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Killing of health insurance CEO draws attention to frustration over denied claims

www.nbcnews.com

Killing of health insurance CEO draws attention to frustration over denied claims

Summary

The killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has spotlighted frustrations over denied health insurance claims.

Experts highlight that denied claims are common in the U.S., with 6 in 10 insured adults reporting issues and 1 in 5 emergency claims being refused.

Private insurers often lack transparency, leaving patients and doctors navigating complex policies to secure care.

Denials frequently delay treatment and disproportionately affect low-income individuals, who are less likely to appeal.

Critics argue these systemic issues reflect inequities in U.S. healthcare, intensifying public anger.

4 comments

  • It's the whole system, not just this aspect.

    • So true. Even things like “pre-approvals”. Like, you’ve gone to a medical professional about your problem, you both agree on the right way to go forward. Now you have to get your insurance company’s approval to receive this type of treatment before you start the treatment OR potentially pay out of pocket for what you need. That generally is cost prohibitive and how people get into hundreds of thousands of dollars of medical debt.

  • It's not just health insurance and it's not just in the USA.

    We had contents insurance, specifically to insure our household items whilst in storage. The roof leaked. The insurance company told us to get lost. We appealed. They told us to itemize and cost the losses. We did. They gave us some part of the claim. Rinse and repeat for 12 months. We finally got everything that was destroyed paid out except clothing which they refused outright despite multiple appeals. Their final payment was made exactly a year after our claim and was contingent on us accepting their ruling on clothes.

    It cost more in my labour than what we got back.

    Then there was the hail storm damage on my van which was our home for four years and insured as an RV with the knowledge and advice from the insurance company. They refused the claim because suddenly the vehicle wasn't an RV because it didn't have a sink or windows. Didn't stop them taking our premium for four years.

    Don't get me started on business insurance.

    As I said, it's not just health insurance, or just in the USA.

    Fundamentally we need to come up with a better system because what we have today has nothing to do with insurance and everything to do with extortion.