UnitedHealth Group released the first results of an independent audit of its business practices on December 19, 2025. The audit, conducted by FTI Consulting and The Analytics Group, identified 23 action plans aimed at tightening governance and streamlining operations.
The company said that 65% of the action plans will be finished by the end of 2025, with the remaining 35% slated for completion by the end of March 2026. The plans focus on improving policy organization, centralizing decision‑making, and strengthening governance structures, with particular attention to the HouseCalls program that affects Medicare Advantage payments.
UnitedHealth has faced heightened regulatory scrutiny, including investigations by the Department of Justice into its Medicare billing practices, and public criticism over claims processing errors and long customer‑service wait times. CEO Steve Hemsley emphasized that the audit findings are part of the company’s commitment to transparency and to setting a new standard of accountability in the healthcare marketplace.
The market reaction to the announcement was modest, reflecting cautious optimism about the company’s willingness to address the audit’s recommendations. Investors remain mindful of the broader regulatory environment and the company’s significant decline in market valuation over the year.
By publicly outlining concrete, time‑bound action plans, UnitedHealth aims to rebuild investor confidence and demonstrate operational discipline. The audit’s focus on policy codification and governance improvements signals a shift toward greater process rigor, which could translate into more reliable earnings and reduced compliance risk in the long term.
While the action plans represent a proactive step, UnitedHealth’s ongoing DOJ investigations and the lingering impact of past regulatory challenges continue to pose headwinds. The company’s ability to execute the 23 plans on schedule will be closely watched as a barometer of its resilience and commitment to regulatory compliance.
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