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

Roughly 6 in 10 insured adults experience problems when they use their insurance, including insurers refusing to pay for care.

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.