United HealthCare Services
Reviews and Complaints

CONTACT YOUR STATE'S INSURANCE REGULATORY OFFICE. IF YOU CANNOT FIND OUT HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THEM, CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR'S OFFICE - AND THEY SHOULD KNOW.

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU OFFICE TO FIND OUT HOW TO REACH THEM IF YOU CAN'T FIND THEM ONLINE OR IN THE YELLOW PAGES.

THIS IS A VERY COMMON PRACTICE WITH INSURERS. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU CONTACT THESE PEOPLE TO HELP YOU APPEAL THIS SHIFTY, DISHONEST TACTIC:

http://www.advocacyforpatients.org/health.php

THEY HELP PEOPLE FILE APPEALS TO THINGS LIKE THIS ALL THE TIME, THEY CHARGE NOTHING WHATSOEVER, AND THEY HAVE ABOUT AN 85% TO 95% SUCCESS RATE.

ALSO CONTACT YOUR FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVE (CONGRESSMAN AND/OR SENATOR) BECAUSE THEY ARE WORKING ON LEGISLATION RIGHT NOW THAT ADDRESSES INSURANCE COVERAGE IMPROVEMENTS -- AND THEY WANT TO KNOW ABOUT PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN CHEATED BY HEALTH INSURERS THROUGH TACTICS LIKE THIS. IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE PROCEDURES PRE-CERTIFIED, ONLY TO HAVE THE INSURER LIE AND SAY IT WAS NEVER APPROVED. IT'S HAPPENED TO ME.

CONTACT THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION AND LET THEM KNOW ABOUT THIS. THEY'RE ADVOCATING FOR PATIENTS WHO'VE BEEN SCREWED OVER BY INSURERS. ALSO, YOU MIGHT WANT TO CONTACT YOUR LOCAL MEDIA, BECAUSE HEALTH CARE COVERAGE AND DENIALS ARE A VERY, VERY HOT TOPIC RIGHT NOW. IF YOU WANT, THEY CAN KEEP YOUR IDENTITY CONFIDENTIAL.

http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/legislation-advocacy/current-topics-advocacy.shtml

http://www.voicefortheuninsured.org/sharestory.html

GOOD LUCK!

FIGHT THE HELL OUT OF THIS! DON'T LET THEM RUN OVER YOU!

So far this year UHC has paid five claims of ours as out of network for providers that are clearly in network. The reason they give is the provider billed for a code he is not authorized, an extended office visit instead of a regular office visit. This shift the entire claim to my out of pocket. If the provider made a mistake why should it be my responsibility? UHC is really disreputable.

The doctors, clinics, etc should NOT be sending their patients to places for further treatment, that ARE NOT in the network, They are suppose to be knowledgable of whom THEY work with, so don't blame the patient. I see that as your screw up that you pass on to your patients!

United Healthcare exists to rip us off. A brand name drug I take has always been tier 3 with a $50 co-pay. It went generic in December of 2013 and I filled a prescription for the generic version at the tier 1 co-pay of $10. Today, one month later, I go to re-fill the generic and the co-pay is back up to $50 and they have made the generic tier 3. I received no notice of this change. Why would a generic drug be tier 3? Money grubbing ###.

I am thinking Class-Action Lawsuit.

Affinity Healthcare is worse then anyone, A friend on pain medications has had no problems with united healthcare community plan threw medicaid for years now, covering his oxycontin 80mg 8x daily, along with 9 oxy30mg ir for break threw pain. I'am on similar dose's of both meds with Affinity and recently as of JUNE 1st 2012 they sent me a letter saying i was restricted to one pain dr for all Opiate medications. Its a DR iv never seen before, and when i called his office they said all they do is pain injections no pain medicine. So basically affinity picked out a dr that doesn't write oxycodone and restricted me to him ONLY. ! Scam Artists. I changed to United Healthcare, that just went into affect last week, So far they paid for my oxycodone but a prior authorizations needed for the oxycontin, that takes up to 24 hours if the dr says its urgent or 74 hours if its a regular prior approval. So now im stuck at there mercy for a few days waiting for my long acting meds, That i desperately need... The only good thing is affinity healthcare would have my MD call and approve the PA on the phone within 10 minutes. On the down side they made you wait till the 1st of the month to switch new primary care doctors.. So you would have to wait 20-30 days sometimes to see a new dr, and a specialist would require your primary to give a referral to see them... I guess ill soon find out united's policy seeing specialists as i see a endo every other month... If your disabled, older or out of work USA healthcare sucks, exp threw medicaid... Mostly i pay cash for my PM dr, none will take medicaid in my parts. They run the other way... I know most dr's get $35 a patient, and no check/payment comes for 6 months... Thats why they overbook and spend 3-5 mins with each patient.

Same here after my pain management doctor sent in their form filled out to request my subutex it was refused by unitedhealthcare so I guess they want me back to taking more expensive pain killers. So I think i will just go back to oxycontin and let the doctor prescribe oxycontin once again. The oxycontin is even more expensive thant the 2mg 3 daily of subutex. Their out of their minds. I guess it will take someone going ballistic on headquarters to get their attention as to how essential this drug is to a patients' well being. In my opinion alot of chaos will develope in the future between the haves and have nots. So theres my two cents. Wake up UNITED HEALTHCARE and quit letting your customers needlessly suffer, jerks! Jim Shook Charlotte, North Carolina PS I have been on this stuff for three near four years and now pay cash which is five dollars per pill. I have to needlessly suffer behind some rich ### GREED>

I have been taking Subutex for 5-years under BC/BS - recently moved to CO and was only offerd United H.C. - when my RX was picked up I was appalled to find out the medication was 1, 000. $500 more than the cost without insurance in FL and was NOT covered by U.H.C. - This medication saved my life and to find that it is not covered and $1, 000 a month was so heartbreaking. I don;t understand why a "health care provider", would take away medicationjs that 1. Save Lives 2. Eliminate future mnedical costs due to complications from not affording your medications and 3. Threaten the lives of their customers by taking away medication. In the long-run it will cost thgem more in hospital bills because people will become ill by not taking their PRESCRIBED MEDS. APPALLING! They cover nothing and I am opting to go with an insurance company that covers my medications as the savings between paying their member dues and my medications would clearly be a better alternative. THIS PLAN IS THE WORST I HAVE EVER SEEN!

I also take Forteo and have done so for over a year now. My husband recently lost his job and had to go on COBRA. There was a period where I had the same problem as your wife and was at risk of not getting a new monthly supply of the medication. Fortunately, I had somehow been able to get about 3-5 more days from each vial, which enabled me to bridge the time between when the insurance company would not cover me for additional months and when it finally was re-instated.

First of all, it is not UHC that approves or denies drugs...that would be your prescription drug plan. A formulary is available upon request. Second, most drugs that are preauthorized by your physician are covered to some degree if it is deemed medically necessary so maybe you need to go back to your physician and ask for a preauth to be sent to the company for approval. Hope that this gives you the avenue that you need to find a resolution to a very common misunderstanding.

Did you know it takes you complaining just a little over 40, 000 times before UHC starts to care? I was experiencing a problem with them processing my claims timely and accurately. Using firefox, I downloaded the imacro add on. Logged onto myuhc.com as usual. Then hit record on the imacro, click feedback and issued my complaint and submitted it. I then stopped recording the macro. I then used the macro play loop, looping the macro 99, 999 and minimized the window. I found that in about 4 hours 10, 000 complaints would be sent this way...four days later 42K complains later UHC was calling trying to solve the problem. So I encourage you to do the same. They start caring when your feedback starts impacting their stats.

United Health Care, CEO, BOARD MEMBERS, EXECUTIVE STAFF and you loving management personnel. Listen up man !
I won't waste my breath with my true story of what you ### did to me. However, Washington, The FBI and all law enforcement who don't have the balls to come after you need to realize the money you pay for lobbyist, for a Senators or Congressman's election will end as that money your spending is our money your customers. Oh you don't remember us as your too busy denying our claims each and everyone of us. I challenge Law Enforcement if you have the Balls to bring down this filth as they are tearing apart good families and stealing from us good, hard working people.

Listen up everyone write THE FBI, YOUR CONGRESSMAN, YOUr SENATOR and lets get criminal action going. Write Barbra Walters ABC NEWS and any news organization you can who will listen. Let them see each web sites with complaints logged on line. Lets get these jerks. Who the hell do they think they are messing with. One last thing remember we are the people and we the people control United Healths Destiny. Yes I seen the abusive tactics your corp does each and everyday as I'm a victim. As I ponder how to legally get you back legally with law enforcement, attorneys and the great people of America I 'm sitting her thinking how wonderful it is going to be getting you put in jail. I have one promise to you Mr. CEO I'm coming for your ### you ###. I'm not the least bit surprised about you ways after dealing with your company at many levels to see a fraudulent corporation with cover ups, lies and stealing.

May God Please you souls.
Happy New Year,
Who Loves You Baby?

United Health Care denied my medical claim for a walker because they said I have another insurance, "Delta Dental". I said why on earth did you summit a medical device to a dental insurance company after my hip surgery. Now on the line with a person that I can't understand and there are no managers or supervisors to talk to. Going on one hour now. Wish we could bill them for our time.

UHC has denied a legitimate claim for my stepmother, who was prescribed an oxygen generator for her COPD and cancer. The machine was purchased in February 2020 and been fighting for reimbursement since. My stepmother passed away in January 2021, and my 85 year old father and I have been fighting for almost 2 years - each time getting a runaround, more demands, "lost" claims, and each time they promise to pay within 30 days (of course they do not). I have filed a claim with California Insurance Commissioner today on behalf of my father - one should not be toyed with for 2 years in hopes my father will give up on a $4,000 + claim! Shame on you, UHC!

As a retired Navy with Tricare (administered through United Healthcare) I also have insurance through ALLSAVERS (Another United Healthcare administered policy) Below is a statement which I sent to The office of Senator John McCain of Arizona United Healthcare sent me and the senator a response which they state justifies their reasoning for refusing payment. It seems to me that they should be finding ways to address their members health rather than putting so much energy into finding ways to deny claims. UHC is starting to make the VA look good.
Before reading this letter and deciding I am just bucking the system, Be advised that I have followed the directions provided to me, and have made many, many inquiries for directions with little to no success. With this in mind please continue to read.
I am Looking to anyone who can provide me direction and relief with the issues I have experienced getting my family and myself consistent and adequate health care coverage through Tricare since United healthcare assumed the administration of military healthcare benefits.
There has been much attention given to the gaps in treatment for Veterans through the VA. The administration of Tricare health coverage has become a nightmare in comparison. Tricare Providers are dropping out due to extreme billing issues; it takes months to get appointments for Specialty Care for myself as well as my family. When we do get appointments, on almost every occasion I have had to make multiple calls to get billing issues corrected.

Let me provide you some details on the issues I have had.
1. In Late November of 2014 I sought inpatient treatment for PTSD/Depression which was the result of the loss of my entire family (father, older brother, younger brother and mother) all to separate accidents while I was deployed. In setting this up I went to Luke Air Force Base and consulted with referral services. I was told that the service was covered and tricare would follow the rules of the Primary insurance. Based on that I scheduled myself to be checked in on January 3rd. After my treatment I filed a claim with UHC.mil otherwise referred to as Tricare. My Claim was rejected 4 times for additional information which I provided each time. The claim for $4000 was ultimately denied because the provider had opted out as a Tricare provider on January 1st due to problems getting paid through Tricare. This Opt Out occurred 3 day prior to my admission however had not been updated due to the holiday. I was being denied reimbursement over a 3 day difference filed several appeals with no results.
Tricare has closed all of its local offices to the end that there is no ability to find face to face assistance with issues. Each time you make a call you connect to a different agent who only knows what they can see on their screen.
After almost 18 months of resubmissions and appeals I made several visits (3) to Luke Air Force Base and spoke with the Patient advocate. I was excited on my first visit that I might finally make some progress. Unfortunately I never received the follow up calls or emails I was promised. This was true for each of my subsequent calls.
Do you get the feeling nobody cares? that is how my family and I feel.

2. January 28th 2016 I was laid off and thus lost my primary insurance. This only lasted 4 months, however UHC.Mil immediately reverted my families Primary Care Physician to Luke Air Force Base. They never notified us or our primary care doctors. This resulted in all of my family’s specialty care appointments to be cancelled. Tricare insisted that we had to get new referrals however they still neglected to notify us of our PCM Change. This resulted in continued rejection for care. 4 months later when I Found out they transferred our PCMs to 56th Medical Group at Luke AFB I informed Tricare that we had already been granted waivers to seek PCMs outside to the 56th Medical group due to their inability to provide consistent care. Here is an important key. When UHC took over Tricare from Triwest, the transfer no records of historical information. They made us go through the whole process over again.
Just as an example my wife and I suffer from sleep apnea, and to get our masks and tubes replenished they required us to get a referral from our PCM to a Pulmonologist for him to refer us to a sleep study, although we have used CPAPs for 10 years. It took us from November 2015 until October of 2016 to get this process resolved.
I have been anti depressants for several years for what they refer to as PTSD related depression. I have had to change physiatrist 3 times as they decided to drop tricare because of difficulties in dealing with UHC.MIL.
3. Just this morning my 22 year old daughter who remains a full time college student was turned away from her Dental Appointment. I was informed that although I had updated DEERs as required, DEERs neglected to update Delta Dental.
I have made 3 trips to LUKE AFB to seek guidance from the 56th Medical Group Patient Advocate and did not receive one follow up email or phone call as promised.
A recent UHC.MIL news letter said it is the patient’s responsibility to confirm the provider is still an authorized provider the day of the appointment. That means that an appointment which it took me 2-3 months to get could be cancelled because they have chosen not to tolerate UHCs handling of tricare.
I hope than you can appreciate that each time I have to file another appeal, make a phone call, and make a trip to the doctor’s office to be turned away it is time off of work, missed school and repeated delays in getting care.
As a Proud 21 year Veteran of The finest Navy in the World I expect nothing less than what was granted me when I transitioned to the Fleet Reserve. However what I have found is rules changing without notice and a determined reluctance for Tricare to assist me in correcting any of the past issues and rejected payments of the last 2 years. This is all while UNITED Healthcare reported it highest profits in years.
Whether in the VA system or a Veteran with Tricare we all deserve to get the care that those who served as well as their families were promised, and our government is paying for.

I got a call today from the EMS service that responded to a 911 call on Oct 7 2011. The night my husband went into cardiac arrest and subsequently died. They originally sent me the entire bill and I informed them that we had perfectly good coverage and to send the bill to United health care. That was in Nov 2011. Today was 6 months later and I got a call asking me to pay a remaining balance of $1700. They couldn't tell me the reason that United had denied the rest of the claim, so I called United and told them it was a 911 call that evening. They told me that the EMS responder was an out of network one. I'm sorry..but in an emergency situation, I wouldn't think to ask the 911 operator if they are an in network ambulance! Who ever heard of such a thing! I don't know who they are going to send out..how can I possibly know? I'm giving my husband CPR and trying to keep him alive..but I'm supposed to find out if they are in network? I've never heard of anything more ridiculous and insensitive in my life. I will be filing an appeal with United.

The only complaint I have with United Health Care is their method of dealing with out of plan doctors. Our Doctor’s office called into United Health Care to get the authorization to do surgery on my wife. They were given the ok and the amount we would be responsible for. When the bills were submitted by the doctor’s office they were paid at the normal and customary rates for out of plan. They knew that the doctor was out of plan and neglected to tell him about the out of plan service called “Gap Exception” which would have covered most of the bill except for the $30 office visit. So we are told that the total amount we owe is over $2, 500. Sounds like Kaiser who in the past stuck me for $6000 +. I plan to file a complaint with the State Insurance Commission and with AT&T who my retirement plan is through.

My job switched to United August 1st and I have spent countless hours on the phone with them since then. One, I am seeing a Certified Nurse Midwife for my pregnancy and there are NO CNM's in-network. They said I should submit a gap exception request so I got my GP to try to send one in, only for her to be transferred so many times and put on hold for so long she finally called me and said, I don't have time for this - I have patients! I called to try to get the info and was transferred over and over again between different departments and several times back to general "member services" before I found someone who could give me a fax number. I'm assuming at this point the request will be denied. Additionally, I have asthma - and when I went to pick up my 2x/day asthma prescription on monday (that my asthma specialist prescribed!) I was told united will only cover it once a day, and I have to appeal that decision in writing and have my doctor send a statement of medical necessity. I thought that's what a prescription was?! And how does an insurance company get to decide what's an appropriate dosage for me, over the advice of a pulmonary specialist?! Their advice to me until the appeal is resolved is to just pay out of pocket, and this med is $80 for a 15 day supply for me. I can't afford that. I tried to call and ask if there was any kind of emergency interim exemption I could get until the appeal is done (which I am guessing will take forever, based on my other experiences with them) so I can continue to take my medicine as prescribed, seeing as how I am pregnant and an asthma attack right now could severely impact both me and the baby, and I was told that I do have emergency coverage under my plan so if that happens I should just go to the ER. Isn't it nice to know I have emergency coverage if I have an asthma attack and my baby dies, I can just go to the ER! Such a great company. I can't believe they are willing to accept the liability that comes along with telling customers things like that, or that they are willing to put a mother's/baby's life at risk over paying for a drug once a day instead of twice. NO ONE that I talked to had a phone number for the appeals department either, only a mailing address. Convenient.

1) They gave me three supposed in network providers for my child's therapy. None of them were the right specialty. Then they told me there was another one that would have been a one plus hour drive each way in traffic for weekly therapy. I told them that the provider was not within 30 mile radius as evidenced by google maps, which showed a distance of 25 miles. They told me in their system it was within 30 miles since they do it by zip codes, whatever that means. For that reason, they denied my network gap exception and I have to pay out of network copays.
2) For about 30% of claims I submit, they falsely deny them. Today I got one back with a cryptic message saying I should submit information about the claim, even though that information they asked for was already submitted and in the same explanation of benefits where they said the information was missing. When I called them, they said it should not have been denied and they have systems issues preventing them from resolving claims properly.

UHC is ridiculous. Does not stand for United HealthCare... more likely Unbelievable Hypocritical CRAP!

I am a Breast Cancer survivor and had one type of reconstruction that did not work because of 3rd degree burns from radiation. I am in constant pain, for multiple reasons and there is easily discernible visual deformity... I contacted UHC to locate a DIEP surgeon (this is the only real option if basic expander to implant surgery doesn't work) - someone from their nurse line called me back saying they did not have a specialist after they contacted 15 in-network providers.

Then they told me to file for a Gap Exception for consult - which I did. I located Dr's who do this procedure and gave them all the information as I was instructed to do. They denied the exception for different reasons (let's revisit - same procedure - same need - just different doctors) 1 was denied because they tried to call me 3 times in one day and I did not get back to them that day... (BTW I had told them I would be out of town - and they advised me to call and check the status in 4-5 days) and then one was declined because they said they have in network Dr.'s.. The first name they tried to give me was the doctor that did my original FAILED surgery - so I quickly explained they were wrong he did not do the necessary procedure.. they then sent me a letter with 3 names so I contacted the Dr's they gave me and the staff at each office stated they do not do that type of surgery.
So I sent a letter detailing this to UHC and expressing my concern that whoever is making the decision does not understand the procedure and that not all breast reconstruction after cancer is successful especially when there is damage from radiation. I also sent along a Clinical Gap Exception request (which one of their reps told me is what I needed to do) from my Primary Care Physician.

Still they are ignoring me. I do not understand. I have done everything you have asked. Believe the [censor] out of me - I would just have assumed not GETTING Stage 3 Breast Cancer at 43 years of age and needing 2 rounds of Chemotherapy - a double mastectomy - 2 additional surgeries and then daily radiation that caused 3rd degree burns... But it happened. Now it is time for UHC to do what they are supposed to do - provide care.

Rgsouthflorida, I also had a terrible experience with Mega and would never recommend them to anyone. I can't believe I signed up with them, based on someone's recommendation. The sales rep will tell you anything at all to get you to sign. She told me I had the "Cadillac" of insurance plans. And then when I was hospitalized, they denied almost everything, about $30, 000 in claims. The only reason I got 80 percent of it paid was the original sales rep became an executive of the company (she was so good at convincing people like me to sign up) actually approved the claims. One of the best days was the day I wrote them to cancel, three years ago. What a nightmare this company is. My advice is to avoid them like the plague. Hope you're feeling better Rgsouthflorida.

Avoid: MEGA

I agree with Rgsouthflorida. All Student Health Insurance Programs are useless and a waste of money. It would be better if uninsured than to have a health insurance program that will not cover you in a time of an emergency and is a hassle to deal with when something goes wrong.

Major health insurance companies (like Blue Cross and Humana One) needs to offer affordable insurance that cost no more than $600 a year with no deductibles. College students cannot afford health insurance because after they pay for tuition, books, student fees and personal expenses such as food and gasoline, students cannot afford a health insurance plan from a major insurance plan and the only option available is from a no name insurance company that no health clinic or medical center takes.

I believe hospitals and clinics need to accept student insurance no matter who it’s from. After all, students cannot afford major company insurance and getting co-pay from their parents can cost over $800 a month. What Rgsouthflorida went through no student should have to go through with their student insurance program because students face enough problems as a student and dealing with medical problems is not an issues students want to face.

I hate this company. I have had so many problems which amount to the fact that they stall, stall, stall. They just don't want to pay. I call every week and one person or another has done nothing to resolve my issues. Honestly, a great many of their representatives are just clueless and give ridiculous answers...idiots. I am not surprised by your situation. What a cheap, fraudulent company! Paying the doctor $85 and suggesting that it is reasonable, is a perfect example of fraud. How do they get away with this?! I think they train their reps to use these tactics.

I totally am in the same boat--we were out of town on a camping trip when my daughter came down with acute appendicitis. They have now denied it three times because we were "out of network, " even though the SPD says we are covered if it's an emergency. I have caught UHC in so many lies and deceptive business practices, it boggles my mind. Unfortunately, it looks like I will have to go to court to settle this. You are lucky your bills were under $10K, my daughters were $20K. I really hope you were able to get them to pay, eventually.

Oh yeah! This is typical United Healthcare. The only thing they want to do is collect your premiuyms: They could care less about your HEALTH! I now have bad marks on my credit score because of these people.

They are truly RIP-OFF artists.

I was sold a bill of goods when I signed up for United . I'm on their member sight found a chiropractor at first I did not know anything about referral for then I had my Dr refer me to this great chiropractor that was on their list. The list that was on my member site. I wrote and appeal letter and they still won't pay this is the short of it. United AARP are weasels absolutely no good come October I changing. So what they are saying is no matter who is on my member site that is in network I can't use them. What good is this BS company anyway if I can't use the doctors that are referred to me on my member list.

I have met my yearly deductable for medical coverage and I went into the doctors office to have some of the packing from the procedure removed. The Doctors office didn't charge for a visit because they view the procedure as part of the surjury. The Insurance company requires I pay for a doctors visit since the procedure was done in his office. This seems to be an abuse of the of insurance company. They should be required for paying for the whole procedure once my deductable has been met.

I signed up with UnitedHealthCare in June, 2013 and to this date, which is August 23rd, I still do not have a medicare card from them. I have called, called and called them. Finally, I just wen to another company for my medicare. Now I'm being told that I need a letter from UnitedHealthCare stating that I want to be disenrolled in their plan. They refuse to send one! Now I am at a loss. Please do not sign up with this horrible company!

Please see attachment...

Please see attached letter

2nd Request!

united health care customer service dept is in india. I work for a billing company and when I call to follow up on outstanding bills I reach Alice, Kate or Rocky in India. This is a disgrace and this is what is wrong with our country. In the United States unemploloyment is at its highest. The people of the US are what keep the insurance companies in business paying high insurance preiums and they farm the jobs to other countries so the CEO's can earn hundreds of thousands of dollars. When will the people of this country do something. Write to congress, write to the president, make a stand.

UHC will not insure you if you have pre existing conditions

https://www.gofundme.com/fighting-the-bulies-at-uhc?sharetype=teams&member=87882&rcid=r01-152407620391-f82b32f22b814606&pc=ot_co_campmgmt_w

My Medicare Advantage Insurance is supposed to provide vision coverage. I attended a meeting at the clinic (Sansum) around which the plan was organized. I was told that Sansum Clinic was the ONLY provider of vision coverage for the plan. When /i went to Sansum for a vision checkup, I was told after the visit that they would not accept my insurance and billed me for the entire amount. United Health Care told me "Tough luck, you aren't covered"

UHC changed my plan. When I went to get my Rx was told it wasn't on the plan now. Had to have doctor file an appeal., Which I did. Although talking to insurance companies is not the doctors job. He wrote the Rx that is what I should get. It shouldn't be the insurance companies decision to decide what medication a patient needs. I am so annoyed and frustrated. with United Health Care. I don't know what they expect a patient to do while they are deciding if I need the medication,

United Healthcare is denying my visit to an orthopedic for a shoulder injury.

- I had insurance with Blue Cross until Nov-2008.
- I took a new job and started coverage with United in Nov-2008.
- I injured my shoulder in Feb-2009 and visited the doctor in Mar-2009.
- I was told United denied my claim because it was a pre-existing condition.
- The doctor's office told me they did not tell the United that it was a pre-existing condition. It appears that United marked it as a pre-existing condition because of the type of injury it was - Rotator cuff.
- I supplied proof of my previous coverage to United.
- They have since sent my doctor a letter saying they are denying my coverage.

Any advice on my next steps would be appreciated. The bill is only a few hundred dollars but I want to fight this on principal.

I have been having headaches and neck and back pain and right arm numbness constantly for the past three months. I live in Oklahoma and have Choice Plus Network. I was referred to the neurologist by my PCP who had me do an MRI without contrast. The MRI showed I have either a Nerve Sheath Tumor or a Perineural Cyst on the nerve in my spinal cord in my neck and some bone marrow changes on my spine. It recommends follow up with and MRI with contrast, but insurance has denied it. My doctor appealed and it was denied again. I called and they said they never got any information. I called my doctor's office and she gave me the dates she sent the reports and who she talked to and the reference number. I called UHC back and after a long time on hold they finally told me it was denied because it didn't show I had been on pain medicine for at least 6 weeks and/or physical therapy, weakness or loss of function or plans for surgery. I have been taking over the counter pain medicine and most days I am having to lay down. The neurologist said there was a possibility it could be malignant. Now I am waiting to consult with a neurosurgeon who will then try to request the MRI again! I have two young children and take very good care of myself and my family and don't want to wait until it is worse!

My Father is in a skilled nursing home with a terminal disease. He has coverage under UHC through his pension plan which is suppose to cover this. He also has extended coverage with them. They have refused to pay! Each month it is a different excuse of additional paperwork they require. We have been paying out of pocket for the past 6 months. What can we do about this?

I was actually told I had to travel 125 miles to have an MRI for lower back--it was in the winter and over the mountain pass. After they sent me fro Bend to Eugene when the billing came in they tried to deny it. They will do anything possible to deny a claim so they don't have to pay for 4 to 6 months. They have never paid my chiropractor even as an out of network and they claim I have Medicare coverage which I only have hospital part A and they treat the doctors and clinics under the same guidelines.

1. You can appeal the decision. Everyone has a right to appeal. Get your doctor to write a letter to include in your appeal.

2. Visit this website to get info on how to write an effective appeal letter: http://www.advocacyforpatients.org

3. If you need help going to bat with your insurance company contact the people at that website - and they should help you free of charge.

4. Contact your state's insurance regulatory agency, which should be listed in your phone books' blue pages. Your doctor's office should know how to get in touch with them. Send them all the info you included in the appeal.

5. Contact your local Better Business Bureau office by letter explaining this situation. Include your appeal letter.

6. Contact your state's attorney general's office. Send them the appeal letter.

7. Important... because health care insurance reform is a hot federal issue right now, you should contact your federal representatives (senators/congressmen) and tell them about this. They are working on federal legislation right now, and hearing from people who've been screwed and defrauded by insurance companies who cheat people by denying claims for nebulous reasons will help them to better understand what we have to go through at the mercy of these greedy insurance companies.

This is fairly common... Insurance companies will use any lies or weak arguments to get out of paying claims. They'll lie and say a provider is no longer in their network... They'll say that something was pre-existing when it wasn't... They'll say a treatment, visit or procedure was not pre-authorized, when they didn't tell the provider of any such requirement when they called to verify coverage - or if pre-authorization was obtained, the insurer will lie and say it wasn't... and there is no limit to the other lies and inconsistencies they'll grasp for in an effort to screw policyholders over.

Please fight this. It may just be a few hundred dollars to you, but they're getting away with doing this to millions of people. If just 50% of policyholders give up and move on without taking action, just think of the money they're making, hand over fist, through BAD FAITH PRACTICES. This is ill-gotten gain; fraud.

Please pursue this with the agencies that I listed above and be sure to keep a copy of any correspondence you send, keep a copy of anything you receive - and document the dates/times of all phone conversations - along with the employee name. If you can, record the conversations. You'd be surprised how handy this can be! They'll tell you one thing during one call, and then tell you something totally different the next conversation! They'll lie and say that a certain conversation never took place.

It's a shame that we have to push for our rights, but the fact is - we do. They profit from people just giving up and not pursuing their right to appeal. You can continue appealing indefinitely; just keep copies of everything you send and don't rely on just phone conversations. Also, send everything either by U.S. Certified Mail Return Receipt or overnight mail so you'll have a signature confirmation of delivery.

Fight it! Don't give up!

principle!

You should call the Customer Service and ask for a copy of the Evidence of Benefits (EOB) for each of these claims. It will explain what the billed amount was, what the insurance company paid, and what you're responsible for.

They have dragged out approval of a drug I am on for weeks and weeks, only to FINALLY approve it, after over a month late. My new insurance company pre-approved the same drug such that all I have to do is answer the phone when the pharmacy is preparing to send it out. A WORLD of difference. Stay far away from United Healthcare!

10/23/2008

Even though they deny claims and make claims a paperwork nightmare for physicians, they turn around and WASTE $55 million on quarterly statements.

Recently implemented, United so-called Healthcare sends out a quarterly statement identifying health benefit plan activity. With about 20, 000, 000 subscribers, 4 times a year, and let say the minimum postage was the same as mine (34.6¢) the postage cost alone is $27, 680, 000. The paper, the envelope and the processing have to cost about the same. We’re looking at $55 Million wasted—not to mention the trees—for something of little value which could be sent over the internet IF the individual wanted it. THIS DOES NOT LOWER HEALTHCARE COSTS. Reminds me of their former CEO’s $124, 800, 000 one-year salary and $1.6 BILLION in stock options over 8 yrs.

To add to the waste on these statements, even if the subscriber is the only member, they list the member every time. For any Type if Service that’s Pharmacy the Provider is always “suppressed for member’s privacy.” The amount of unused space is amazing, the statements could be reorganized to take up much less paper. I complained and ask to opt out and the rep said I couldn’t. I asked to speak to a supervisor. The rep said that her supervisor would tell me the same thing. The supervisor said they were wrong—that I could opt out. He took care of it.

I’m sick of having to opt out of everything. UHC — do it right. Get rid of the waste and ask people if they want to opt in and if they want it electronically. And not where you have to sign in and verify who you are. Send it directly to the subscriber’s e-mail address as a PDF. If you cared about costs, you could send me a postcard ONE TIME offering me options and whether I even want the statement (which I don’t).

I was told by my rep to direct my complaints to UHC at 9900 Brenstreet Rd, Minnetonka, MN 55343. From what I have been able to ascertain the correct address to UHC would be 9900 Bren Rd E Ste 300W, Hopkins MN 55343, phone [protected].

I directed my letter after I initially posted this to Midwest CEO Kathryn Sullivan at UHC at that address. We’ll see what happens.

You want to call Ms. Sullivan, too? Call the same number and ask for Veronica Sanders, her assistant.

If you have coverage thru your employer, it is YOUR employer that chooses YOUR benefits, NOT UHC.

UHC is absolutely the worst "insurance" company I have ever dealt with!

They refuse to pay anything - they apply everything to a never-ending deductible and then they start pegging everything as a pre-existing claim.

They send out form after form, yet never seem to process the forms - they accuse doctors of lying and always say that the whole issue will be resolved in "24-48 hours."

They steal your payroll deductions and, in the end, you pay for everything 100% out of pocket!

Supposedly, someone is supposed to be monitoring them until 2010 because of issues such as these for the past FOUR years - where is the monitoring?

You are better off having NO insurance than paying UHC for pretend insurance!

They are AWFUL!

I have five more months before I can switch carriers - five months too long and thousands of dollars later I hope to be away from this nonsense!

Medco is "operated" by United Healthcare which also operates Prescription Solutions. United pipelines business to Medco while receiving a fee for services. The "operational separation" provides United immunity from decisions that Medco makes. Medco was owned by Merck until spun off as a close but independent IPO (Wells Fargo managed the transistion) where both companies could grow and prosper via their own strategies. It was either that or the kitchen was gonna burn down for all the greed and oil.

@elbanano J D Powers research now shows UHC with low satisfaction
http://www.jdpower.com/healthcare/ratings/member-health-plan-ratings/ohio/sortcolumn-/page-/#page-anchor

I do not know about being in cahoots but I am absolutely pissed. I have had United Healthcare for the last several years. I currently have united healthcare through resources at my wife's company (this started 1/3/11). The previous policy overlapped 2 months. I have been on several medication for quite sometime. One medication is androgel. Now I am out and waiting till they decide to preauthorize the medication.

Why am I so irritated about this?
1) I am tired of seeing and hearing about red tape, government intervention into medicine (Canadian government ordering infant off life support as an example), and non medical or at least non practicing company teams/units who second guess certified medical professional's lawfully written prescriptions, delay the lawful dispensing of medicine, and often 'cause' a longer duration of afflictions and their effects.

2) Aspects of low serum testosterone levels which I get to play around with
Behavioral: Decreased assertiveness/increased submissiveness; Decreased stress tolerance; Irritability; Depression or lowered mood; Anxiety;
Metabolic: Mild anemia; Headaches; Reduced muscle volume and strength; Reduced general vigor and hardiness

Medco Is not Owned by UHC or UHG...UHG Has their own PBM and its Prescription Solutions try them they are ranked # 1 highest in costumer satisfaction By J.D Power and Associates 3 years in a row

I just got off the phone after spending nearly 5 hours on the phone with these Medco clowns, they are the absolute most inept pharmacy in America. The problem is, nobody in their organization has clue that they are talking about, they constantly give you the wrong answer and when I ask to talk to a supervisor, they get upset and say they will tell me the same thing. Well I talk to a supervisor and I get an answer that is 180 degrees than what the subordinate told me. There folks can't read the computer screens, they are constantly looking and giving different answers. I don't think this is the intentional, but more so poorly managed from the top down. If anyone has a problem with these folks, please go straight to yoru State's Department of Insurance and file a complaint. Many states have this online, they do here in California and it took me about 10 minutes at the most to complete and submit the form. This is this will have impact on this lazy executive who not only do a disservice to United Healthcare clients, but they are flippinig of their own stockholders as well.

Medco makes it 's own rules I send in a script for previcid and they send me some BS generic type that don't work for me and they knew this from the past, then tell me it's my problem to fix. What a joke the whole medical and Ins bussiness. PS not picking on the Doctors or Nurses there the only ones that care about people.

Medco and United are in cohorts together? Considering UHC owns Medco, I would assume so. Stop being a little baby.

United healthcare delays aprovals for Cashless hospitalisation, and force the employee (policy holder) to make the payment. This payment will be 3 times the actual payment on hospital expenses. Once paid, they suddenly come up with an aproval with much lower amount than estimated by the physician.

Anil, Chennai
anilarkay@gmail.com

United healthcare service is the worst ever service you can get. Totally wrong kind of people in Health care.

I absolutely hate united Healthcare, they're very rude and disrespectful, to many foreign people working for them, this company is very misleading, I can't wait to drop them, I wouldn't recommend a stray cat to them.

the over the counter reps is not worth a damm

Hello...could you please give me anwers as to why i have a bill of over 20 thousand dollars and seperate bills for lab work and doctors bills...this is supposed to be affordable insurance,,,i need answers please,,,i work partime and this is ridiculous ...i feel i have to get an lawyer that i cant afford...Andrea Enni...[protected]

As a provider, i believe that no one in india should be handling medical issues. These people can barely speak english, let alone are competent enough to even understand simple medical terms. They are complete idiots, and sound like they are talking from a tin can. It is absolutely infuritating as a provider to speak w these idiots.

UHC Medicare Advantage is the worst insurance on the face of the earth. If I have to get it when I get Medicare, I would rather die. They denied my husband's PET scan, and he has LBD, I am taking him to the hospital and leaving him until they can help him get better. I hate this insurance and will NEVER get it. I'm not giving you more information.

United Health are Duel Complete claims there is NO copays for prescription drugs, whether they are name brand or generic.

They charge me a 2+ dollar copay for my prescription for Ipratropium Bromide.

This is:

False Advertisement

Financially exploiting an elder person with disabilities.

I closed my bank account and my payments were not able to be paid. Three months later June 1, I get a call from United saying I owe 300.00. I paid the three hundred dollars, on the same call, and they cancelled me because I was one day to late. This is not wright because they will not write me new coverage until October.

Customer service representative, named grace, said her id h2520, did not have the skills to address this issue and when I pointed that out became hostile claimed I was angry, and hung up. She needs to understand her limted training and knowledge and get more knowledgable people on the phone and not continuously blather from her modest knowledge.

I can't understand the call center representatives. Accents is too strong.

I am on COBRA effective 2/01/19. Every month, UHC terminates my coverage retroactive to 1/31/19 despite the fact that my premiums are paid thru 5/31/19. My third party administrator has correctly submitted the info to UHC. It will now take 24-48 hours for UHC to correct once again. Unacceptable incompetence.HELP
Mary Lou Johnston ID #[protected]