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UnitedHealthcare, the nation’s largest health insurer whose CEO was murdered earlier this month, is accused in a new article of actively working to reduce access to a treatment deemed “critical” for children with autism.
a report by ProPublica claims UnitedHealthcare is strategically limiting access to applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy for autistic patients as a way to reduce costs. The report was based on internal documents obtained by the outlet that supposedly show the company’s strategy, developed by its mental health benefits division, Optum.
UnitedHealthcare corporate headquarters on December 4, 2024 in Minnetonka, Minnesota. Brian Thompson, CEO of United Healthcare, was shot to death on the street in New York City before attending the company’s annual investor meeting. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images/Getty Images)
| Heart | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNH | UNITEDHEALTH GROUP INC. | 610.20 | +1.82 |
+0.30% |
According to the report, UnitedHealthcare recognizes ABA as the “gold standard, evidence-based treatment for those with medically necessary needs,” but the company aims to “prevent new providers” of the therapy from joining its network and eliminate existing ones by despite “many years.” waiting lists” for treatment in some areas.
The report states that Optum’s strategy specifically targets children insured through Medicaid, a federal program administered through states that provides health coverage to low-income people.
FOX Business has reached out to UnitedHealthcare and Optum for comment.
UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, in New York City. (FOX 5 New York/WNYW | UnitedHealth/Fox News)
UnitedHealthcare has been in the spotlight since CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed in New York City on December 4 by a lone gunman.
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Murder suspect Luigi Mangione reportedly singled out UnitedHealthcare in a handwritten manifesto, noting the size of the company and how much money it makes. However, Mangione was not a member of UnitedHealthcare.
Suspected shooter Luigi Mangione is brought to Blair County Court for an extradition hearing on December 10, 2024 in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. (Jeff Swensen/Getty Images/Getty Images)
Following Thompson’s murder, many people on social media expressed indifference to his murder and, in some cases, he even made fun of itexpressing their frustrations with the American healthcare system.
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Last week, Andrew Witty, CEO of UnitedHealthcare’s parent company, UnitedHealth Group, wrote an opinion piece in The New York Times, calling for health care reform and greater transparency in the industry.
