Kaiser Health News

A ‘Payday Loan’ From a Health Care Behemoth

Published

2 years ago

June 6, 2023

by Dan Weissmann
Tue, 06 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Alex Shteynshlyuger, a urologist with a practice in New York City, feels surrounded by UnitedHealth Group. He has seen the company gobble up private practices and says it’s slow to pay claims. It also started offering cash-flow services that, Shteynshlyuger says, feel a lot like payday loans.

UnitedHealth Group is the largest employer of physicians in the United States. And it’s growing.

Has the company become too big?

In this episode of “An Arm and a Leg,” host Dan Weissmann looks into this “behemoth” company and the obstacles antitrust regulators face in keeping up with its rapid growth.

Dan Weissmann

@danweissmann

Host and producer of “An Arm and a Leg.” Previously, Dan was a staff reporter for Marketplace and Chicago’s WBEZ. His work also appears on All Things Considered, Marketplace, the BBC, 99 Percent Invisible, and Reveal, from the Center for Investigative Reporting.

Credits

Emily Pisacreta
Producer

Adam Raymonda
Audio Wizard

Afi Yellow-Duke
Editor

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Transcript: A ‘Payday Loan’ From a Health Care Behemoth

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“An Arm and a Leg” is a co-production of KFF Health News and Public Road Productions.

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By: Dan Weissmann
Title: A ‘Payday Loan’ From a Health Care Behemoth
Sourced From: kffhealthnews.org/news/podcast/a-payday-loan-from-a-health-care-behemoth/
Published Date: Tue, 06 Jun 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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3 days ago

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kffhealthnews.org – Judith Graham – 2024-12-24 07:00:00

SUMMARY: Bill Hall, a 71-year-old HIV survivor, has endured numerous health challenges, including depression, heart disease, and cancer since contracting the virus in 1986. His struggles are compounded by trauma from childhood, where he faced bullying and abuse in a government boarding school. LGBTQ+ seniors like Hall often face isolation, with many living alone and lacking social support. By 2030, the number of LGBTQ+ seniors is projected to double, increasing their vulnerability to health issues and mental struggles. Many have experienced profound loss from the AIDS crisis, leading to ongoing emotional challenges. Support services remain critical for this aging population.

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The post LGBTQ+ People Relive Old Traumas as They Age on Their Own appeared first on kffhealthnews.org

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The post Caseworkers Coax Homeless People out of Las Vegas’ Tunnels for Treatment appeared first on kffhealthnews.org

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In Settling Fraud Case, New York Medicare Advantage Insurer, CEO Will Pay up to $100M

Published

7 days ago

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Staff Editor

kffhealthnews.org – Fred Schulte, KFF Health News – 2024-12-20 16:31:00

SUMMARY: Independent Health Association of Buffalo and Betsy Gaffney, CEO of medical analytics firm DxID, have agreed to a settlement of up to $100 million to resolve Justice Department allegations of fraudulent Medicare billing for exaggerated or non-existent health conditions. Independent Health will pay up to $98 million, while Gaffney will contribute $2 million. Neither party admitted wrongdoing. The case was triggered by whistleblower Teresa Ross, highlighting issues of “upcoding” in Medicare Advantage plans. Ross, having faced repercussions for her allegations, will receive at least $8.2 million from the settlement. This case underscores the challenges of regulating billing practices in the Medicare system.

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The post In Settling Fraud Case, New York Medicare Advantage Insurer, CEO Will Pay up to $100M appeared first on kffhealthnews.org