UnitedHealth’s Optum Radiology division expands imaging services on East Coast

UnitedHealth Group’s Optum Radiology division is expanding imaging offerings in New York state’s Hudson Valley, the company announced on Wednesday. 

The organization plans to host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, Aug. 4, celebrating its “region-wide investment” in “state-of-the-art imaging.” Optum—the largest employer of physicians in the U.S., now representing over 90,000 docs—said it’s building a “fully integrated radiology network.”

It now offers 3D mammography across five locations including Middletown, Monroe, Newburgh, Rock Hill and West Nyack. 

“This expansion reflects Optum's long-term commitment to delivering the highest quality care across the Hudson Valley,” Jon Nasser, MD, MBA, chief executive officer of Optum New York and New Jersey, said in a July 30 announcement. "By investing in state-of-the-art proactive breast imaging technology and expanding access to advanced mammography services, we're living up to our promise to support earlier detection, faster diagnoses and stronger outcomes for women.”

Optum is executing the expansion in partnership with Crystal Run Healthcare, a 400-physician group that operates in radiology and over 50 other specialties. UnitedHealth bought the Middletown, New York-based practice in 2023, one of several such acquisitions in recent years. Optum said the imaging expansion will be coupled with its High-Risk Breast Cancer Program and expansion of its local, no-cost Nurse Navigator initiative. 

Monday’s ribbon-cutting marks the continuation of a “multiyear, multimillion-dollar investment in advancing healthcare imaging across the Hudson Valley,” Optum said. It also includes the installation of five new MRI scanners in the region and modernization of X-ray and ultrasound imaging technology over the past year. 

“In addition, unifying Optum Radiology's network is part of building a smarter, more connected health system,” the company said in its announcement. “It helps ensure faster imaging read times and seamless record-sharing. Patients also have access to a larger pool of local, specialized radiologists and better access to imaging services wherever it's most convenient.”

Optum did not respond to a Radiology Business request for further comment on the announcement Wednesday. 

UnitedHealth Group has faced questions about conflicts of interest as it builds its physician services division. Along with employing the largest network of docs in the U.S., it owns the country’s largest commercial health plan, UnitedHealthcare. UHC was in the news this week amid reports it is refusing to compromise in contract negotiations with a private radiology practice in Tennessee. 

Several other imaging groups also have reported difficulties reaching in-network deals with UHC. They’ve included ARA Diagnostic Imaging in Austin, Texas; Southwest Medical Imaging in Scottsdale, Arizona; and Envision Healthcare, Nashville, Tennessee. In the California market, Optum has purchased specialty and primary care practices, along with outpatient imaging centers. Meanwhile, its insurance counterpart has worked to “limit access due to unfair rates for providers and engaging in patient steerage tactics,” according to Nicole Jones-Gerbino, president of PBS Radiology Business Experts. 

“The conflict of interest is obvious,” said radiologist Tarang Patel, DO, a healthcare commentator and CEO of Radiology One, a private imaging group based in Arizona. “Only physicians seem to be limited by the government regulations. No one else (MBAs, health systems and insurance companies) have such restrictions in terms of ownership.”

Lawmakers also have criticized the healthcare conglomerate and its vertical integration strategy. The Department of Justice recently launched an investigation into UHG focused on its Medicare Advantage business. 

 “United owns the insurance company, they own your doctor, they own the pharmacy, and they own the software that processes all of your information—and they use it all to keep prices high and drive quality down. Enough,” Rep. Pat Ryan, D-N.Y., said in a statement May 20.