STAT+: UnitedHealth proclaims audits show it has ‘robust’ procedures, in contrast to findings of independent reviews

UnitedHealth Group said Friday that the consultants it hired to audit its operations, including its practice of applying lucrative diagnosis codes to older adults’ records, found they’re not only “robust,” but “industry leading.” 

While the reports give a veneer of transparency, government audits and independent analyses provide far less rosy views of UnitedHealth’s operations — and contradict some of the consultants’ latest findings. The consultants also make clear they are not attorneys and therefore cannot determine whether UnitedHealth’s policies are compliant with federal and state regulations.

UnitedHealth CEO Stephen Hemsley promised in June to share the audit findings once they were complete. Since taking over in May, Hemsley has pledged a new era of transparency and introspection at the embattled health care conglomerate, whose market value has plummeted by more than $160 billion this year amid deteriorating finances and ongoing government investigations. 

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