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  • Poll Results and Comments : UnitedHealth Under Fire, Money Laundering Networks and Metformin for Knee Osteoarthritis

Poll Results and Comments : UnitedHealth Under Fire, Money Laundering Networks and Metformin for Knee Osteoarthritis

Author

Anna Eisenberg
May 15, 2025

Anna's Daybreak News

Just facts, you think for yourself

In your opinion, is UnitedHealth’s claim of integrity in their Medicare Advantage program credible?>


  • 90% No, doubt exists given the allegations
  • 10% Yes, they should be trusted

EmailComments
spg1...The potential for this sort of thing happening in the current health care funding model is very broad. UHC just is the most devious putting claim avoidance over doing the right thing.
smit...The privatization of medicare has left our elderly vulnerable to corporate practices that maximize their profit, over providing prompt and efficacious care.
bret...They are cheaters
mbsb...This is exactly why Medicare should not have any part that is privatized. The goal of the program moves from quality care for seniors to profit maximization for corporations. Why is anyone surprised?
ambl...As a medical professional, my billing staff can tell you Medicare Advantage plans are an endless source of headaches. For-profit insurance companies should never have been allowed into the Medicare system except as secondaries.
pegg...Original Medicare Part A and B are government run and exceptional in that they are the ONLY Medicare plan that is non-profit. Once you had for-profit health care for Medicare patients -- you are open for corruption and fraud. As a Medicare (original) patient, I am so thankful that I never considered going to the for-profit health provider mess.
paxt...Assuming there is substance to the allegations, it is no surprise that there are plenty of opportunities to take advantage of such a complex system.
acpo...Fraudulent activity
shar...Any expensive drugs DR describes are rejected by. Them they just take my money
mdb3...We know they’re guilty.
jrwa...If you ask physician groups, healthcare providers and/or hospital systems, in most markets, they would agree that UHC is a monopoly and difficult to negotiate with.
wbil...They still owe me $ for overpayment of premiums. Dropped UHC for much better alternative that we can trust.
smne...Alli a system and it’s management should not be trusted.
farm...We have UHC health insurance and their repeated denial of prescriptions and wanting to insert their selves into ours and our doctors medical decisions has us infuriated and stressed. It shouldn’t be that hard given the premiums we pay. We are looking to do insurance another way. Since the ACA we have been limited to the companies for a small business in NE. And our premiums are higher than they ever were before the ACA.
jrv1...The affiliation with AARP has been an exportation of seniors all along. Follow the money
drsh...My late husband had a Medicare Advantage plan and when he needed cancer care that was only available at MD Anderson in Houston, they denied his coverage, insisting that he be treated here in the DFW area - where that treatment simply was not available. We had to switch him back to traditional Medicare, which further delayed his treatment and contributed to advancing his cancer, a shorter time to death, and decreased quality of life - for both of us. He died 2 years ago yesterday.
kath...And this is the company I am insured with. I will be following this.
rsyp...UNH was adept at down coding physicians for decades. Upcoding patient data to the Feds seems to be a possible extension of their business behaviors. A 50% market cap haircut speaks volumes.
ajos...MA plans benefit the company not the recipient. Very difficult to obtain necessary care if any procedure is requested .
john...As a medical professional I have had grave doubts fir years about United’s practices. They are slow to approve needed services and do not EVER put the patient first. In order of priority, it is 1) United CEO 2) United stockholders 3) Practitioners 4) patients
dimj...I worked for Medicare, for gov't. We audited these health plans. It is important that they be routinely audited and that CMS has the staff to do this. Rick Scott's company (HCA) cheated Medicare by billions of dollars. They uploaded their claims fraudulently, thus, increasing their reimbursement. HCA reached a significant settlement with the federal government in a Medicare fraud case, agreeing to pay over $1.7 billion in penalties.
tome...UHC administration is awful. Had a bad experience with them when they failed to cancel my Advantage coverage but took my premiums for supplemental. When I filed a claim they denied it claiming Advantage didn’t cover it.
dcdt...In the 18 months I’ve had UHC I have seen some very disturbing practices around claims payments. I will be eligible for Medicare this year and will not sign up for UHC supplemental insurance. Good riddance. Never again. They are so corrupt.
hdcr...Advantage plans are terrible
matt...I am a physician with a small practice, many of my patients have this Advantage plan through United Heath.....they are absolutely corrupt. We run into road blocks, denials, fake peer to peer requests, slow payments all the time.
cf77...Since when being under investigation makes you guilty? In this country everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty! United healthcare has been my insurance for years , their people are dedicated and professional! This article sounds like a witch hunt to me!
btaw...Where there is smoke, there may be fire, but give them a chance to share their activities. And if they violated law, don’t drop charges like recent DOJ is apt to do
sara...Their entire model is built on denying claims and bilking people. Surely this investigation will show similarly crooked capitalism-run-amok
drty...They deny most physician request for procedures on patients.
neil...Medicare Advantage is the thin edge of privatizing Medicare. United are synonymous of predatory capitalism. Ensure refusal if treatment to enhance profits to the detriment of it's customers.
danr...Saved our lives
jess...This is a ridiculous question. No health insurance company can be "trusted."
crna...My aunt had UH Advantage. She broke her ankle, had surgery, was put in a nursing home. She was non weight bearing for 10 weeks per her MD. UHC denied her phyical therapy stating "she had plateaued." She was still under orders from her MD for non weight bearing on her foot! They wanted her discharged from the facilty when she was still needing to be placed in a chair with a hoyer lift, and still unable to pivot to a potty chair.
jenn...Health insurance companies shouldn’t exist. They prevent people from getting timely care or care at all while taking money. Healthcare should be free for all.
coli...Trust but verify.
mdsw...United Medicare Advantage like all the others takes Medicare funds for their own profit motivated purposes. Corruption is almost always present when such vast funds are available.
raji...They are an organized fraud company and have been cheating the providers and their customers in addition to the government !
mnel...I work in the healthcare industry and the business practices by UHC are at a minimum highly questionable and and most likely very criminal and intentional.
paul...First, United is not a Health company. They are an insurance company who is known to be an aggressor in their execution of their unique tactics. Secondly, this is not the first time they have been acting fraudulently to meet and exceed their profit goals.
dave...I have had coverage by UHC for over 15 years and have found them to be excellent and of high integrity.
cica...Want to lower drug prices? Single payer like the rest of the world. Want more reasonable healthcare costs? Single payer like the rest of the world. Do you want to get to waste fraud and abuse out? Single pair, or just like the rest of the world. Grow up America.
curt...Crooks
penr...i have been a member of their plan for several years and have found no issues with it. this is a witch hunt.
phil...There are well known deceptive practices involving Medicare advantage plans. UHC is guilty of using these practices just as other commercial health plans are. All you have to do is follow the money. It’s not rocket science.
atli...Medicare patients in the US would be best served and money saved with the elimination of all private Medicare Advantage plans.
rumr..."Doubt exists" is way way too mild.
davi...United Healthcare is rotten, putting profits over principles
jkde...They’ve just found more ways to deny coverage and build their coffers.
nanc...I have huge doubts about the whole Medicare Advantage system. Why do we need a middleman? It’s just a way to add costs.
bill...Medicare Advantage plans do not seem to be good for the consumer.
siga...I work with them and they are not trustworthy. They squeeze and squeeze members and vendors.
jllm...The evidence doesn’t look good
mich...Insurance companies with Billions in profits is indicative of fraud. Insurance companies are supposed to cover costs and have a profit based on the number of subscribers. Billions in profits mean something is broken.
greg...Amazing newsletter.
jsco...The large plans are just Banks maximizing returns be restricting appropriate healthcare to seniors. Medicare Advantage is the best solution but administered through regional carriers. Healthcare is personal and local!!
djsa...They denied a claim that I’ve never in more than 20 years of insurance including them has ever been denied. They fumbled and won’t admit it. So I get stuck with the bill.
kare...No facts presented for you to accuse
dpot...Where there is smoke, there is usually fire. The investigation should be complete before any allegations of fraud are finalized.
pken...I would only clarify my answer to say that NO doubt exists there is wrong doing.
vker...We’ve seen this movie before with different plots…downgrade in STARS rating based on single phone call, 2 other DOJ investigations terminated. Maybe this is different - perhaps nurses identifying medical conditions to increase severity ratings. They would be crazy to jeopardize their integrity but we’ll soon know.
kcme...Yes. They take advantage of their patients
aper...All they care about is making money.
zack...The amount of fraud in our healthcare systems is astounding. The fight from the left to not do anything about it is very telling.
jcol...I work in healthcare, at a business level. I have been involved in specific cases, in which UHC attempts to deny claims, where there is absolutely no basis. In one case, I have reason to believe that they manipulated data, to back up their denial. One could fein ignorance on their part. In my opinion, it was a blatant "middle finger" regarding the facts.

Should the focus of drug enforcement shift from users to financial networks like money laundering?


  • 89% Yes, tackling finances is crucial
  • 11% No, user support and rehabilitation should remain a priority

EmailComments
perm...Drug trafficking will only be halted when it stops being profitable. So, you remove BOTH the demand and the profitability, which means addressing drug usage and money laundering capabilities.
pegg...corruption is rampant in every sector with this new administration
cica...These choices are not mutually exclusive. Drug enforcement should involve both as well as other avenues.( prosecuting traffickers and dealers. Prosecuting the businesses that support them knowingly.) but it has to focus on the addict as well with support and rehab services
jllm...Why do the rich always get a free pass?
rmac...It hasn’t worked the other way!
lesl...I don't think you must decide between the two, you can recognize and support both.
nanc...Isn’t that what crypto is all about?
soca...If you can’t get the drugs on the streets as easily, that could help. Those helping get drugs to our kids are making money killing our kids. Something needs to change.
just...Shifting the focus of drug enforcement from users and rehabilitation to financial crimes like money laundering might feel strategic, but it fundamentally misses the point. Addiction is a disease, not a financial ledger entry—and no amount of forensic accounting will treat the mother who’s overdosing in her bathroom or the teenager shooting up in his high school parking lot. Yes, the recidivism rate in addiction is high, but that only proves what any recovered addict already knows: the only way out is through, and treatment—not punishment—is the only path that gives people a fighting chance. Targeting money launderers might look good on paper, but it does nothing for the families being torn apart in real time. Cut off one supply, and the demand will claw out another. If we’re serious about healing this epidemic, we must prioritize recovery—not just revenue streams. Sincerely, —A recovered drug addict & alcoholic, sober 9 years on 6/6/2025
chri...Both need to be done. As long as there is demand, traffickers will always make money.
btaw...Yes and No is correct answer here. Do ALL these things.

Are you in favor of easing the supplementary leverage ratio for major banks?


  • 81% No, it compromises financial stability
  • 19% Yes, it will foster increased lending

EmailComments
btaw...Banks are too easily bailed out by Govt as too big/too critical to fail. Higher leverage ratios helps manage the risk of the banks to avoid govt intervention
mart...Been there and done that
mary...Have we already forgotten 2008?
patr...insanity= doing same thing over and over and expecting different result
cica...Yeah, the banks approved in 2005 to 2007 that they can’t be trusted. The temptation for creative is just too powerful.
chri...It may stimulate lending if the banks see good borrowers. It will also increase risk of financial instability.
fran...This is the opposite of what should be done. Debt and deficits continue to climb and derisking banks at the same time is throwing fuel on the fire. It won’t be long before the next 2008 and we will be less able to bailout when it happens.
sedu...Setting banks up for failure. They are too big to let them fail, so they will get bailed out with taxpayer money.
kitt...We went through this problem before. It almost brought the banking community down. The regulations are needed.
gkra...Prescription for disaster...
tere... We’ve experienced bank’s over-levering in 2004-08. The crash, the bailout, the gigantic increase in national debt followed. We expect AI will defeat lenders’ and borrowers’ greed, stupidity and incompetence this time. This time is different, right?
sara...Why go back when all this has been established over years, and the result of more lax regulation was DISASTROUS? This is so credulous and stupid!
lore...Those rates were set for a reason.
erwi...Lowering SLR provides short-term flexibility to banks, but also comes with potential long-term risks for the public. While it can help stabilize government bond markets and other financial issues in times of stress that the country is in due to tariff and other economic changes, in the long-run it creates financial instability across the system and lean to potential need for taxpayer-funded bailouts like we did in 2008-10. Can we really trust banks to do the right thing?
mbul...Banks “gamble” with client deposits, then taxpayers bail them out. We’ve seen this movie before.
mann...2007-2009!!!!!
jllm...They’ve already forgotten what a free reign from the financial institutions can do
nanc...Has everyone forgotten about the financial meltdown in 2008? Aren’t we supposed to learn from our mistakes?
nsig...There's a reason the SLR is where is today - security!
jame...2008
dave...Recall the melt down in 2008
kira...Given the administration has done nothing in the way of industrial policy to offset the massive self inflicted financial chaos they caused, increase lending might at least allow some smaller companies to survive ongoing tariff uncertainty.

How do you feel about the rise of AI in influencing purchasing decisions?


  • 82% Concerned
  • 18% Excited

EmailComments
ende...I believe it could create a better understanding of what the consumer wants (trending) and keep waste down .
jame...Spend less time shopping
ebr....It’s like these kids have never watched Terminator or Terminator 2. Skynet is dangerously close.
perm...AI is not the cure all some may think. It most definitely has its positive points, especially in research and development. However, replacing human judgement and decision making processes is not necessarily a positive step forward.
jllm...I feel like they are already using it. How could it get much worse?
cica...Spending can be addictive. And we know what the tech pros do with the algorithms you’ve seen how it’s destroyed the civility in our culture and politics.

Would you consider using metformin for knee pain if you were eligible?


  • 82% Absolutely, it sounds effective.
  • 18% No, I would prefer traditional treatments.

EmailComments
chri...I take it already.
jkjk...I have one knee that occasionally is painful. I am taking collagen which seems to help somewhat. I do NOT want knee surgery. (The recovery is too painful and I am a wimp.) Plus if it helps me drop ten pounds I’d be happy with that!
jame...Stem cells are the future here
meli...Weight loss is critical.
jllm...With age comes pain and anything that will help it. Subside will definitely be worth it.
tiny...Metformin is not a miracle drug. It can give you diarrhea and migraines.

Do you currently use tobacco products, including vaping?


  • 82% No
  • 11% Former user
  • 6% Yes

EmailComments
jame...Vaping should be regulated just like alcohol and cigarettes
tdol...There should be more strict regulations and fines on what chemicals cannot be used as inhalants, and/or ingested
jllm...Smoke you’re going to die before the rest of us and thinning the herd this way is a horrible way to go
exmx...I quit 20 years ago cold turkey.