UnitedHealthcare's 'Advantage' Turns Disadvantageous: DOJ Hunts for Medicare Fraud!

May the Odds Be Ever NOT In Your Favor: UnitedHealth's Stockpiling Problems

Well folks looks like someone's about to have a worse day than when Peeta decided to reveal his feelings on national television. UnitedHealth Group the big cheese in healthcare is getting grilled by the U.S. Department of Justice for get this potential Medicare fraud. Remember when President Snow always said everything was for the ‘greater good’? Seems like UnitedHealth was aiming for the ‘greater good’ of their bank accounts! Their shares are dropping faster than tributes in the Cornucopia bloodbath. And I thought surviving the Hunger Games was tough; try explaining this to investors!

A Litany of Woes: More Problems Than a Mockingjay Has Songs

It's not just this DOJ thing either. Apparently UnitedHealth is juggling more government inquiries than I had arrows during the Quarter Quell. There's been a sudden change in top leadership which frankly sounds like they're trying to find a scapegoat faster than Haymitch finds a bottle. And to top it all off they pulled their outlook because of 'soaring medical costs.' Soaring costs? Tell me about it! Have you seen the price of healthcare in Panem... I mean the U.S.? It’s enough to make you volunteer as tribute for a cheaper plan!

Investors Brace for Impact: Looks Like the Odds are NOT Ever in Their Favour

Some fancy pants analyst called Susannah Streeter (sounds like a Capitol name to me) said that investors are bracing for another 'big bout of turbulence'. Well duh! Their stock already tanked 18% hitting a four year low. If things keep going this way UnitedHealth’s market cap will be cut in half which is about as pleasant as getting stung by tracker jackers. They claim they haven't been notified by the DOJ and stand by their Medicare Advantage program. Sure Jan. Sounds a lot like President Snow denying any involvement in… well anything!

Back to the Arena: Old Faces in New Fires

They've dragged Stephen Hemsley back as CEO tasking him with steering this sinking ship. It's like bringing Haymitch back to coach another tribute – you know he's experienced but you also know he's probably got a flask hidden somewhere. Between federal probes those soaring costs and a cyber attack (seriously who attacks healthcare companies?) Hemsley’s got his work cut out for him. Maybe he should ask Peeta for some camouflage tips; things are getting ugly.

Kickbacks and Chaos: The Hunger Games of Health Insurance

The health insurance industry is under the microscope especially after a lawsuit alleging that major insurers paid kickbacks to brokers. Kickbacks! It’s like bribing the Gamemakers – completely unfair and totally Capitol. Then there was that civil fraud investigation into their Medicare practices and Senator Chuck Grassley (definitely not a Capitol name) is demanding compliance records. Compliance? That’s a laugh. Remember when we tried to comply with the Capitol’s rules? Didn’t end too well did it?

Dominance and Downfall: From Mockingjay to Mocking Stock

UnitedHealth flourished for decades by being the biggest bully on the block expanding into everything and dominating the Medicare market. But now all that success is crumbling faster than District 12 after a bombing raid. And it all happened just months after one of their executives was allegedly killed over insurer practices. Talk about a dark twist. Seems like even in the world of healthcare “hope is the only thing stronger than fear,” but right now fear seems to be winning. As for UnitedHealth? Well may the odds be ever in *their* favor… because they're gonna need it.