New york: US-based UnitedHealth Group has confirmed it is under both criminal and civil investigation by the US Justice Department. In a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, UnitedHealth disclosed its cooperation with the department's requests, revealing that it had "proactively" reached out to the department following media coverage concerning its Medicare operations.

According to Anadolu Agency, the investigation adds to a series of challenges faced by UnitedHealth this year, including the aftermath of the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York last year. This incident sparked a national conversation about public dissatisfaction with the healthcare industry. Additionally, UnitedHealth's CEO resigned unexpectedly in May, shortly before the company's stock experienced a significant decline, following reports by The Wall Street Journal about both civil and criminal investigations.

The Journal reports that the Justice Department's healthcare fraud division is investigating potential Medicare fraud at UnitedHealth, amidst ongoing probes into possible antitrust violations and Medicare billing practices. UnitedHealth ended the first half of 2025 as the worst-performing stock on the Dow Jones Industrial Average, and its shares fell another 1.5% in morning trading following the latest announcement.

In its filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, UnitedHealth expressed "full confidence" in its operations, citing a court-appointed monitor who found no misconduct after a decade-long investigation into its Medicare Advantage program. The company stated its commitment to maintaining the integrity of its business practices and serving as reliable stewards of American tax dollars. The Justice Department has yet to comment on the ongoing investigation.