Investing.com -- Shares of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) fell 8% as investors responded to news of a Justice Department investigation into the company's Medicare billing practices. The probe, which has come to light in recent months, focuses on UnitedHealth's methods of recording diagnoses that lead to higher payments for its Medicare Advantage plans, including those at physician groups owned by the insurance behemoth.
The investigation, triggered by a series of articles in The Wall Street Journal last year, has raised concerns about potentially questionable diagnoses that could have led to billions of dollars in Medicare payments to UnitedHealth. As of January 31, Justice Department attorneys have been interviewing medical providers cited in these articles.
In the Medicare Advantage program, insurers like UnitedHealth receive lump-sum payments from the government to manage Medicare benefits for enrollees. These payments increase with the diagnosis of certain diseases, incentivizing more comprehensive diagnoses. The scrutiny on UnitedHealth's billing practices adds another layer of challenge for the $400 billion company, which is already under a separate antitrust investigation by the DOJ, as reported in February of the previous year.
Additionally, the DOJ has taken legal action to prevent UnitedHealth's $3.3 billion acquisition of home-health firm Amedisys (NASDAQ:AMED), citing antitrust concerns. This accumulation of inquiries and lawsuits has cast a shadow over UnitedHealth, which operates the largest health insurer in the U.S. and has an extensive network of health-industry assets, including doctor practices, a major pharmacy-benefit manager, and data and technology services.
Investors are closely monitoring the situation, as the outcomes of these investigations could have significant implications for UnitedHealth's operations and financial performance. The company's stock movement today reflects the market's reaction to the uncertainty surrounding these legal challenges.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.