Ken Paxton is on the hunt for evidence that UnitedHealth is breaking the Deceptive Trade Practices Act and other Texas laws, citing “alarming reports” of denied care.

The new investigation builds onto UnitedHealth’s existing regulatory woes. In recent years, the Minnesota-based healthcare giant has been subjected to probes from the Department of Justice, federal watchdogs and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle over its Medicare billing practices, nursing home care denials and other topics.

The information that has come to light to date has largely been unflattering for UnitedHealth, which has remade its corporate structure, rejigged leadership, embarked on internal review and pledged greater transparency as it tries to improve its public image.

Now, UnitedHealth’s rehabilitation plan faces a wrinkle in Texas, with Paxton, the state’s firebrand attorney general and Republican candidate for Senate, accusing the company of overriding physicians’ medical judgment to benefit its own bottom line.

According to Paxton, in one case UnitedHealth approved a Texas patient’s treatment at an Austin surgical center but withdrew approval after the procedure was completed, leaving the patient with a hefty bill.

“Alarming reports keep piling up about how United treats Texas consumers,” Paxton said in a statement. “I will not tolerate any insurance company putting illegal corporate greed over the people of Texas.”

It’s Paxton’s latest crackdown against a health insurer over allegedly improper care denials and delays. Late last month, Paxton said he was launching an investigation into Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas and its parent company, Health Care Service Corporation, over the issue.

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