Former UnitedHealthcare Worker Recounts Walking Out After Being Told ‘Every Which Way to Deny’ a Widow’s Insurance Claims

A woman on TikTok is speaking out about UnitedHealthcare’s methodology of denying claims after being prompted by a commenter. Known on the platform as Mother’s Keeper Doula, she previously worked at UMR, a subsidiary of UnitedHealthcare, part of the UnitedHealth Group. After a commenter asked her to share her experience, Doula published a video on TikTok where she detailed UnitedHealthcare’s tactics.

Doula was taught methodologies to deny insurance claims in the medical claim department. Every policy is completely different so there was thousands of policies that employees had to memorize. Despite working for UMR for nine months, Doula said one specific claim involving a widowed woman stood out to her the most. The widow would call at least two to three times a day, asking for more information about her hospice claim involving her late husband.

Instead of paying the widow the hospice claim, UnitedHealthcare utilized the legal route in dealing with her claim. Upper management told Doula to deny the claim, despite there was absolutely no reason why the claim could not be submitted and be done. After leaving the UnitedHealthcare insurance provider, Doula inadvertently learned how to fight insurance companies from the other side.

On December 4th 2024, the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was a brazen, targeted attack.

The gunman was lying in wait for several minutes as he anticipated his intended target. Investigative efforts of the New York Police Department (NYPD) were well underway, and they would not rest until they identified and apprehended the shooter. NYPD Crime Stoppers announced a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible.

Thompson was shot and killed in midtown Manhattan in an apparent targeted attack as he was about to attend UnitedHealthcare’s annual investor conference. Thompson was walking toward the New York Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan, dressed in a suit and tie, to attend UnitedHealthcare’s annual investor conference being held in the ballroom. A gunman, masked in the freezing temperatures, waited for about 10 minutes before Thompson’s arrival and opened fire multiple times, striking him from about 20 feet away.

The gunman fled, cutting through an alleyway and hopping on to a bicycle. The shooting happened in Midtown Manhattan, at West 53rd Street and 6th Avenue. The suspect shot Thompson with what appeared to be a silencer. New York Hilton Midtown was deeply saddened by the events in the area and its thoughts were with all affected by the tragedy. Thompson was not a registered guest at New York Hilton Midtown.

Details on the circumstances were not immediately clear, but it appeared to be a targeted shooting.

Thompson was named chief executive officer for UnitedHealthcare in April 2021. UnitedHealthcare is part of United Health Group, America’s largest insurance company and one of the country’s biggest companies. UnitedHealth Group is the fourth-largest company in America as ranked by revenue. UnitedHealth Group abruptly ended its scheduled conference citing a very serious medical situation with one of its team members.

UnitedHealth Group was deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of its CEO, Thompson. Thompson was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him. Minnesota Governor and former Vice Presidential candidate, Tim Walz, called Thompson’s death a terrible loss for the business and healthcare community in Minnesota. Congressman Dean Phillips of Minnesota’s 3rd District was horrified by the assassination of Thompson.