A lawsuit filed in November 2023 claimed UnitedHealthcare (UHC) employed artificial intelligence systems to deny coverage to elderly Medicare Advantage patients, setting the stage for growing scrutiny of the insurance giant's practices a year before this week's tragic shooting of CEO Brian Thompson.
The legal action, brought by families of two deceased patients who were denied nursing home coverage, alleged UHC knowingly used an AI algorithm with a 90 percent error rate to reject claims. The lawsuit named UnitedHealth Group, UnitedHealthcare, and NaviHealth as defendants.
This lawsuit resurfaced in public discourse following Wednesday's shooting of Thompson in midtown Manhattan, which police described as "brazen" and "targeted." While authorities continue investigating the incident with no arrests made and no clear motive established, the shooting sparked intense online debate about UHC's coverage practices.
The legal challenge remains active in court, with its claims yet unproven. It specifically focuses on Medicare Advantage plan members who were allegedly wrongfully denied coverage for nursing home stays based on AI-driven decisions.
The shooting has prompted varied reactions across social media and news outlets. While some critics pointed to the company's coverage denial history, others condemned such responses as inappropriate, emphasizing that acts of violence deserve universal condemnation regardless of corporate policies.
New York City police continue their investigation into the shooting as the healthcare industry grapples with questions about insurance coverage practices and the role of artificial intelligence in healthcare decisions.
The unfolding situation highlights ongoing debates about healthcare access, insurance coverage decisions, and the increasing role of technology in medical care administration.