US Health System Is ‘Not Perfect’, Says CEO of UnitedHealth Group
In a guest essay in the New York Times, Andrew Witty, the CEO of UnitedHealth Group, acknowledged that the US health system is “not perfect” and that coverage decisions are “not well understood”. Witty wrote that the system is a “patchwork” built over decades and that no one designed it as it is, but rather it has evolved over time.
Witty also defended UnitedHealthcare, the company’s health insurance arm, saying that it shares responsibility for the lack of understanding about decisions on care. He noted that behind each decision is a comprehensive and continually updated body of clinical evidence focused on achieving the best health outcomes and ensuring patient safety.
Witty’s comments come in the aftermath of the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, who was killed in midtown Manhattan. Witty praised Thompson, saying he “fought for preventive health and quality health outcomes rather than just adding more tests and procedures”.
The shooting has put a spotlight on the frustrations of many Americans with their health insurance and the complexities of the US healthcare system. Many have taken to social media to express their concerns, and journalists have reported on the ways in which insurance companies may benefit from restricting care.
The incident may prompt UnitedHealthcare and other insurers to make changes, but it is unclear what kind of reforms will be implemented. Some experts suggest that it may take years for reforms to occur, while others believe that the murder of the CEO will be a catalyst for change.
In response to the shooting, UnitedHealthcare has said that it “approves and pays about 90% of medical claims upon submission”, with around 0.5% of claims denied due to medical or clinical reasons. The company has also acknowledged that it is working to improve how it explains its coverage decisions.
The healthcare industry is complex and has many players with competing interests, making it challenging to implement reforms. However, experts believe that patients and their advocates will play a key role in pushing for change.