Insurance Provider Intercepts Surgeon During Patient Surgery, Sparking Healthcare Debate

Surgeon Shares Story of Insurance Provider Calling During Patient’s Surgery

A surgeon has shared a shocking story about an insurance provider interrupting her during a patient’s surgery to discuss payment. Dr. Lisa Potter, a breast reconstruction specialist at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, recounted the incident on Fox News.

Potter said that she was in the operating room performing a complex procedure when UnitedHealthcare called her, allegedly asking for information about a patient’s medical treatment. The surgeon emphasized that she does not think insurance companies are “evil,” but believes they have become more focused on making money than providing quality care.

“It’s just getting undoable. And this moment, this week, was like, we’ve crossed a line — they’re actually in the operating room,” Potter said, explaining her frustration with the situation.

The surgeon noted that many physicians are giving up and refusing to deal with insurance companies, opting to go out-of-network and having patients pay upfront before seeking reimbursement. “Patients and providers deserve better than this,” she emphasized.

In response to the incident, UnitedHealthcare released a statement, saying it did not ask Potter or any physician to step away from patient care to answer a call, and that such actions would create potential safety risks.

“Separately, our CEO stated that we are focused on making high-quality, affordable health care more available while making the health system easier to navigate for patients and providers,” said UnitedHealthcare Group’s CEO Andrew Witty in his company’s earnings report.

The incident has sparked a heated conversation about the role of the health insurance industry in the United States.

Source: www.foxnews.com