Information outlet says UnitedHealthcare restricted ‘important’ care for youths with autism

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UnitedHealthcare, the nation’s largest well being insurer whose CEO was murdered earlier this month, is accused in a brand new article of actively working to scale back entry to a remedy deemed “critical” for youths with autism.

A report from ProPublica claims UnitedHealthcare is strategically limiting entry to utilized conduct evaluation (ABA) remedy for autistic sufferers as a option to reduce prices. The report was based mostly on inside paperwork the outlet obtained that purportedly present the corporate’s technique, developed by its psychological well being advantages division, Optum.

UnitedHealthcare company headquarters on December 4, 2024 in Minnetonka, Minnesota. United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot useless on the road in New York Metropolis earlier than he was to attend the corporate’s annual traders assembly. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Photos / Getty Photos)

Ticker Safety Final Change Change % UNH UNITEDHEALTH GROUP INC. 610.20 +1.82
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In keeping with the report, UnitedHealthcare acknowledges ABA because the “evidence-based gold standard treatment for those with medically necessary needs,” however the firm goals to “prevent new providers” of the remedy from becoming a member of its community and eradicating current ones regardless of “very long waitlists” for the remedy in some areas.

The report claims Optum’s technique particularly targets youngsters insured by Medicaid, a federal program administered by states that gives well being protection to individuals with low incomes.

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FOX Enterprise has reached out to UnitedHealthcare and Optum for remark.

UnitedHealthcare has been within the highlight since chief government Brian Thompson was fatally shot in New York Metropolis on Dec. 4 by a lone gunman. 

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The suspect within the homicide, Luigi Mangione, reportedly singled out UnitedHealthcare in a handwritten manifesto, noting the scale of the corporate and the way a lot cash it makes. Nonetheless, Mangione was not a UnitedHealthcare member.

Suspected shooter Luigi Mangione is led into the Blair County Courthouse for an extradition listening to Dec. 10, 2024 in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. (Jeff Swensen/Getty Photos / Getty Photos)

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Final week, Andrew Witty, CEO of UnitedHealthcare’s mother or father firm, UnitedHealth Group, penned an op-ed in The New York Occasions, calling for well being care reform and better transparency within the business.