UnitedHealth pays own physician groups more than others, STAT reports

UnitedHealth (UNH) is paying many of its own physician practices significantly more than it pays other doctor groups in the same markets for similar services, driving up costs for consumers and businesses and undermining competition, STAT’s Bob Herman, Tara Bannow, Casey Ross, and Lizzy Lawrence report. A STAT investigation found that patients end up paying more when they see their doctors and struggle to afford recommended follow-up care, and doctors trying to compete with UnitedHealth’s practices find themselves frozen out of the higher rates the company is paying its own providers, making it more difficult to remain independent and keep their doors open.