MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota-based UnitedHealthcare Group Inc. has faced a firestorm of controversy this year. And as investigators search for a motive in the slaying of Brian Thompson, CEO of its insurance arm, they aren't counting anything out.Between a software attack, protests, lawsuits and layoffs by one of its subsidiaries, Thompson's killing adds a tragic end to a troubled year for the company.In February, the technology company Change Healthcare — a UnitedHealth Group Inc.
That same month, HealthPartners announced it was leaving UnitedHealthcare's Medicare Advantage network due to what they cited as the insurer's high claim denial rate. Optum, a subsidiary that provides several healthcare services, laid off workers in several other states in September.And last month, the U.S. Department of Justice sued UnitedHealth Group Inc. over allegations of antitrust violations in the company's $3.3 billion bid to acquire Amedisys Inc.