The U.S. Justice Department's criminal division is digging into UnitedHealth Group Inc.'s prescription management services as well as how it reimburses its own doctors under an ongoing probe into the firm's operations, according to people familiar with the matter.

The previously unreported areas of the probe show the scrutiny is broader than was known and goes beyond an inquiry into possible Medicare fraud. Investigators are looking into business practices at the company's pharmacy benefit manager Optum Rx, in addition to the physician payments, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing a confidential matter.

The Justice Department hasn't accused UnitedHealth or its executives of wrongdoing, and the existence of a probe doesn't mean that charges will be filed.

But the b

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