AHA Statement on UnitedHealthcare Announcement of Delay in Emergency Coverage Policy

Rick Pollack
President and CEO
American Hospital Association

June 10, 2021

Today’s announcement from UnitedHealthcare to delay its new policy on emergency coverage offers a temporary reprieve for patients, and we urge its full and permanent reversal. If enacted, this policy would have a chilling effect on patients seeking emergency services, with potentially dire consequences for their health. It is also part of an unfortunate pattern of commercial health insurers denying care for needed services. Patients should have the confidence to seek the emergency care they need without worrying about coverage being denied. There is no justification for these restrictions now or after the public health emergency.

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Contact:         Sean Barry, sbarry@aha.org
                       Marie Johnson, mjohnson@aha.org