Record Penalty Against Health Insurers Gets State Top Court Look

Massachusetts’ high court will review a blockbuster $50 million restitution order against three UnitedHealthcare companies that was touted as a record for civil penalties recovered by the state in a consumer protection case.

The Supreme Judicial Court on Wednesday approved direct review of the trial court’s restitution order and additional $115 million in civil penalties issued against HealthMarkets Inc., Health Markets Insurance Agency Inc. and Chesapeake Life Insurance Co. The companies were found to have violated a consent order by misleading consumers with false advertising and questionable marketing.

They asked the justices to reverse the eight-figure restitution order, among other ...