By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-12-06 01:47:15 | Updated at 2024-12-22 11:54:36
2 weeks ago
UnitedHealthcare has disabled social media comments on its profiles after disgruntled patients began flooding the company with complaints following the assassination of its CEO.
The health insurer has been deluged by comments, many from people who say their or their loved ones claims have been denied. Its most recent Instagram posts announcing the death of Thompson let users like or share the post, but not comment on it.
The company is in the spotlight following the assassination of CEO Bryan Thompson, 50, who was gunned down on his way to an appearance at an investor conference in New York on Wednesday.
Thompson was expected to announce the business' hugely profitable 2025 financial outlook, including expected revenues upwards of $450 billion.
A motive has not been released for the slaying, but police discovered bullets inscribed with the words 'deny', 'defend' and 'depose' at the scene.
The inscriptions bear similarity to the Jay M Feinman's book Delay, Deny, Defend about the viciousness of the health insurance industry.
UnitedHealthcare put out a statement on social media expressing their sorrow following the murder, but was quickly inundated with angry comments. Currently, the most recent Instagram post where users can comment is from November 21.
'Just had a coworker find out she has cancer in her small bowel was denied a PET scan she is a registered nurse. Insurance is a scam and a money grab for the greedy. What a shame,' one person wrote on Instagram.
Comments were disabled after some callous people began cheering the death of the CEO, while others began to blast the insurance provider over allegedly failing to pay out for claims
UnitedHealthcare has disabled social media comments on its profiles after disgruntled patients began flooding the company with complaints following the shooting murder of its CEO Brian Thompson
'UHC has been denying my husband an asthma drug he's been on for five years. It turned him from a very severe asthmatic to someone who barely has asthma at all,' another wrote on Facebook.
'They used a retired orthopedic surgeon as the 'expert' on asthma to deny him access to this drug. I'm deeply frightened I'm going to lose him if he can't get this drug and goes back to being dangerously asthmatic.'
Others began making snarky remarks as they reposted the company's statement on Thompson's death, which attracted 3,600 'laugh' reactions on Facebook.
'Maybe stop denying healthcare,' one person said. 'This man had more blood on his hands.'
'Thoughts and prayers pending pre-approval and a referral from a specialist,' another added.
'Sending prior authorization, pre-existing conditions, denied claims, and collections (oh, and "prayers") to his family,' one person said, while another called it a 'delivery of karma'.
The UHC statement said the company was 'saddened and shocked' by Thompson's death.
'Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him,' it read.
Thompson, 50, who was gunned down on his way to an appearance at an investor conference in New York on Wednesday. The NYPD released this photo of a 'person of interest in the case'
Thompson's family left a note for media and well-wishers saying they have been left 'shattered' by his passing.
Thompson's $1.1 million Minnesota mansion - less than a mile away from his wife's $1.5 million mansion following their separation - had a note on its front door on Thursday asking for privacy.
'Brian was an incredibly loving, generous, talented man who truly lived life to the fullest and touched so many lives,' the note read.
'Most importantly, Brian was an incredibly loving father to our two sons and will be greatly missed. We appreciate your well wishes and request complete privacy as our family moved through this difficult time.'
The CEO's killer still remains at large and was last seen on surveillance footage fleeing the scene of the crime on what police believe was an e-bike.
Investigators released new images of the suspect as the manhunt entered its second day.
Police sources told the New York Post that they found an ID was used by the assailant when he checked into the HI New York City Hostel in the Upper West Side.
Law enforcement sources revealed that investigators obtained a fingerprint off a water bottle the suspected gunman left behind at the scene.
Thompson was expected to announce the business' hugely profitable 2025 financial outlook, including expected revenues upwards of $450 billion. Clues at the scene had led to suggestions the killer was angry with his company
A motive has not been released for the slaying, but police discovered bullets inscribed with the words 'deny', 'defend' and 'depose' at the scene
Angry social media users deluged UHC's social media posts with allegations about how their claims were denied. Pictured: The suspected gunman at a Starbucks just before the shooting
Insiders told CNN that the fingerprint was smudged, and is therefore less conclusive than a full print.
Officials added that they are still attempting to crack into a phone that was left behind at Thompson's murder.
Investigators believe the firearm used to kill Thompson was a modern version of a rare World War Two gun.
