Aug 26 (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department's

criminal division is digging into business practices at

UnitedHealth Group's ( UNH ) pharmacy benefit manager, Optum Rx,

Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with

the matter.

Under an ongoing probe into the company's operations, the

investigators are looking into its prescription management

services and how it reimburses its own doctors, the report

added.

UnitedHealth ( UNH ) is also under investigation by the U.S. DoJ

over its Medicare business, a U.S. government program that

covers medical costs for individuals aged 65 and older and those

with disabilities.

When contacted for comments on Tuesday, the company

directed Reuters to its July filing, where the conglomerate said

it is

complying

with both criminal and

civil

requests from the federal agency.

The Justice Department has not accused UnitedHealth ( UNH ) or

its executives of wrongdoing and the existence of a probe does

not mean that charges will be filed, the report added.

The DoJ did not immediately respond to a Reuters request

for comment.

Optum Rx is one of the top three pharmacy benefit

managers in the United States.

Pharmacy benefit managers negotiate drug prices and

create coverage lists for health plans, mainly for employers and

the government. They pay pharmacies directly for prescription

drugs under their agreed terms.

They have come under fire from lawmakers as well

President Donald Trump. The president has called them middlemen

who drive up costs and said he plans to

eliminate

their role.