Texas Investigates UnitedHealth Over Alleged Healthcare Coverage Denials
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) over allegations of deceptive and unlawful practices that allegedly restricted Texans' access to essential healthcare services. The investigation follows reports suggesting UnitedHealth bribed nursing homes to delay necessary hospitalizations for patients and a case where a Texas patient received approval for a procedure at RedBud Surgery Center in Austin only to have the approval revoked afterward, resulting in a substantial medical bill.
Paxton's office stated that UnitedHealth's coverage decisions may violate state laws by overriding physicians' medical judgments and influencing patient care in ways that delay treatment. The attorney general emphasized his commitment to holding insurance companies accountable, stating, "Alarming reports keep piling up about how United treats Texas consumers. I will not tolerate any insurance company putting illegal corporate greed over the people of Texas."
As part of the probe, Paxton has issued Civil Investigative Demands to UnitedHealth to gather evidence of potential violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and other state laws. The investigation aims to determine whether UnitedHealth engaged in practices that prioritized corporate interests over patient well-being.