UnitedHealth Confirms It Is Under Investigation for Medicare Billing Malpractices as House Committee Holds a Medicare Advantage Hearing 

On Thursday, July 24, UnitedHealth revealed that they are facing an investigation from the U.S. Department of Justice. The company disclosed the investigation in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, stating that it is cooperating with federal investigators.

This news follows a report earlier this year by The Wall Street Journal, which revealed that federal officials had launched a civil fraud investigation into how UnitedHealth records patient diagnoses that lead to higher payments for its Medicare Advantage plans.

Medicare Advantage plans are privately run alternatives to traditional Medicare, primarily serving people aged 65 and older. More than 8 million people are currently enrolled in a UnitedHealth Medicare Advantage plan.

Separately, the House Ways and Means Committee held a hearing this week to examine ongoing issues with the Medicare Advantage program.

Rep. Lloyd Doggett, Ranking Member of the Health Subcommittee on the House Ways & Means Committee, delivers a statement during the July 22 hearing.

“Medicare Advantage was sold as a program to save taxpayer dollars and improve the quality of care,” said Rep. Lloyd Doggett (TX) during the hearing, noting that the program has ended up costing taxpayers far more than traditional Medicare.

House Health Subcommittee Chair Vern Buchanan (FL) emphasized the importance of ensuring patients get the care they need. “We have heard many stories of access issues, prior authorization delays, and payment problems that negatively impact patients,” he said.

“Medicare Advantage makes big promises to seniors and is allowed to offer services that traditional Medicare cannot,” said Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans. “That’s why it’s especially important for Congress and the Administration to hold corporations accountable for delivering quality care and rooting out any waste and fraud in the program.”

FRAUD ALERT: Phone Scammers Targeting Medicare Beneficiaries

Law enforcement officials and the Federal Trade Commission are warning about a new Medicare fraud scheme targeting seniors. Scammers are exploiting recent changes to Social Security and Medicare—introduced by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency—to trick beneficiaries and defraud the Medicare system.

Posing as employees from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), scammers are calling seniors and claiming they need to “update” or “verify” personal information. But these calls are not legitimate. The scammers are collecting Medicare numbers and other sensitive information to submit fraudulent claims for medical equipment or medication, pocketing the reimbursements.

It’s important to know: CMS will never call you unless you’ve contacted them first. They are not issuing new Medicare cards. If you receive a call claiming you need to verify your Medicare number or are being issued a new card, it’s a scam.

“As long as older adults keep their Medicare information private and avoid phone calls asking for these details, they should not have to worry about being taken advantage of,” said Alliance President Robert Roach, Jr. “Make sure to stay on high

alert and protect your Medicare card and number as if it was a credit card.”

If you believe your Medicare number has been compromised or want to report a suspicious call, contact Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

You’re Invited: Webinar on the Republican Tax and Budget Plan and Seniors

The Alliance is hosting a free webinar “The Ugly Truth About the One Big Beautiful Bill” on Thursday, July 31, at 4 PM ET. Join Legislative Representative David Simon and Field Mobilization Director Maureen Dunn to learn more about how the Republican budget bill will harm retirees, and ways Alliance members are fighting back.

Please click here to RSVP for the event!

KFF Health News: Trump Voters Wanted Relief From Medical Bills. For Millions, the Bills Are About To Get Bigger.

By Noam N. Levey

President Donald Trump rode to reelection last fall on voter concerns about prices. But as his administration pares back federal rules and programs designed to protect patients from the high cost of health care, Trump risks pushing more Americans into debt, further straining family budgets already stressed by medical bills.

Millions of people are expected to lose health insurance in the coming years as a result of the tax cut legislation Trump signed this month, leaving them with fewer protections from large bills if they get sick or suffer an accident.

At the same time, significant increases in health plan premiums on state insurance marketplaces next year will likely push more Americans to either drop coverage or switch to higher-deductible plans that will require them to pay more out-of-pocket before their insurance kicks in.

Click here to read more.

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