UnitedHealthcare will pay $15.7M in settlement of denial of care charges

[question everything]

Source: StarTribune

UnitedHealthcare, the largest U.S. health insurer, has settled federal and New York state charges it illegally denied coverage to thousands of patients suffering from mental health problems and substance abuse.

The U.S. Department of Labor said on Thursday that UnitedHealth Group, the insurer's parent company, will pay about $15.7 million, including $13.6 million in restitution and a $2.1 million fine, to settle with that agency and New York Attorney General Letitia James.

Authorities accused UnitedHealthcare of violating federal and state laws by imposing more restrictive limits on coverage and treatment for mental health and substance abuse disorders than it imposed for physical health conditions. UnitedHealthcare also was accused of overcharging patients for out-of-network mental health services by reducing reimbursements.

Without admitting liability, UnitedHealthcare agreed to stop using algorithms, including in a program called ALERT, that required extra layers of review before continuing mental health treatment and often resulted in coverage being cut off.


Read more: https://www.startribune.com/unitedhealthcare-will-pay-15-7m-in-settlement-of-denial-of-care-charges/600087607/

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I really don't understand why AARP has been promoting it. A for profit paper shuffler listed on the exchange and paying millions to their top executives.

[keopeli]

1. How can they get away with 'not admitting liability'?!?! What a corrupt country we live in!!!

[Bengus81]

5. Just like Boeing does on Gov contracts

Gouges the shit out of tax payers,gets fined by the Feds and then pays $5-$10 million $$$ fines but admits ZERO liability. Then off to the next contract.

[Bengus81]

2. The Company that AARP claims is best for seniors......

I have Medicare supplemental with them and they've jacked it $50 a month since mid 2019.

I'll be looking at something different here in a month or two during Medicare supplemental "season".

[twodogsbarking]

3. Can't even imagine how many attorneys were involved.

Deals were made. American justice.

[not fooled]

4. Hasn't AARP

devolved into basically a for-profit insurance outlet for "Medicare" Advantage and MediGap policies?

So they are on the dark side and not to be trusted.

[Bengus81]

6. Pretty much...I signed on for five years first time and re-upped for just one year last time

You can get some deals on hotel rooms and rental cars but who the hell has traveled much in the last 1.5 years? I sure haven't.

[Bengus81]

7. Let me guess,imposed new restrictive limits on coverage over a three martini lunch with execs....

"Authorities accused United Healthcare of violating federal and state laws by imposing more restrictive limits on coverage and treatment for mental health and substance abuse disorders than it imposed for physical health conditions."

[yaesu]

8. It won't even register to a fraud outfit like them who rack in billions every year. nt

[Ford_Prefect]

9. AARP was compromised by Corporate Ins. and medical services groups before the ACA passed.

It's rather like the relationship between the Pentagon and the Arms and contracting industries.

[Politicub]

10. I fucking hate insurance companies. I'm grateful for coverage, but insurance companies exist

to find loopholes so they don't need to meet their obligations to pay for things.

As for the AARP, they don't promote United Healthcare out of the goodness of their hearts. It's a financial relationship, where AARP makes money as de facto marketers of United HC Medicare Advantage plans.

[elleng]

11. causing mental health issues to exacerbate.

'Thanks,' united + aarp.

[area51]

12. Who knew

that allowing lightly-regulated, for-profit insurance companies to control access to healthcare could cause such problems?