Justice Department Opens Antitrust Investigation into UnitedHealth Group

The investigation focuses on potential anticompetitive practices within UnitedHealth's insurance and healthcare services divisions.

The U.S. Justice Department has initiated an antitrust investigation of UnitedHealth Group, targeting the company's insurance and healthcare services sectors.
Investigators are examining the relationships between UnitedHealthcare, the nation's largest health insurer, and its Optum division, which includes a rapidly expanding unit that owns and manages medical groups.
The probe follows a failed attempt by the Justice Department to block UnitedHealth's acquisition of Change Healthcare in 2022, citing concerns over competition.
UnitedHealth Group's shares fell by 2.27% following the announcement of the investigation.
The investigation is part of a broader Biden administration effort to increase antitrust scrutiny across major sectors, including healthcare.