 2023 revenue grew by $47.5 billion, or 14.6%, on annualized revenue of $371.6 billion. Operating income for 2023 was $32.4 billion (up 13.8%). Cash flows from operations were $29.1 billion.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=UnitedHealth Group Reports 2023 Results |date=January 12, 2024 |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240112297126/en/UnitedHealth-Group-Reports-2023-Results |access-date=February 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126092438/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240112297126/en/UnitedHealth-Group-Reports-2023-Results |archive-date=January 26, 2024 |lang=en |website=BusinessWire}}</ref> UnitedHealth Group’s 2024 revenues grew $28.7 billion or 8% year-over-year to $400.3 billion. Earnings from operations of $32.3 billion compared to $32.4 billion in 2023. Cash flows from operations were $24.2 billion.<ref>"[https://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/content/dam/UHG/PDF/investors/2024/2025-16-01-uhg-reports-fourth-quarter-results.pdf UnitedHealth Group Reports 2024 Results] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250624020131/https://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/content/dam/UHG/PDF/investors/2024/2025-16-01-uhg-reports-fourth-quarter-results.pdf |date=June 24, 2025 }}" (PDF). UnitedHealth Group. December 31, 2024. Retrieved June 13, 2025.</ref>
{| class="wikitable float-left" style="text-align: right;" |- !Year !Revenue<br />in million US$ !Net income<br />in million US$ !Total assets<br />in million US$ !Price per share<br />in US$ !Employees |- |2005<ref name="2005 Annual Report">{{Cite web |title=2005 Annual Report |url=https://www.annualreports.com/HostedData/AnnualReportArchive/u/NYSE_UNH_2005.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421064712/https://www.annualreports.com/HostedData/AnnualReportArchive/u/NYSE_UNH_2005.pdf |archive-date=April 21, 2017}}</ref> |46,425 |3,083 |41,288 |45.24 |55,000 |- |2006<ref>{{Cite web |title=2006 Annual Report |url=https://www.annualreports.com/HostedData/AnnualReportArchive/u/NYSE_UNH_2006.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421064332/https://www.annualreports.com/HostedData/AnnualReportArchive/u/NYSE_UNH_2006.pdf |archive-date=April 21, 2017}}</ref> |71,542 |4,159 |48,320 |44.83 |58,000 |- |2007<ref>{{Cite web |title=2007 Annual Report |url=https://www.annualreports.com/HostedData/AnnualReportArchive/u/NYSE_UNH_2007.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421071325/https://www.annualreports.com/HostedData/AnnualReportArchive/u/NYSE_UNH_2007.pdf |archive-date=April 21, 2017}}</ref> |75,431 |4,654 |50,899 |45.91 |67,000 |- |2008<ref>{{Cite web |title=Form 10-K |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/731766/000119312509025587/d10k.htm |access-date=January 12, 2025 |website=sec.gov |archive-date=January 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250112222556/https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/731766/000119312509025587/d10k.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> |81,186 |2,977 |55,815 |28.40 |75,000 |- |2009<ref>{{Cite web |title=2009 Annual Report |url=https://www.annualreports.com/HostedData/AnnualReportArchive/u/NYSE_UNH_2009.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024174806/https://www.annualreports.com/HostedData/AnnualReportArchive/u/NYSE_UNH_2009.pdf |archive-date=October 24, 2018}}</ref> |87,138 |3,822 |59,045 |23.10 |80,000 |- |2010<ref>{{Cite web |title=2010 Annual Report |url=https://www.annualreports.com/HostedData/AnnualReportArchive/u/NYSE_UNH_2010.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421064913/https://www.annualreports.com/HostedData/AnnualReportArchive/u/NYSE_UNH_2010.pdf |archive-date=April 21, 2017}}</ref> |94,155 |4,634 |63,063 |29.20 |87,000 |- |2011<ref>{{Cite web |title=2011 Annual Report |url=https://www.annualreports.com/HostedData/AnnualReportArchive/u/NYSE_UNH_2011.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421070406/https://www.annualreports.com/HostedData/AnnualReportArchive/u/NYSE_UNH_2011.pdf |archive-date=April 21, 2017}}</ref> |101,862 |5,142 |67,889 |41.68 |99,000 |- |2012<ref>{{Cite web |title=2012 Annual Report |url=https://www.annualreports.com/HostedData/AnnualReportArchive/u/NYSE_UNH_2012.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421064337/https://www.annualreports.com/HostedData/AnnualReportArchive/u/NYSE_UNH_2012.pdf |archive-date=April 21, 2017}}</ref> |110,618 |5,526 |80,885 |50.04 |133,000 |- |2013<ref>{{Cite web |title=2013 Annual Report |url=https://www.annualreports.com/HostedData/AnnualReportArchive/u/NYSE_UNH_2013.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421064718/https://www.annualreports.com/HostedData/AnnualReportArchive/u/NYSE_UNH_2013.pdf |archive-date=April 21, 2017}}</ref> |122,489 |5,625 |81,882 |60.29 |156,000 |- |2014<ref>{{Cite web |title=2014 Annual Report |url=https://www.annualreports.com/HostedData/AnnualReportArchive/u/NYSE_UNH_2014.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421065843/https://www.annualreports.com/HostedData/AnnualReportArchive/u/NYSE_UNH_2014.pdf |archive-date=April 21, 2017}}</ref> |130,474 |5,619 |86,382 |78.28 |170,000 |- |2015<ref>{{Cite web |title=2015 Annual Report |url=https://www.annualreports.com/HostedData/AnnualReportArchive/u/NYSE_UNH_2015.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118164733/https://www.annualreports.com/HostedData/AnnualReportArchive/u/NYSE_UNH_2015.pdf |archive-date=November 18, 2018}}</ref> |157,107 |5,813 |111,254 |111.06 |200,000 |- |2016<ref>{{Cite web |title=2016 Annual Report |url=https://www.annualreports.com/HostedData/AnnualReportArchive/u/NYSE_UNH_2016.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118164826/https://www.annualreports.com/HostedData/AnnualReportArchive/u/NYSE_UNH_2016.pdf |archive-date=November 18, 2018}}</ref> |184,840 |7,017 |122,810 |131.31 |230,000 |- |2017<ref>{{Cite web |title=Document |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/731766/000073176618000005/unh2017123110-k.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118164730/https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/731766/000073176618000005/unh2017123110-k.htm |archive-date=November 18, 2018 |access-date=June 2, 2019 |publisher=Sec.gov}}</ref> |201,159 |10,558 |139,058 |183.48 |260,000 |- |2018<ref>{{Cite web|title=UnitedHealth Group Incorporated 2018 Form 10-K Annual Report|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/731766/000073176619000005/unh2018123110-k.htm|website=United States Securities and Exchange Commission|publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission|access-date=January 31, 2026|archive-date=July 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712111453/https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/731766/000073176619000005/unh2018123110-k.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> |226,247 |11,986 |152,221 |245.88 |300,000 |- |2019<ref name="United">{{Cite web |title=Financial & Earnings Reports |url=https://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/investors/financial-reports.html |access-date=July 30, 2021 |website=unitedhealthgroup.com |language=en |archive-date=July 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730233633/https://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/investors/financial-reports.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |242,155 |13,839 |173,889 |249.59 |325,000 |- |2020<ref name="United" /> |257,141 |15,403 |197,289 |301.28 |330,000 |- |2021<ref name="United" /> |287,597 |17,285 |212,206 |403.71 |350,000 |- |2022<ref name="United" /> |324,162 |20,639 |245,705 |530.18 |400,000 |- |2023<ref name="United" /> |371,622 |23,144 |273,720 |526.47 |440,000 |- |2024<ref name="United" /> |400,278 |15,242 |298,278 |505.86 |400,000 |- |2025<ref name="United" /> |447,567 |12,807 |309,581 |330.11 |390,000 |}
== Lobbying and political activity == In 2009, according to OpenSecrets, people affiliated with UnitedHealth Group gave $4.77{{nbsp}}million to political candidates and groups.<ref name="OpenSecrets">{{Cite web |title=OpenSecrets Lobbying Activity-UnitedHealth Group |url=https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/unitedhealth-group/lobbying?id=D000000348 |access-date=October 8, 2025 |publisher=OpenSecrets |archive-date=August 27, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250827113450/https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/unitedhealth-group/lobbying?id=D000000348 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Affordable Care Act was being discussed in Congress at the time and was subsequently passed in the first quarter of 2010. In 2010 UnitedHealth Group hired nine different lobbying firms to work on its behalf.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UnitedHealth Group Hired Firms |url=https://www.opensecrets.org/federal-lobbying/clients/hired-firms?cycle=2010&id=D000000348 |access-date=October 7, 2025 |website=OpenSecrets |language=en}}</ref> In addition, its corporate political action committee (PAC), called United for Health, spent an additional $1{{nbsp}}million on lobbying activities.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 26, 2011 |title=UnitedHealth Group |url=http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/lookup2.php?strID=C00274431&cycle=2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111226155942/http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/lookup2.php?strID=C00274431&cycle=2010 |archive-date=December 26, 2011 |access-date=February 4, 2011 |publisher=OpenSecrets.}}</ref> UnitedHealth Group subsequently spent $4.11{{nbsp}}million to $4.75{{nbsp}}million from 2011 to 2021.<ref name="OpenSecrets" />
=== The Lewin Group === The Lewin Group is a policy research and consulting firm that provides an economic analysis of health care and human services issues and policies.<ref name="Becker">{{Citation |last=Becker |first=Cinda. |title=Ingenix Acquires Lewin Group |date=June 18, 2007 |work=Modern Healthcare |url=http://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20070618/SUB/70615029|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250305032657/https://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20070618/MAGAZINE/70615029/ingenix-acquires-lewin-group|archive-date=March 5, 2025}}</ref> The organization has existed for about 40 years and has maintained a nonpartisan reputation through the many ownership changes that have occurred over that time.<ref name="Becker" /> The Lewin Group was purchased in 2007 by Ingenix, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, but alleges editorial and analytical "independence" from UnitedHealth Group, its parent company.<ref name="Becker" /> The Lewin Group discloses its ownership in its reports and on its website. While the Lewin Group does not advocate for or against any legislation, both Democratic and Republican politicians frequently cite the firm's studies to argue for and against various U.S. healthcare reform proposals.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hilzenrah |first=David S. |date=July 23, 2009 |title=Insurer-Owned Consulting Firm Often Cited in Health Debate |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/22/AR2009072203696.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020174034/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/22/AR2009072203696.html |archive-date=October 20, 2017 |newspaper=The Washington Post }}</ref> For example, Democratic Senator Ron Wyden uses Lewin Group estimates to cite the feasibility of his Healthy Americans Act.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Independent Health Reform Analysis: Middle Class Wins Under Healthy Americans Act |date=September 17, 2008 |publisher=Ron Wyden |url=https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/independent-health-reform-analysis-middle-class-wins-under-healthy-americans-act |access-date=June 23, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623021139/https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/independent-health-reform-analysis-middle-class-wins-under-healthy-americans-act |archive-date=June 23, 2019}}</ref> Former U.S. Representative Eric Cantor, the former House Republican Whip, has referred to the organization as "the nonpartisan Lewin Group" in arguing against government-funded health insurance proposals.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}
Several Lewin studies have been used to argue both for and against the inclusion of a public option in national health reform. Lewin clients who often cite its findings include The Commonwealth Fund, which, in 2009, held up a Lewin study it commissioned<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Path to a High Performance U.S. Health System: A 2020 Vision and the Policies to Pave the Way - The Commonwealth Fund |url=http://www.commonwealthfund.org/Content/Publications/Fund-Reports/2009/Feb/The-Path-to-a-High-Performance-US-Health-System.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090830041528/http://www.commonwealthfund.org/Content/Publications/Fund-Reports/2009/Feb/The-Path-to-a-High-Performance-US-Health-System.aspx |archive-date=August 30, 2009 |access-date=October 7, 2025 |website=commonwealthfund.org}}</ref> to advocate for a public plan. The report showed that legislative proposals would achieve nearly universal coverage and "estimated that a public plan could offer small businesses insurance that is at least 9 percent cheaper than current small-business policies."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hoover |first=Kent |date=July 22, 2009 |title=Small-biz divided on health-care reform |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2009/05/04/story14.html?b=1241409600^1820494 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011102914/http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2009/05/04/story14.html?b=1241409600%5E1820494 |archive-date=October 11, 2016 |work=American City Business Journals }}</ref>
However, the Lewin Group has acknowledged that clients sometimes choose to keep the results of studies they have commissioned private. Indeed, Lewin Group Vice President John Sheils told ''The Washington Post'' that "sometimes studies come out that don't show exactly what the client wants to see. And in those instances, they have [the] option to bury the study."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hilzenrath |first=David S. |date=July 22, 2009 |title=Research Firm Cited by GOP Is Owned by Health Insurer |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/22/AR2009072202216.html?sub=AR |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119144604/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/22/AR2009072202216.html?sub=AR |archive-date=November 19, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref>
== Criticism and controversies == {{Update section|date=May 2023}}
=== SEC investigation === In 2006, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) began investigating the conduct of UnitedHealth Group's management and directors, for backdating of stock options. Investigations were also started by the Internal Revenue Service and prosecutors in the U.S. attorney's office for the Southern District of New York, who subpoenaed documents from the company. The investigations came to light after a series of probing stories in the ''Wall Street Journal'' in May 2006, discussing the apparent backdating of hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of stock options by UHC management. The backdating apparently occurred with the knowledge and approval of the directors, according to the ''Journal''. Major shareholders have filed lawsuits accusing former New Jersey governor Thomas Kean and UHC's other directors of failing in their fiduciary duty.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Conason |first=Joe |date=September 15, 2006 |title=Jersey hustler |url=https://www.salon.com/2006/09/15/kean_3/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623161747/https://www.salon.com/2006/09/15/kean_3/ |archive-date=June 23, 2019 |access-date=June 23, 2019 |work=Salon}}</ref> On October 15, 2006, CEO William W. McGuire was forced to resign, and relinquish hundreds of millions of dollars in stock options.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 6, 2007 |title=Ex-UnitedHealth CEO To Pay $800M In Settlements |url=https://www.law360.com/articles/41799/ex-unitedhealth-ceo-to-pay-800m-in-settlements |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623161744/https://www.law360.com/articles/41799/ex-unitedhealth-ceo-to-pay-800m-in-settlements |archive-date=June 23, 2019 |access-date=June 23, 2019 |work=Law360}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release |title=FORMER UNITED HEALTH GROUP CEO/CHAIRMAN SETTLES STOCK OPTIONS BACKDATING CASE FOR $468 MILLION |date=December 6, 2007 |publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission |url=https://www.sec.gov/litigation/litreleases/2007/lr20387.htm |access-date=September 17, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711152829/https://www.sec.gov/litigation/litreleases/2007/lr20387.htm |archive-date=July 11, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=FREED |first=JOSHUA |date=December 7, 2007 |title=UnitedHealth's ex-CEO to forfeit millions to settle suit |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/business/businessnews/2007/12/07/UnitedHealth-s-ex-CEO-to-forfeit-millions-to-settle-suit/stories/200712070141 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623161744/https://www.post-gazette.com/business/businessnews/2007/12/07/UnitedHealth-s-ex-CEO-to-forfeit-millions-to-settle-suit/stories/200712070141 |archive-date=June 23, 2019 |access-date=June 23, 2019 |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>
On December 6, 2007, the SEC announced a settlement under which McGuire was to repay $468{{nbsp}}million, including a $7{{nbsp}}million civil penalty, as a partial settlement of the backdating prosecution. He was also barred from serving as an officer or director of a public company for ten years.<ref>[https://www.sec.gov/litigation/litreleases/2007/lr20387.htm Securities and Exchange Commission v. William W. McGuire, M.D., Civil Action No. 07-CV-4779-JMR/FLN (D. Minn. 2007)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711152829/https://www.sec.gov/litigation/litreleases/2007/lr20387.htm | date=July 11, 2017}} U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Litigation Release No. 20387 / December 6, 2007</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Press Release: Former UnitedHealth Group CEO/Chairman Settles Stock Options Backdating Case for $468 Million; 2007-255; Dec. 6, 2007 |url=http://www.sec.gov/news/press/2007/2007-255.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140820011823/http://www.sec.gov/news/press/2007/2007-255.htm |archive-date=August 20, 2014 |access-date=October 7, 2025 |website=sec.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Dr. William McGuire Settles with the SEC and the UnitedHealth Group Special Litigation Committee on Stock Opti... ( Former CEO Agrees to Forego $420 ...) |url=http://www.bio-medicine.org/medicine-news-1/Dr--William-McGuire-Settles-with-the-SEC-and-the-UnitedHealth-Group-Special-Litigation-Committee-on-Stock-Options-Matter-7798-1/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090518044010/http://www.bio-medicine.org/medicine-news-1/Dr--William-McGuire-Settles-with-the-SEC-and-the-UnitedHealth-Group-Special-Litigation-Committee-on-Stock-Options-Matter-7798-1/ |archive-date=May 18, 2009 |access-date=October 7, 2025 |website=bio-medicine.org |language=en}}</ref> This was the first time in which the little-used "clawback" provision under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act was used against an individual by the SEC. The SEC continued its investigations even after it in 2008 settled legal actions against both UnitedHealth Group itself and its former general counsel.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Press Release: SEC Files Settled Enforcement Actions Against UnitedHealth Group and Former General Counsel in Stock Options Backdating Case (Dec. 22, 2008) |url=https://www.sec.gov/news/press/2008/2008-302.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711152059/https://www.sec.gov/news/press/2008/2008-302.htm |archive-date=July 11, 2017}}</ref>{{Update inline|date=July 2025}}
=== American Chiropractic Association lawsuit === In June 2006, the American Chiropractic Association filed a national class-action lawsuit against the American Chiropractic Network (ACN), which is owned by UnitedHealth Group and administers chiropractic benefits, and against UnitedHealth Group itself, for alleged practices in violation of the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).<ref>{{Cite web |title=American Chiropractic Association |url=http://acatoday.com/press_css.cfm?CID=1381 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070817194126/http://acatoday.com/press_css.cfm?CID=1381 |archive-date=August 17, 2007 |access-date=October 7, 2025 |website=acatoday.com}}</ref> The Missouri Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration determined that UnitedHealth Group violated state insurance laws, so levied $536,000 in fines and ordered more than 50,000 cases re-opened; any improperly denied claims must have been reimbursed with interest for chiropractors and patients.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UHC Fined $536,000, Reopens 50,000 Claims {{!}} Dynamic Chiropractic |url=https://dynamicchiropractic.com/article/54265-uhc-fined-536-000-reopens-50-000-claims |access-date=December 5, 2024 |website=dynamicchiropractic.com |language=en |archive-date=December 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207082506/https://dynamicchiropractic.com/article/54265-uhc-fined-536-000-reopens-50-000-claims |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== OptumInsight, {{aka}} Ingenix lawsuit === In February 2008, New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo announced an industry-wide investigation into a scheme by health insurers to defraud consumers by manipulating reasonable and customary rates. The announcement included a statement that Cuomo intended "to file suit against Ingenix, Inc., its parent UnitedHealth Group, and three additional subsidiaries." Cuomo asserted that his investigation found that rates found in a database of health care charges maintained by Ingenix were lower than what he determined was the actual cost of certain medical expenses. Cuomo said this inappropriately allowed health insurance companies to deny a portion of provider claims, thereby pushing costs down to members.<ref>[http://www.oag.state.ny.us/press/2008/feb/feb13a_08.html "Cuomo Announces Industry-Wide Investigation into Health Insurer's Fraudulent Reimbursement Scheme"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080330043123/http://www.oag.state.ny.us/press/2008/feb/feb13a_08.html | date=March 30, 2008}}, press release, Office of the Attorney General, New York State, February 13, 2008</ref>
On January 13, 2009, Ingenix announced an agreement with the New York State attorney settling the probe into the independence of the health pricing database. Under the settlement, UnitedHealth Group and Ingenix would pay $50{{nbsp}}million to finance a new, non-profit entity that would develop a new healthcare pricing database. Ingenix would discontinue its medical pricing databases when the new entity makes its product available. The company acknowledged the appearance of a conflict of interest but admitted no wrongdoing.<ref>{{Cite news |title=UPDATE 2-UnitedHealth settles New York reimbursement probe |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/unitedhealth/update-2-unitedhealth-settles-new-york-reimbursement-probe-idUSN1338639920090113 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623161749/https://www.reuters.com/article/unitedhealth/update-2-unitedhealth-settles-new-york-reimbursement-probe-idUSN1338639920090113 |archive-date=June 23, 2019 |access-date=October 7, 2025 |work=U.S. |language=en-US}}</ref>
On January 15, 2009, UnitedHealth Group announced a $350{{nbsp}}million settlement of three class action lawsuits filed in Federal court by the American Medical Association, UnitedHealth Group members, healthcare providers, and state medical societies for not paying out-of-network benefits. This settlement came two days after a similar settlement with Cuomo.<ref>{{cite web | agency=Associated Press | title=UnitedHealth settles lawsuit | website=Los Angeles Times | date=January 16, 2009 | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-jan-16-fi-unitedhealth16-story.html | access-date=December 4, 2024 | archive-date=December 9, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241209011313/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-jan-16-fi-unitedhealth16-story.html | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Krauskopf |first=Lewis |date=January 15, 2009 |title=UPDATE 2-UnitedHealth settles payment suits for $350 million |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/unitedhealth/update-2-unitedhealth-settles-payment-suits-for-350-million-idUSN1531133620090115 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220052804/http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssHealthcareNews/idUSN1531133620090115 |archive-date=February 20, 2009 |work=Reuters}}</ref>
On October 27, 2009, Cuomo announced the creation of FAIR Health, an independent, non-profit organization that would develop a nationwide database for consumer reimbursement, as well as a website where consumers would be able to compare prices before choosing doctors. To fund FAIR Health, the Attorney General's office secured nearly $100{{nbsp}}million from insurers such as Aetna, UnitedHealth Group, and Anthem Inc.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stempel |first=Jonathan |date=October 27, 2009 |title=Cuomo sets healthcare reimbursement reform |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cuomo-healthcare/cuomo-sets-healthcare-reimbursement-reform-idUSTRE59Q3D320091027 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091031200023/http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE59Q3D320091027 |archive-date=October 31, 2009 |work=Reuters}}</ref>
=== PacifiCare fine in California === In 2008, the California Department of Insurance took action against UnitedHealthcare's subsidiary PacifiCare Health Systems, acquired in 2005, ultimately fining UnitedHealthcare around $173{{nbsp}}million for an estimated over 900,000 violations of the Unfair Insurance Practices Act; by 2019, the case was still being disputed in court, with the possibility of affirming $91{{nbsp}}million in penalties.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 14, 2019 |title=California high court won't review $91M fine against UnitedHealthcare |url=http://www.startribune.com/california-high-court-won-t-review-91m-fine-against-unitedhealthcare/503907322/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404092452/http://www.startribune.com/california-high-court-won-t-review-91m-fine-against-unitedhealthcare/503907322/ |archive-date=April 4, 2019 |access-date=June 13, 2019 |work=Star Tribune}}</ref>{{Update inline|date=December 2024}}
=== Medicare overbilling lawsuit === A whistleblower lawsuit filed in 2011 charged UnitedHealth Group's data analytics division with assisting in defrauding Medicare by boosting risk adjustment scores from Medicare Advantage companies. The suit alleged that UnitedHealth Group subsidiary Ingenix (now OptumInsight) "defrauded the United States of hundreds of millions – and likely billions – of dollars." Former UnitedHealth executive Benjamin Poehling brought the suit under the False Claims Act. The government said it would proceed on claims against two healthcare companies, UnitedHealth and its Texas subsidiary WellMed Medical Management. In February 2017, a federal judge unsealed the suit after the Department of Justice announced it would join the case.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Williams Walsh |first=Mary |date=February 17, 2017 |title=UnitedHealth Group accused of overbilling Medicare |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/business/unitedhealth-group-accused-of-overbilling-medicare/2313611/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217181015/http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/unitedhealth-group-accused-of-overbilling-medicare/2313611 |archive-date=February 17, 2017 |work=The New York Times |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Snowbeck |first=Christopher |date=February 17, 2017 |title=UnitedHealth Group targeted by whistleblower lawsuit |url=http://www.startribune.com/unitedhealth-group-targeted-by-whistleblower-lawsuit/414083943/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217173422/http://www.startribune.com/unitedhealth-group-targeted-by-whistleblower-lawsuit/414083943/ |archive-date=February 17, 2017 |work=Star Tribune}}</ref>{{Update inline|date=July 2025}}
=== CMS fine over Medicare Part D === In 2017, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) fined UnitedHealthcare $2.5{{nbsp}}million after discovering issues in Medicare Part D leading to delays or denials in a 2016 audit.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 7, 2017 |title=CMS fines UnitedHealthcare $2.5M over improper Medicare denials, delays |url=https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/payer-issues/cms-fines-unitedhealthcare-2-5m-over-improper-medicare-denials-delays.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215005039/https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/payer-issues/cms-fines-unitedhealthcare-2-5m-over-improper-medicare-denials-delays.html |archive-date=December 15, 2017 |access-date=June 14, 2019 |website=beckershospitalreview.com}}</ref>
=== 2018 New Jersey fine === In 2018, the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance fined UnitedHealthcare $2.5{{nbsp}}million due to various compliance issues; this was the largest fine against a licensee in nine years.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 31, 2018 |title=UnitedHealthcare is fined $2.5 million by New Jersey regulators |url=http://www.startribune.com/unitedhealthcare-paying-2-5-million-fine-to-new-jersey-regulators/489675671/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802010544/http://www.startribune.com/unitedhealthcare-paying-2-5-million-fine-to-new-jersey-regulators/489675671/ |archive-date=August 2, 2018 |access-date=June 14, 2019 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref>
=== ''Richard Cole, and others v. UnitedHealthcare'' === On April 29, 2019, Judge Robert N. Scola Jr. of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, a cancer survivor, recused himself from a case against UnitedHealthcare, stating that the company's denial of treatment was "immoral and barbaric", and that his opinions regarding the company would prevent him from "deciding this case fairly and impartially."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Flynn |first=Megan |date=May 1, 2019 |title='Immoral and barbaric': Cancer-surviving judge blasts insurer for denying treatment |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/05/01/immoral-barbaric-cancer-surviving-judge-blasts-insurer-denying-therapy-before-recusing-himself/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503152242/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/05/01/immoral-barbaric-cancer-surviving-judge-blasts-insurer-denying-therapy-before-recusing-himself/ |archive-date=May 3, 2019 |access-date=May 4, 2019 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Order of Recusal.pdf |url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vTSIyp5a-zC5B_CHnwfB_ydCvxYvubcf/view?usp=embed_facebook |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190504012425/https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vTSIyp5a-zC5B_CHnwfB_ydCvxYvubcf/view?usp=embed_facebook |archive-date=May 4, 2019 |access-date=June 2, 2019 |website=Google Docs}}</ref>
=== Mental health treatment lawsuit === As reported by openminds.com:
{{blockquote|On September 13, 2019, three addiction and mental health treatment centers sued United Behavioral Health (UBH), UnitedHealthcare's mental health subsidiary. The centers alleged that UBH wrongfully denied $5{{nbsp}}million in behavioral health treatment claims for self-insured and fully insured employer health plans for residential and outpatient treatment from 2011 to 2017. The case involves claims for 157 employer group health plan members, including children.<ref>{{Cite web |title=United Behavioral Health Sued For $5{{nbsp}}Million In Denied Mental Health Claims |url=https://www.openminds.com/market-intelligence/news/united-behavioral-health-sued-for-5-million-in-denied-mental-health-claims/ |access-date=June 8, 2020 |website=OPEN MINDS |language=en-US |archive-date=August 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809131250/https://www.openminds.com/market-intelligence/news/united-behavioral-health-sued-for-5-million-in-denied-mental-health-claims/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}}{{Update inline|date=July 2025}}
=== Pennsylvania lawsuit === In 2019, UnitedHealthcare paid a $1{{nbsp}}million penalty to settle Pennsylvania regulators' allegations that the company violated state and federal laws when paying medical claims, particularly for patients seeking treatment for autism and substance use disorders. The regulators also compelled the company to pay restitution for wrongly denied or delayed claims and to spend $800,000 on an outreach campaign to notify consumers of their mental health and substance use disorder benefits.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Snowbeck |first=Christopher |date=November 4, 2019 |title=UnitedHealthcare assessed $1 million penalty for claims payment violations |url=https://www.startribune.com/unitedhealthcare-faces-1-million-penalty-for-claims-payment-violations/564370152/ |access-date=March 26, 2024 |work=Star Tribune |archive-date=December 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204043940/https://www.startribune.com/unitedhealthcare-faces-1-million-penalty-for-claims-payment-violations/564370152/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Dispute with TeamHealth === In late 2021, Tennessee-based physician network TeamHealth, a subsidiary of the private equity company Blackstone Inc., sued UnitedHealthcare in the 8th District Court of Clark County, Nevada, alleging the insurer underpaid claims to three of TeamHealth's Nevada-based affiliates. In November 2021, the jury unanimously found United guilty of "oppression, fraud, and malice" in its conduct and awarded TeamHealth $2.65{{nbsp}}million in compensatory damages. In December, the jury reconvened to determine punitive damages and awarded TeamHealth $60{{nbsp}}million. TeamHealth plans to pursue similar legal action against United and other insurers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Florida, Oklahoma, and Texas.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UnitedHealthcare to appeal after jury awards TeamHealth $60M in damages |url=https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/nevada-jury-unitedhealthcare-guilty-teamhealth-reimbursement-surprise-billing/610681/ |access-date=December 21, 2021 |website=Healthcare Dive |language=en-US |archive-date=December 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220202317/https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/nevada-jury-unitedhealthcare-guilty-teamhealth-reimbursement-surprise-billing/610681/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=December 8, 2021 |title=Nevada jury: Health insurers owe ER doctors $60M in damages |url=https://apnews.com/article/science-health-business-state-courts-las-vegas-mass-shooting-ab6efae567be8dc77e53d24dc4c4f0b1 |access-date=December 21, 2021 |website=AP NEWS |language=en |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221214029/https://apnews.com/article/science-health-business-state-courts-las-vegas-mass-shooting-ab6efae567be8dc77e53d24dc4c4f0b1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Medicare Advantage overbilling === An October 2021 ''New York Times'' report identified UnitedHealth in a list of Medicare insurers accused of over-billing. According to the Inspector General, a whistleblower came forward, so the U.S. government went after UnitedHealth for over-billing Medicare. Executives at UnitedHealth Group told workers to mine old medical records for more illnesses, to identify diagnoses of serious diseases that might have never existed, inflating bills paid by the federal government's Medicare Advantage program.<ref>Reed Abelson and Margot Sanger-Katz, "'The Cash Monster Was Insatiable': How Insurers Exploited Medicare for Billions", ''The New York Times'', October 8, 2021.</ref>
A study by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that in 2021, Medicare Advantage programs provided insurers with double the gross margin of insurance for individuals, groups, or Medicaid Managed Care.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Abelson |first1=Reed |last2=Sanger-Katz |first2=Margot |date=March 31, 2023 |title=Medicare Delays a Full Crackdown on Private Health Plans |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/31/health/medicare-overbilling-insurance.html |work=The New York Times |quote=After intense lobbying by insurers, U.S. health officials say changes to reduce overbilling in Medicare Advantage will be phased in over three years |archive-date=April 1, 2023 |access-date=April 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401003634/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/31/health/medicare-overbilling-insurance.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Ortaliza |first1=Jared |last2=Fuglesten Biniek |first2=Jeannie |last3=Hinton |first3=Elizabeth |last4=Neuman |first4=Tricia |last5=Rudowitz |first5=Robin |last6=Cox |first6=Cynthia |date=February 28, 2023 |title=Health Insurer Financial Performance in 2021 |url=https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/health-insurer-financial-performance/ |website=Kaiser Family Foundation |access-date=April 1, 2023 |archive-date=April 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401003622/https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/health-insurer-financial-performance/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In July 2024, the ''Wall Street Journal'' concluded that UnitedHealth was the worst offender among private insurers who made dubious diagnoses in their clients in order to trigger large payments from the government's Medicare Advantage program. The patients often did not receive any treatment for those insurer-added diagnoses. The report, based on Medicare data obtained from the federal government under a research agreement, calculated that diagnoses added by UnitedHealth for diseases patients had never been treated for had yielded $8.7{{nbsp}}billion in payments to the company in 2021 – over half of its net income of $17{{nbsp}}billion for that year.<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 8, 2024|title=Insurers Pocketed $50 Billion From Medicare for Diseases No Doctor Treated|url=https://www.wsj.com/health/healthcare/medicare-health-insurance-diagnosis-payments-b4d99a5d|website=The Wall Street Journal|first1=Christopher|last1=Weaver|first2=Tom|last2=McGinty|first3=Anna Wilde|last3=Mathews|first4=Mark|last4=Maremont|first5=Andrew|last5=Mollica|access-date=July 8, 2024|archive-date=July 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240708151856/https://www.wsj.com/health/healthcare/medicare-health-insurance-diagnosis-payments-b4d99a5d|url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2025, the Wall Street Journal reported that DOJ officials were interviewing former UnitedHealth employees in connection with the investigation,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mathews |first=Christopher Weaver and Anna Wilde |title=Exclusive {{!}} Prosecutors Question Doctors About UnitedHealth's Medicare Billing Practices |url=https://www.wsj.com/business/unitedhealth-doj-medicare-billing-investigation-8d56800d |access-date=July 10, 2025 |website=The Wall Street Journal |date=July 9, 2025 |language=en-US |archive-date=July 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250710015508/https://www.wsj.com/business/unitedhealth-doj-medicare-billing-investigation-8d56800d |url-status=live }}</ref> and later that month, UnitedHealth confirmed that it was under criminal and civil federal investigation for its Medicare practices.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Luhby |first=Tami |date=July 24, 2025 |title=UnitedHealth confirms federal investigation into its Medicare practices {{!}} CNN Business |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/24/business/unitedhealth-investigation-doj |access-date=July 25, 2025 |publisher=CNN |language=en |archive-date=July 25, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725032157/https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/24/business/unitedhealth-investigation-doj |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Change Healthcare acquisition === In February 2022, the United States Department of Justice sued to stop UnitedHealth Group's $8 billion acquisition of Change Healthcare, arguing that the deal would give UnitedHealth access to its competitors' data and ultimately push up healthcare costs. The Justice Department said that UnitedHealth knew that access to claims would give it a view into rival health plans at Humana, Anthem Inc, CVS Health, Aetna, and Cigna.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Diane Bartz |date=February 24, 2022 |title=U.S. sues to block UnitedHealth's $8{{nbsp}}bln deal for Change Healthcare |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-justice-department-block-13-bln-deal-by-unitedhealth-source-2022-02-24/ |work=Reuters |archive-date=March 19, 2022 |access-date=March 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319215856/https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-justice-department-block-13-bln-deal-by-unitedhealth-source-2022-02-24/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A U.S. judge rejected the department's bid in September. Following the completion of the acquisition in October 2022, the parties agreed that the appeal would be voluntarily dismissed, with no reasons provided by the Justice Department for dropping the appeal.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 21, 2023 |title=US drops appeal of UnitedHealth acquisition of Change Healthcare |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/us-drops-appeal-unitedhealth-acquisition-change-healthcare-2023-03-21/ |website=Reuters |language=en |access-date=August 27, 2023 |archive-date=August 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812171854/https://www.reuters.com/legal/us-drops-appeal-unitedhealth-acquisition-change-healthcare-2023-03-21/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Insider trading lawsuit=== In May of 2024, the City of Hollywood Firefighters Pension Fund sued UnitedHealth Group for alleged insider trading, claiming that then-Board Chair and future chairman and CEO Stephen Hemsley and then-UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson had sold millions of dollars worth of shares in UHG since October 2023 with foreknowledge that the United States Department of Justice were investigating them.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/lawsuits-unitedhealth-executives-brian-thompson-insider-trading-allegations/89-0bcd0da2-5660-4db1-bcea-c751ec691af6 |title=Lawsuits emerge against UnitedHealth and some of its executives |work=KARE11}}</ref> ===Use of algorithimic AI model to deny claims=== UnitedHealth Group has faced a lawsuit over its use of an algorithmic AI model created by naviHealth, which UnitedHealth acquired in 2020, to deny claims. The lawsuit alleged that the model, named nH Predict, had a 90% error rate. A spokesperson for UnitedHealth denied that they use the model to deny claims when questioned by The Guardian.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/25/health-insurers-ai |title=New AI tool counters health insurance denials decided by automated algorithms |work=The Guardian}}</ref>
=== Secret payments to nursing homes === In May 2025, ''The Guardian'' published an investigative report which uncovered a systemic effort by UnitedHealth to secretly pay nursing homes bonuses to deny hospital transfers for nursing home residents who needed immediate hospital care.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Roy |first=Sriparna |date=May 21, 2025 |title=UnitedHealth falls on report it secretly paid nursing homes to reduce hospital transfers |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/unitedhealth-falls-after-report-it-secretly-paid-nursing-homes-reduce-hospital-2025-05-21/ |access-date=May 24, 2025 |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref> Other tactics uncovered by ''The Guardian'' include UnitedHealth managers pressuring nurse practitioners to persuade members to sign onto Do not resuscitate agreements and payments for leaking confidential patient data to UnitedHealth sales teams.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Joseph |first=George |date=May 21, 2025 |title=Revealed: UnitedHealth secretly paid nursing homes to reduce hospital transfers |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/21/unitedhealth-nursing-homes-payments-hospital-transfers |access-date=May 21, 2025 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> In June, UnitedHealth sued ''The Guardian'' for defamation over the findings of their article.<ref name="Enrich" />
=== Campaign against critics === In July 2025, a ''New York Times'' investigation revealed that UnitedHealth Group, with the help of the law firm Clare Locke, had made legal threats against journalists, social media users and healthcare professionals who criticized their policies and practices. UnitedHealth also made take-down requests to social media companies hosting content critical of them.<ref name="Enrich">{{Cite news |last=Enrich |first=David |date=July 12, 2025 |title=UnitedHealth's Campaign to Quiet Critics |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/12/business/unitedhealth-insurance-criticism.html |access-date=July 20, 2025 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=July 19, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250719133137/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/12/business/unitedhealth-insurance-criticism.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== 2025 Investigations into Medicare billing practices === In July 2025, UnitedHealth Group was under both civil and criminal investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice into how it bills its Medicare Advantage program and related practices, and said it cooperated with those probes after reaching out to the DOJ.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Constantino |first=Annika Kim |date=July 24, 2025 |title=UnitedHealth says it is cooperating with DOJ investigations into Medicare billing practices |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/24/unitedhealthcare-doj-investigation-medicare-billing.html |access-date=January 29, 2026 |publisher=CNBC |language=en |archive-date=January 28, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260128211253/https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/24/unitedhealthcare-doj-investigation-medicare-billing.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Foundations== Foundations affiliated with UnitedHealth Group include the UnitedHealth Foundation (UHF) and the UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation (UHCCF), both of which were established in 1999.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nguyen |first=Tina |date=March 10, 2022 |title=United Health Foundation to Donate $1M to Ukraine |url=https://tcbmag.com/united-health-foundation-to-donate-1m-to-ukraine/ |work=Twin Cities Business |archive-date=July 27, 2023 |access-date=July 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727002232/https://tcbmag.com/united-health-foundation-to-donate-1m-to-ukraine/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
UHF pledged $100 million over ten years to fund scholarships and workforce development programs focused on increasing ethnic and racial diversity within the health care industry.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Snowbeck |first=Christopher |date=July 14, 2022 |title=United Health Foundation pledges $100 million to help diversify health care workforce |url=https://www.startribune.com/united-health-foundation-pledges-100-million-to-help-diversify-health-care-workforce/600190100/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717030555/https://www.startribune.com/united-health-foundation-pledges-100-million-to-help-diversify-health-care-workforce/600190100/ |archive-date=July 17, 2022 |access-date=August 1, 2023 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref> UHF's investment will support 10,000 physicians from underrepresented communities: 5,000 students with a primary care focus and 5,000 physicians who want to advance careers in mental health, nursing, midwifery and medicine.<ref name="Fierce Healthcare">{{Cite web |title=UnitedHealth to invest $100M in diversifying healthcare workforce |url=https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/unitedhealth-invest-100m-diversifying-healthcare-workforce |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114115045/https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/unitedhealth-invest-100m-diversifying-healthcare-workforce |archive-date=November 14, 2023 |access-date=February 7, 2024 |website=Fierce Healthcare |date=June 8, 2022 |language=en}}</ref> The work of this fund is part of a broader initiative in which UnitedHealth Group has teamed up with nine organizations to provide scholarships to more than 3,000 students through the Diverse Scholars Initiative.<ref name="Fierce Healthcare" />
UHCCF administers grants to help pay for medical costs for families with coverage gaps. According to UHCCF, the foundation raises money for medical grants by selling gift items such as backpacks, books, cards, and games, some of which are created by children.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kortwright |first=Amalia |date=December 20, 2017 |title=Alabaster family spreading awareness about UHCCF grants |url=https://www.shelbycountyreporter.com/2017/12/20/alabaster-family-spreading-awareness-about-uchhf-grants/ |work=Shelby County Reporter |archive-date=July 31, 2023 |access-date=July 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731191630/https://www.shelbycountyreporter.com/2017/12/20/alabaster-family-spreading-awareness-about-uchhf-grants/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==See also== * America's Health Rankings reports released annually (in conjunction with UnitedHealth Group's UnitedHealth Foundation) since 1990 * 2024 Change Healthcare ransomware attack * Killing of Brian Thompson * nH Predict * "United Health", a protest song by Jesse Welles
==Notes== {{Reflist|group=nt}}
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== * {{Official website}} {{Finance links | name = UnitedHealth Group Incorporated | symbol = UNH | google = UNH:NYSE | yahoo = UNH | reuters = UNH.N | bloomberg = UNH:US | sec_cik = 731766 }} * [https://www.usaspending.gov/recipient/0d852f1a-d677-43b4-e0ee-411c1a5435e9-P UnitedHealth Group Incorporated] recipient profile on USAspending.gov
{{Dow Jones Industrial Average companies}} {{Minnesota Corporations}} {{Major insurance companies}} {{Contract research organization|state=collapsed}} {{S&P 500 companies}} {{Authority control|state=expanded}}
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