UnitedHealth Faces Backlash Over Alleged ER Avoidance Strategy for Nursing Homes
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Contributed by: Kate Gamble
Summary
UnitedHealth is accused of directing nursing homes to avoid sending patients to the emergency room, aiming to cut down on hospitalizations and costs, even in urgent situations like suspected strokes. ER physician Graham Walker has criticized this approach, suggesting it compromises patient care by prioritizing financial savings over necessary medical interventions. He argues that effective management of complex patient cases should involve improved support for nursing homes and ER staff rather than delaying care. Walker highlights the importance of accurate diagnosis, noting that stroke symptoms can arise from various conditions, each requiring specific treatments that cannot be determined without proper medical testing.
