UnitedHealthcare Faces Pandemic Criticism; Pediatricians Voice Discontent With Low COVID-19 Vaccine Reimbursement Rates

UnitedHealthcare is reportedly paying providers around half the normal rate for administering COVID-19 vaccines. The payer is also shortchanging pediatricians on COVID-19 tests. Healthcare providers have voiced their frustration as COVID-19 continues to rapidly spread throughout the United States.

“Among pediatric circles, UnitedHealthcare is often referred to as the “evil empire” since they are the least transparent and least cooperative among the major insurers, said Dr. Peter Pogacar, vice president of the Rhode Island chapter of the AAP and a pediatrician at East Greenwich Pediatrics. He said UnitedHealthcare is underpaying physicians for COVID-19 vaccine administration there too.” Read more here.

(Source: Nona Tepper, Modern Healthcare, 9/3/21)