New Public Policy Statement

UnitedHealthcare Retroactive Denial of Emergency Care and the Prudent Layperson Standard

Patients who fear they are having a true emergency should not be deterred from going to the emergency department. They should not be concerned about their insurance later denying coverage for their emergency department visit. Patients are protected from this under what is known as the Prudent Layperson Standard. The prudent layperson standard is not an issue contingent on the pandemic response but has served as sound policy in encouraging patients to seek emergency medical care at all times in our nation.