The US 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.

An arbiter selects either the provider’s or the insurer’s amount with no other option, and the losing side pays the fees.

Employers are demanding more actionable data, regulators are tightening expectations and members are overwhelmed by confusing cost information they still can’t use in the moments that matter most.

In some cases, employers with more than 50 employees may end up owing penalties if the employees' share of the premiums for their health benefits exceeds official government affordability thresholds for too many employees.