Legal · TX
Texas AG Paxton Investigates UnitedHealth Over Care Denials
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has opened an investigation into UnitedHealth, citing "alarming reports" that the insurer improperly denies patient care in violation of the state's Deceptive Trade Practices Act and other Texas consumer protection laws. The probe targets UnitedHealth's claims and utilization review practices broadly, which could implicate its Medicaid managed care operations in Texas alongside its commercial and Medicare lines. No timeline for the investigation's conclusion was specified. The inquiry adds to mounting regulatory and legal scrutiny of UnitedHealth's claims-handling and prior authorization practices nationally.
Why it mattersA state AG investigation into UnitedHealth's denial practices raises compliance exposure for the company's Texas Medicaid managed care contracts and could prompt the state Medicaid agency to scrutinize the plan's utilization management performance.