The words about ammunition echo a common phrase about insurer tactics; what it means, explained

A message left at the scene of the fatal shooting of a health insurance executive — “deny,” “defend” and “take down” — echoes a term commonly used to describe insurers’ tactics to avoid paying claims.

They are similar to the phrase “delay, deny, defend” — the way some U.S. attorneys describe how insurers withhold services and payments, and the title of a 2010 book that was highly critical of the industry.

Police have not officially commented on the words or any connection between them and the common expression.

But Thompson’s shooting and messages on the ammunition sparked outrage on social media and elsewhere, reflecting Americans’ growing frustration with the cost and complexity of getting care.

What does the term mean?

“Delay, deny, defend” has become something of a rallying cry for insurance critics.

The terms apply to insurers delaying claims payments, denying claims and defending their actions.

The term is used to describe many types of insurers — auto, property and health.

“The longer they can delay and deny the claim, the longer they can keep their money and not pay it out,” said Lea Keller, managing partner at Lewis and Keller, a North Carolina-based personal injury law firm. .

“Delay, Deny, Defend” is also the title of a 2010 book by Jay Feinman that examines how insurers handle claims.

“All insurance companies have an incentive to fleece their customers to maximize profits,” says an excerpt on the book’s website.

How does the term apply to UnitedHealthcare?

UnitedHealthcare provides coverage to more than 49 million Americans and brought in more than $281 billion in revenue last year as one of the nation’s largest health insurers.

UnitedHealthcare and its competitors have become frequent targets of criticism from doctors, patients and lawmakers in recent years for denying claims or complicating access to care.

Critics say insurers are increasingly meddling even in routine care, causing delays that can, in some cases, hurt a patient’s chances of recovery or even survival.

What are the criticisms of insurers?

Doctors and patients have become particularly frustrated with prior authorizations, which are requirements that an insurer approve surgery or care before it takes place.

UnitedHealthcare was named in an October report that detailed how the insurer’s pre-authorization denial rate for some Medicare Advantage patients had risen in recent years.

The US Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations report also listed competitors Humana and CVS.

Insurers say tactics like prior authorization are needed to limit unnecessary procedures and prevent overuse of care to control costs.

Frustrations extend beyond care coverage.

Expensive breakthrough drugs to slow Alzheimer’s or help obesity are often not covered or have coverage limits.

“Many Americans see these companies as being driven by profit rather than an obligation to serve their customers,” said Mario Macis, a Johns Hopkins economist who studies trust in the health care system.

“And this creates a huge disconnect.”

What were the reactions on social networks?

Anger and resentment against health insurers filled social media after Thompson’s murder. Reactions from users — and in many cases jokes — filled comment sections teeming with frustration with health insurers in general and UnitedHealthcare in particular.

“I’d be happy to help look for the shooter, but vision isn’t covered by my health plan,” read one comment on Instagram.

“Reflections and prior authorizations!” another user wrote.

What do Americans think of insurers?

In the US health care system, patients receive coverage through a combination of private insurers such as UnitedHealthcare and government-funded programs such as Medicaid and Medicare.

This can be especially frustrating for doctors and patients as coverage often varies from insurer to insurer.

Surveys reflect these frustrations with the health care system in general, and insurance companies in particular.

About two-thirds of Americans said health insurance companies deserve “a lot of the blame” for high health care costs, according to a February KFF poll.

A 2023 KFF survey of insured adults found that most give their health insurance an overall rating of “excellent” or “good” — but most also said they had problems using their insurance in the previous year.

These include denied requests, provider network issues, and pre-authorization issues. Almost half of insured adults with insurance problems said they could not solve them satisfactorily.