Hear Two UnitedHealthcare Representatives Discuss Someone’s Health Insurance Case

UnitedHealthcare tried to deny Chris McNaughton health coverage. He fought back, filed a lawsuit and exposed the insurance company’s inner workings.

None of the UnitedHealthcare representatives heard in this video responded to our requests for comment.

Shortly after we published our story, United settled Chris’ lawsuit. The terms are confidential.

Photography by Nate Smallwood, special to ProPublica

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[loishauger]

Real journalism; thank you for your work ✌️

[JenniferSammyrr]

This is absolutely disgusting. Private companies that are only interested in turning a profit shouldn't have control over our health care.

[ChrisNP]

Thank you for sharing this! The health care and insurance companies in the US are despicable. It's sadly not surprising and happens all to often to my patients as well.

[shannonmcdougall]

Worked insurance at a hospital. It's ridiculous the amount of denial appeals that are done for care OUTLINED IN POLICIES AS COVERED.
Denying lifesaving care for a baby...calling a cardiac cath procedure as not medically necessary..Denying wound care covered under policy for 3rd degree burns.
I guarantee that the politicians who take mo ey from these companies never ever have to worry about coverage.

[hildy]

We have United Healthcare. This is right on brand for them.

[sands]

I don't understand a reputable doctor, who has studied and trained for years, signing their name to a nurse's recommendations without checking the medical record or examining the patient.

[amor]

I am an RN and worked for rheumatology doctors and constantly fought with insurance companies because they would I deny oral, injectable and infusion medications! With the excellent doctor notes and my advocacy for the patients I over turned many denial decisions! Ha! I would simply tell them "Well we have no choice to admit the patient to the hospital because of the horrible symptoms patient is experiencing." Some insurance companies already knew my name! 😂

[dvsas]

Almost word for word what they have done to me. On top of it my husband died on 5/13 and the insurance denied everything then said his insurance terminated on 5/12.

[JMosUndefeated]

Their guiding concern was his well being, clearly not. This is what happens when you build an economic system around greed.

[BluetheRaccoon]

How is what insurance companies do not considered practicing medicine without a license?

[sands]

United Healthcare were being ironic when they said their " guiding concern was his [ patient's] wellbeing".

[jollyjime]

Thank you for sharing this information. Keep up the good work.

[ahelena]

Thank you for this. I’ve had some issues with them for sure. Leaving them ASAP!

[A.Rose.G]

You would think signing without reading records would make them all liable for bad outcomes. Terribly greedy, lazy and irresponsible.

[longcastle]

Now please look at Welcare who denies everything—especially dental—and tells you have co pays on stuff they told you would be free when they got you to sign up.

[JjBb-srln]

It’s interesting that “concerns” about someone’s “well being” seems to leads them to denying health insurance claims. What kind of BS statement is that, lol.

Awesome job Pro Publica, keep it up, the insurance industry is full of corruption.

[HonJennCoffey]

United made over 8 Billion in profit for just the first quarter of this year but they refuse to cover life-saving treatments. It's disgusting!

[smaguire]

Let's think real hard about the top earners at these companies. Not to mention the fact that one hand washes the other when it comes to any kind of oversight.

[cynthiaforequity]

United Healthcare, they are terrible.

[maxwellandrewcoats]

You should investigate what health insurance is doing to providers. As a mid-level independent provider 50% of my insurance claims for 2021 where not paid. In 2022, after the passing of the NSA, insurance now pays even less and can pay the QPA (which they make up) by power of the Federal government.