Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield has reversed a controversial policy decision related to anesthesia coverage after widespread backlash and amid the tragic murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The company issued a statement defending its decision, stating that the policy update was intended to clarify the appropriateness of anesthesia in accordance with established clinical guidelines, not to deny coverage for medically necessary procedures.
The policy initially sparked outrage when it was announced that Anthem would cap anesthesia coverage in certain states, which many interpreted as the company potentially refusing to cover parts of procedures if they took longer than expected. The controversy intensified, particularly after journalist Taylor Lorenz highlighted the issue and shared an image of Anthem’s CEO, Kim A. Keck, shortly after Thompson’s murder in Manhattan. In a post, Lorenz referenced the policy change and the frustrations surrounding it, with a comment that some interpreted as calling for violence against executives. Lorenz later clarified that she did not advocate for violence but was simply expressing a sentiment she observed online, urging frustrated consumers to send peaceful letters to executives.
Despite the timing of the reversal, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield has emphasized that the decision was not directly related to Lorenz’s post or the tragic events surrounding Thompson’s death. The company’s move to walk back the policy was framed as a response to what it called “significant widespread misinformation” surrounding the original policy update.
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