Secret Files Exposed: UnitedHealthcare Pediatric Prior Authorization Denial Rate Skyrockets After Internal Profit Shift
An anonymous insider at a major health insurance oversight firm has leaked a confidential spreadsheet revealing that UnitedHealthcare quietly increased denials for pediatric prior authorization by over 40% in just one quarter. The data, marked 'EYES ONLY,' shows a new internal algorithm flagged treatments like speech therapy and pediatric MRI scans as 'non-essential' to hit quarterly profit targets. Parents have been receiving vague 'not medically necessary' letters, while the insurer's pediatric approval team was reportedly cut by 30% last month. One call center employee whispered off-record: 'We're told to read a script that blames the shortage of specialists, but the real reason is a ten-digit revenue projection.' This leak is now circulating among pediatricians who are scheduling emergency meetings with state attorneys general.