Search
 

Did UnitedHealthcare put patient at risk? Surgeon's viral story ignites controversy

A surgeon who had to take an urgent call in the middle of a procedure to answer an insurance coverage question is facing legal repercussions after posting about her experience on social media.

By Alan Goforth | February 05, 2025 at 02:20 PM
MINNETONKA, MN/USA – MAY 29, 2016: UnitedHealthcare corporate headquarters exterior and sign. UnitedHealth Group Inc. is an American diversified managed health care company. Credit: wolterke/Adobe Stock;

A surgeon who had to take an urgent call in the middle of a procedure to answer an insurance coverage question is facing legal repercussions after posting about her experience on social media.

“There’s a post making its rounds across social media, showcasing a physician that had to leave an active surgery in order to take a call from an insurance company,” said Dr. Dana Corriel, founder of the website SoMeDocs. “The call, the doctor explains, was to get coverage for an overnight stay for the patient on the operating table, which the doctor says she was forced to take. The doctor exclaims her frustration at having to do this for a surgery that was already approved by the insurance company. Dr. Elisabeth Potter explains that she had to scrub out mid-surgery to call UnitedHealthcare, only to find that the person on the line didn’t even have access to the patient’s full medical information, despite the procedure already being preapproved.”

Complete your profile to continue reading and get FREE access to BenefitsPRO.com, part of your ALM digital membership.

Your access to unlimited BenefitsPRO.com content isn’t changing.
Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:

  • Critical BenefitsPRO.com information including cutting edge post-reform success strategies, access to educational webcasts and videos, resources from industry leaders, and informative Newsletters.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM, BenefitsPRO magazine and BenefitsPRO.com events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com

Already have an account?

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2025 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

BenefitsPRO

Join BenefitsPRO

Don’t miss crucial news and insights you need to navigate the shifting employee benefits industry. Join BenefitsPRO.com now!

  • Unlimited access to BenefitsPRO.com - your roadmap to thriving in a disrupted environment
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com
  • Exclusive discounts on BenefitsPRO.com and ALM events.

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join BenefitsPRO

Copyright © 2025 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.