Insurance Industry in the Spotlight: Anger Over Denied Claims Surfaces

The morning murder of UnitedHealthcare's CEO, Brian Thompson, sparked a wave of social media outrage. People shared stories of denied medical claims, highlighting deep frustrations with the healthcare system. Thompson's widow hinted at possible threats related to coverage issues, though the motive remains unknown. A book titled "Delay Deny Defend" is being looked at for clues, as it criticizes the insurance industry. A survey by KFF found that many insured adults face claim denials yearly. This isn't surprising, given that insurers often use AI to deny care, which can be reversed but causes delays and financial strain. Only about half of denied claims are appealed, and even then, results vary. Medicare Advantage plans, including those from UnitedHealthcare, have also been criticized for inappropriate denials. The industry is under scrutiny, and people are calling for change.