Texas AG Paxton Launches Investigation Into UnitedHealth Group

By Elias Schisgall

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched an investigation into UnitedHealth Group, accusing the healthcare company of illegal practices that have blocked access to healthcare for Texans.

Paxton has sent civil investigative demands to the company to collect evidence around potential violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, according to a Monday statement from his office.

The statement highlighted reports alleging that United bribed nursing homes to delay hospitalizations for patients, directed and in some cases denied patient care over physicians' judgement, and retroactively withdrew its approval of a prior-authorization request for one Texas patient.

"No Texan should be denied medically necessary care, dragged through endless appeals, or stuck with devastating bills after trusting their insurer's word," Paxton said. "My office will gather the evidence, stand up to this multinational conglomerate, and make sure Texans get the coverage they pay for."

UnitedHealth Group didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Paxton's investigation adds to heavy regulatory and media scrutiny of United. A series of articles in The Wall Street Journal reported that UnitedHealth received billions of dollars in federal payments by adding diagnoses to patients records, including some diagnoses that were questionable or inaccurate.

United has previously disputed the accuracy of the Journal's reporting.

The Journal reported last year that the Justice Department was investigating the company for possible criminal Medicare fraud, citing people familiar with the matter. And a Senate committee earlier this year released a report that said United had used aggressive tactics to collect lucrative diagnoses for Medicare Advantage members.

Paxton's investigation comes as the attorney general is vying for a Senate seat with Democratic candidate James Talarico in one of the country's most closely-watched midterm elections.

Write to Elias Schisgall at elias.schisgall@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

October 05, 2026 12:26 ET (16:26 GMT)