What Next | Daily News and Analysis Why United Healthcare Is Easy to Hate
Dec 10, 2024
Dan Diamond, a national health reporter for The Washington Post, explores the public outrage following the tragic murder of UnitedHealthcare's CEO. He delves into the company's controversial role in America’s healthcare system, highlighting patient frustrations over claim denials and a recent cybersecurity breach. Diamond emphasizes the systemic flaws and disparities in access within healthcare, while discussing how the CEO's death may influence insurance policies and accountability measures going forward.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
UnitedHealthcare's Aggressive Denials
- UnitedHealthcare, the largest US health insurer, has been aggressively denying care, particularly to older patients.
- They often deny follow-up services requested by physicians, like post-acute care after hospital stays.
Prior Authorizations and Denials
- UnitedHealthcare denies more claims and requires more prior authorizations than other insurers.
- This is partly due to their large size, leading to more negative experiences.
UnitedHealth Group's Vast Reach
- UnitedHealth Group, a $400 billion company, is the fourth largest in the US.
- It has holdings in various healthcare sectors, leading to widespread influence.