Cascadia's Response to UHC Tragedy

After receiving multiple messages from concerned clients, I feel the need to address the tragic events which occurred last week. Normally you will not hear from us regarding current events. Our aim is to provide you with markets for all of your insurance needs while providing exceptional service in that pursuit. Living out our agency motto, “walking with you through life,” requires not only wisdom, experience and access to preferred markets, but the soft touch of listening to concerns and responding with reassurance. Insurance offers not only financial protection, but emotional peace of mind as well.

Like many, we were shocked by the tragic assassination of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO. However, we are equally shocked by the apparent empathy towards the shooter and some, in disturbing cases, even applauding this criminal act. This nation was founded on the rule of law. Every person, regardless of status, poverty, wealth, or beliefs, deserves the full protection of the law. Vigilantism, on the other hand, puts the power of judge, jury and executioner in the hands of one person. It usurps the law and erodes the foundation of our society. If we become a nation that applauds atrocities such as this, we might as well applaud every tyrannical dictator.

As it pertains to insurance…

Speculation abounds regarding the shooter’s motives. Words inscribed on the bullet casings may potentially imply that the shooter or his family were adversely affected by denied claims. It’s also possible these clues may be diversions in an effort to cover less altruistic reasons such as financial gain. But at this point, there may be implications revealing UnitedHealthcare’s business practices. Numerous stories of denied claims have been posted in response.

I recall nearly eighteen years ago, at the beginning of my insurance career, when billing specialists at a Snohomish County medical clinic told me they were dropping Secure Horizons (owned by UHC) from their list of accepted Medicare Advantage plans due to the billing denials and delays in payment. As an agent working for the now defunct competitor with a stellar billing reputation, Sterling Insurance, I was pleased to hear that. The seminars we held resulted in numerous new clients that ultimately helped launch my career.

Since that time, however, I have heard nothing similar. In fact, in an industry that strictly prohibits superlatives without third-party statistics, UHC can state that they have “Medicare Advantage’s largest national provider network” according to Zelis Network360, in May 2024. It is difficult to imagine a company contracting more doctors than any other company if they still had the same problematic claims and billing procedures that they apparently had in the past.

In recent years, many people feel some level of animosity toward health insurance companies making profits. Typically, these folks equate profits with sacrificing client care. I do not have sufficient information to speak to this. However, I can answer the following question without hesitation: “Which is better? A nonprofit which is not around to help you, or a for-profit which doubled the plans offered in your coverage area?” In our efforts to assist clients, it is the one that is available.

Over the years, Cascadia Insurance has been a strong advocate for Regence BlueShield, a local nonprofit health insurance company. Ultimately, however, the reason we championed them was due to their plan benefits and focus on customer service. We applaud any company that assists us in providing better care for our customers. Unfortunately, since Regence (as well as Premera and Humana) pulled numerous plans from counties in Washington and Oregon, who is left to serve our customers?

Now, this is not just a matter of UHC being here. Since becoming authorized to offer UHC plans over a decade ago, the only claim denials our agency has seen is with another carrier we contract with, an HMO that I will not name. Furthermore, the UnitedHealthcare plans many of our clients enrolled in are all overseen by the strict rules and regulations of Medicare. Each and every Medicare-approved procedure has diagnostic and/or procedural billing codes assigned to it. So long as the billing specialist at your clinic assigns the right codes when billing, the majority of claims are automatically processed. Yes, prior authorization possibilities exist with all Medicare Advantage plans. Again, I have yet to see any denials for our UHC clients.

Ultimately, at Cascadia Insurance, our priority is YOU, not any particular company. If a company offers you excellent benefits, a vast network and a good value when other companies are leaving, we are grateful for the opportunity to continue to offer you plan options. However, if their service changes or if your needs change, we are here “walking with you through life.”