Human judgment must remain central to health insurance claims: California law
(mercurynews.com)
Last year, about a quarter of all health insurance claims were denied in California — a reality mirrored nationwide that has stoked public anger toward health care companies, and led to accusations that such decisions lack human empathy.
Last year, about a quarter of all health insurance claims were denied in California — a reality mirrored nationwide that has stoked public anger toward health care companies, and led to accusations that such decisions lack human empathy.
Her Treatment Was Helping. That's Why Insurance Cut Off Her Coverage
(propublica.org)
Moore, 32, had spent much of the past eight months in treatment for severe depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety when BCBS said it would no longer pay for the program in January.
Moore, 32, had spent much of the past eight months in treatment for severe depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety when BCBS said it would no longer pay for the program in January.
I Was a Health Insurance Executive. What I Saw Made Me Quit.
(nytimes.com)
I left my job as a health insurance executive at Cigna after a crisis of conscience.
I left my job as a health insurance executive at Cigna after a crisis of conscience.
Insurers limit coverage of prosthetic limbs, questioning their medical necessity
(cbsnews.com)
Health insurers limit coverage of prosthetic limbs, questioning their medical necessity
Health insurers limit coverage of prosthetic limbs, questioning their medical necessity
Cory Doctorow's prescient novella about health insurance and murder
(theguardian.com)
Five years ago, the science fiction writer Cory Doctorow published a short story whose plot might seem eerily similar to followers of the past few weeks’ news.
Five years ago, the science fiction writer Cory Doctorow published a short story whose plot might seem eerily similar to followers of the past few weeks’ news.
I Was a Health Insurance Executive. What I Saw Made Me Quit
(nytimes.com)
I left my job as a health insurance executive at Cigna after a crisis of conscience.
I left my job as a health insurance executive at Cigna after a crisis of conscience.
I Was a Health Insurance Executive. What I Saw Made Me Quit
(nytimes.com)
I left my job as a health insurance executive at Cigna after a crisis of conscience.
I left my job as a health insurance executive at Cigna after a crisis of conscience.
Health Insurance is a Racket. What value do these companies add, really?
(paulkrugman.substack.com)
It’s not news that many Americans dislike health insurance companies. In fact, Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare who was murdered two weeks ago, reportedly warned his colleagues months ago that the industry had a public relations problem. Still, the glee with which substantial numbers of people reacted to his death and the elevation by some of Luigi Mangione, his alleged killer, to folk-hero status has come as a shock.
It’s not news that many Americans dislike health insurance companies. In fact, Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare who was murdered two weeks ago, reportedly warned his colleagues months ago that the industry had a public relations problem. Still, the glee with which substantial numbers of people reacted to his death and the elevation by some of Luigi Mangione, his alleged killer, to folk-hero status has come as a shock.
CA Law Prohibits Health Insurance Companies from Using AI to Deny Healthcare
(senate.ca.gov)
Sacramento, CA—As 2025 approaches, Californians can look forward to strengthened patient protections under the new Physicians Make Decisions Act (SB 1120), authored by Senator Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park). This groundbreaking law ensures that decisions about medical treatments are made by licensed health care providers, not solely determined by artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms used by health insurers.
Sacramento, CA—As 2025 approaches, Californians can look forward to strengthened patient protections under the new Physicians Make Decisions Act (SB 1120), authored by Senator Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park). This groundbreaking law ensures that decisions about medical treatments are made by licensed health care providers, not solely determined by artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms used by health insurers.
The entire healthcare system is broken, not just health insurance companies
(sensible-med.com)
The American health care system is profoundly broken. We spend more than any peer nation, and have worse outcomes. Worse, for what we pay, the system is not even user friendly.
The American health care system is profoundly broken. We spend more than any peer nation, and have worse outcomes. Worse, for what we pay, the system is not even user friendly.
Feds help health insurers hide their dirty secret: denials on the rise
(nypost.com)
The health insurance industry’s dirty secret is that it’s no longer selling insurance: It’s selling a crapshoot.
The health insurance industry’s dirty secret is that it’s no longer selling insurance: It’s selling a crapshoot.
Anthem drops controversial new plan to cap anesthesia coverage after backlash
(usatoday.com)
After receiving intense backlash, a health insurance provider has rolled back its plan to implement a new policy that would have limited its coverage for anesthesia used during procedures.
After receiving intense backlash, a health insurance provider has rolled back its plan to implement a new policy that would have limited its coverage for anesthesia used during procedures.
Torrent of Hate for Health Insurance Industry Follows CEO's Killing
(nytimes.com)
The fatal shooting on Wednesday of a top UnitedHealthcare executive, Brian Thompson, on a Manhattan sidewalk has unleashed a torrent of morbid glee from patients and others who say they have had negative experiences with health insurance companies at some of the hardest times of their lives.
The fatal shooting on Wednesday of a top UnitedHealthcare executive, Brian Thompson, on a Manhattan sidewalk has unleashed a torrent of morbid glee from patients and others who say they have had negative experiences with health insurance companies at some of the hardest times of their lives.
United Healthcare CEO Shooting: Message May Have Been Left on Bullets
(newsweek.com)
There are unconfirmed reports that the shooter who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in midtown Manhattan on Wednesday morning, in what police are describing as a "targeted attack," may have left a message for investigators.
There are unconfirmed reports that the shooter who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in midtown Manhattan on Wednesday morning, in what police are describing as a "targeted attack," may have left a message for investigators.
Americans React to UnitedHealthcare CEO's Murder: 'My Empathy Is Out of Network'
(gizmodo.com)
When the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, Brian Thompson, was killed in a targeted shooting Wednesday morning in New York, politicians from his home state of Minnesota posted sympathetic messages on social media. But those responses of support were soon drowned out by a very different tone, as people shared horror stories of being denied covered by the health insurance company and made morbid jokes comparing the CEO’s death to the ways they’ve been mistreated by the U.S. health care system.
When the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, Brian Thompson, was killed in a targeted shooting Wednesday morning in New York, politicians from his home state of Minnesota posted sympathetic messages on social media. But those responses of support were soon drowned out by a very different tone, as people shared horror stories of being denied covered by the health insurance company and made morbid jokes comparing the CEO’s death to the ways they’ve been mistreated by the U.S. health care system.
UnitedHealth's Playbook for Limiting Mental Health Coverage
(propublica.org)
For years, it was a mystery: Seemingly out of the blue, therapists would feel like they’d tripped some invisible wire and become a target of UnitedHealth Group.
For years, it was a mystery: Seemingly out of the blue, therapists would feel like they’d tripped some invisible wire and become a target of UnitedHealth Group.
Anthem Blue Cross Won't Pay for the Complete Duration of Anesthesia for Surgery
(asahq.org)
In an unprecedented move, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield plans representing Connecticut, New York and Missouri have unilaterally declared it will no longer pay for anesthesia care if the surgery or procedure goes beyond an arbitrary time limit, regardless of how long the surgical procedure takes.
In an unprecedented move, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield plans representing Connecticut, New York and Missouri have unilaterally declared it will no longer pay for anesthesia care if the surgery or procedure goes beyond an arbitrary time limit, regardless of how long the surgical procedure takes.
CEO of UnitedHealthcare Is Fatally Shot in Midtown Manhattan
(nytimes.com)
The chief executive of UnitedHealthcare, one of the nation’s largest health insurers, was fatally shot outside a hotel in Midtown Manhattan on Wednesday morning, the police said.
The chief executive of UnitedHealthcare, one of the nation’s largest health insurers, was fatally shot outside a hotel in Midtown Manhattan on Wednesday morning, the police said.
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson fatally shot outside of Hilton hotel
(nypost.com)
The CEO of UnitedHealth was fatally shot in the chest Wednesday morning outside the Hilton hotel in Midtown in what police say was a targeted attack.
The CEO of UnitedHealth was fatally shot in the chest Wednesday morning outside the Hilton hotel in Midtown in what police say was a targeted attack.
UnitedHealth's Playbook for Limiting Mental Health Coverage
(propublica.org)
For years, it was a mystery: Seemingly out of the blue, therapists would feel like they’d tripped some invisible wire and become a target of UnitedHealth Group.
For years, it was a mystery: Seemingly out of the blue, therapists would feel like they’d tripped some invisible wire and become a target of UnitedHealth Group.
The Company Helping America's Health Insurers Deny Coverage for Care
(propublica.org)
Every day, patients across America crack open envelopes with bad news. Yet another health insurer has decided not to pay for a treatment that their doctor has recommended. Sometimes it’s a no for an MRI for a high school wrestler with a strained back. Sometimes for a cancer procedure that will help a grandmother with a throat tumor. Sometimes for a heart scan for a truck driver feeling short of breath.
Every day, patients across America crack open envelopes with bad news. Yet another health insurer has decided not to pay for a treatment that their doctor has recommended. Sometimes it’s a no for an MRI for a high school wrestler with a strained back. Sometimes for a cancer procedure that will help a grandmother with a throat tumor. Sometimes for a heart scan for a truck driver feeling short of breath.
How a Customer Got Trapped in Ambetter's Ghost Network
(propublica.org)
Ravi Coutinho bought a health insurance plan thinking it would deliver on its promise of access to mental health providers. But even after 21 phone calls and multiple hospitalizations, no one could find him a therapist.
Ravi Coutinho bought a health insurance plan thinking it would deliver on its promise of access to mental health providers. But even after 21 phone calls and multiple hospitalizations, no one could find him a therapist.