UnitedHealth Group is taking proactive steps to enhance investor confidence by releasing its first externally commissioned reviews of its business practices. These assessments, conducted by FTI Consulting and Analysis Group, have emerged in response to ongoing regulatory scrutiny and public criticism. They describe the company’s policies as well-structured but acknowledge significant challenges in areas facing heightened scrutiny.
Chairman Stephen Hemsley, who resumed the CEO position this year following a decline in the company’s profit outlook, had vowed to make these reviews public during a June shareholder meeting as part of a broader initiative to rebuild trust with stakeholders. The company is navigating a challenging environment, with its stock price having dropped 35% in 2025 and projections indicating the lowest adjusted earnings per share since 2019.
While the reports are framed in technical consultant language, they shed light on the company’s operations across several important sectors. UnitedHealth has signaled plans to implement nearly two dozen follow-up actions, including updates and centralization of internal policies. However, these responses may not fully address the concerns of critics who are advocating for more substantial reforms.
One of the reviews highlighted issues within UnitedHealthcare, the insurance arm, noting unresolved problems and repeated violations in regulatory audits pertaining to patient care management. This includes scrutiny of prior authorization processes, which have been a consistent source of tension between providers and patients. In addressing these findings, the company intends to review all related audit conclusions and strive for comprehensive remediation.
Additionally, the assessments evaluated the methods used by UnitedHealth in conducting Medicare risk assessments, which play a crucial role in shaping federal reimbursement rates, along with the practices of Optum Rx regarding discounts and rebates from pharmaceutical manufacturers. These disclosures arrive at a time when UnitedHealth, along with two competitors, is contesting litigation from the Federal Trade Commission aimed at pharmacy benefit managers. The company is also currently under investigation by the Department of Justice for potential criminal and civil breaches.
UnitedHealth has reiterated its commitment to cooperating with authorities while defending its business practices. Hemsley clarified that the conducted reviews were not legal evaluations and were not carried out according to formal audit standards. Nevertheless, he indicated that further reviews are anticipated to be released next year, suggesting that the company’s push for transparency may continue to evolve as it seeks to stabilize market sentiment.
