Deny Defend Depose meaning : A chilling message left at the scene of a health insurance executive’s murder — “deny,” “defend,” and “depose” — mirrors a term often associated with insurance company strategies to avoid settling claims.
The words were inscribed on ammunition used by a masked assailant to fatally shoot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, according to two anonymous law enforcement officials who shared the details with The Associated Press. These terms closely resemble the phrase “delay, deny, defend,” commonly used by legal professionals to describe insurer practices. It’s also the title of a 2010 book that heavily criticized the insurance industry.
Authorities have not released an official statement regarding the wording or its possible link to the widely recognized phrase. However, the fatal shooting of Thompson and the messages inscribed on the ammunition have ignited public anger, particularly on social media. This reaction highlights growing frustration among Americans over the rising costs and challenges of accessing healthcare.
Deny Defend Depose meaning : What is the meaning behind the phrase?
The phrase “delay, deny, depose ” has become a rallying point for those critical of the insurance industry, highlighting a pattern where companies postpone payouts, reject claims outright, and justify these actions to minimize their financial responsibility.
This approach is often associated with various types of insurers, including those providing auto, property, and health coverage.
Lea Keller, a managing partner at the personal injury law firm Lewis and Keller in North Carolina, put it simply: “By dragging their feet or refusing claims, insurance companies get to hold onto their money longer instead of paying it to those who need it.”
The term also inspired the title of Jay Feinman’s 2010 book, Delay, Deny, Defend, which examines how insurers handle claims. An excerpt from the book sums it up bluntly: “Insurance companies are incentivized to cut corners with their customers in order to maximize profits.”
What connection does the phrase have to UnitedHealthcare?
UnitedHealthcare, a leading U.S. health insurer serving over 49 million people, generated over $281 billion in revenue last year. However, it has faced increasing scrutiny from lawmakers, healthcare providers, and patients over allegations of claim denials and obstacles to accessing necessary treatments.
Critics contend that insurers are inserting themselves into even standard medical decisions, causing delays that, in some cases, may hinder recovery or pose serious risks to patient survival.
What are the issues people have with insurers?
Doctors and patients are growing increasingly frustrated with the prior authorization process, which requires insurers to approve surgeries or treatments before they can take place.
A report released in October revealed that UnitedHealthcare’s rate of denying prior authorization for certain Medicare Advantage patients has significantly increased in recent years. This issue was also flagged in the same report for other major insurers like Humana and CVS.
Insurers defend these practices, claiming they are necessary to prevent unnecessary procedures and control the overuse of medical services, ultimately helping to manage healthcare costs.
However, the frustration goes beyond just treatment approvals. Many costly new medications for diseases like Alzheimer’s or obesity often aren’t covered by insurance, or have severe restrictions on coverage.
“Many Americans feel these companies prioritize profits over actually taking care of their customers,” said Mario Macis, an economist from Johns Hopkins studying trust in the healthcare system. “This creates a growing divide between what people expect and what they experience.”
What responses have surfaced on social media?
Following Thompson’s death, social media was flooded with anger and frustration directed at health insurers. Many posts, including some sarcastic remarks, expressed widespread discontent with insurance companies, especially UnitedHealthcare.
One Instagram comment humorously stated, “I would be happy to help look for the shooter but vision isn’t covered under my healthcare plan.”
Another user quipped, “Thoughts and prior authorizations!”
What is the public opinion on insurers in the U.S.?
In the U.S. healthcare system, patients rely on a mix of private insurers like UnitedHealthcare and government programs such as Medicaid and Medicare, which can be frustrating due to inconsistent coverage across providers.
Polls show widespread dissatisfaction with insurers.
A February KFF survey found that two-thirds of Americans blame health insurance companies for rising healthcare costs.
A 2023 KFF survey revealed most insured adults rated their insurance positively, but many reported issues like denied claims, network problems, and pre-authorization delays. Nearly half couldn’t resolve these issues satisfactorily.