The Thread · Federal & State Enforcement
Antitrust & Federal Scrutiny
When one company owns the insurer, the doctors, the pharmacy, and the data, regulators eventually notice. Here is the enforcement record on UnitedHealth's consolidation.
The Documented Record
FTC · PBMs
FTC sues the "Big Three" PBMs, including OptumRx
For rebating practices that allegedly inflate insulin list prices and block cheaper generics.
FTC · Middleman
FTC accuses CVS, Cigna & UnitedHealth of abusing their middleman role
Across the vertically integrated PBM-insurer model.
DOJ · Antitrust
DOJ investigates Optum's acquisition of doctor's offices
A civil antitrust review of UHG's growing control over physician groups.
DOJ · Merger Conditioned
DOJ sues to block UHG's acquisition of Amedisys
Settled with divestitures across multiple states and a $1.1M civil penalty for false certification.
DOJ · Abandoned
UHG abandons the Stewardship Health acquisition
After intense DOJ Antitrust Division scrutiny over care quality and competition.
State AG
AG James acts to protect health-service access in Western NY
Multistate attention to UnitedHealth's market conduct.
Congress
"Too big to fail?" — lawmakers eye a breakup of UnitedHealth
Bipartisan momentum toward structural separation (see S.3822).
Senate
Senate report & Grassley inquiry on Medicare Advantage
A scathing report on MA denials, plus Sen. Grassley's letters and report on UHG's billing.