UnitedHealth Group UCR Settlement Information
UnitedHealth Group UCR Settlement Disbursements
A federal court judge cleared the way for releasing payments in the 2009 settlement that ended the historic court challenge led by the American Medical Association against UnitedHealth Group. Nearly $200 million in awards were paid to settle claims from physicians for 15 years of artificially low payments from UnitedHealth for out-of-network health services. View the entire press release, and see below for more information.
The claim filing deadline was October 5, 2010.
The Court approved the final distribution order for the UnitedHealth Group UCR settlement on Feb. 3, 2012.
Physicians who filed timely claim forms as part of the UnitedHealth Group UCR settlement were scheduled to receive over $200 million of the settlement fund.
Physicians who filed claims and have not received their check by April 15, 2012, should contact the Claims Administrator (contact information below), if filed directly, or the Managed Care Advisory Group (MCAG), if filed through MCAG (contact information below).
Claims sent direct to Claims AdministratorIf you have not received your check from Berdon Claims, LLC, by April 15, 2012, and filed a claim directly to the Claims Administrator, contact Berdon Claims, LLC, by:
- Toll-free phone: (800) 443-1073
- Fax: (516) 222-0271
- E-mail: unitedhealthcare@berdonclaimsllc.com
Claims sent through the Managed Care Advisory Group (MCAG)
If you have not received your check from the Managed Care Advisory Group (MCAG) by April 15, 2012 and filed through MCAG, you should contact MCAG to inquire about the status of your settlement check by:
- Toll-free phone: (800) 355-0466 - press option 4
- E-mail: physicianservices@mcaginc.com
The following documents provide background on the UnitedHealth Group UCR settlement.
Settlement Frequently Asked Questions
Watch a video explaining the UHG UCR Settlement:
Please note: Claim file deadline was October 5, 2010
Settlement Notice and claim form
AMA members who filed a claim with the Managed Care Advisory Group (MCAG) may contact MCAG to inquire about the status of the settlement check. The AMA does not receive a commission or fee from MCAG. MCAG may be contacted by:
- Toll-free phone: (800) 355-0466 – press option 4
- E-mail: physicianservices@mcaginc.com
Date settlement reached by parties: January 13, 2009
Settlement expiration date: May 31, 2011
Preliminary approval date: December 3, 2009
Final settlement hearing: September 13, 2010
Claim Filing Deadline: October 5, 2010
Claims filed: over 600,000
Final approval of the settlement: February 3, 2012
Value of settlement: $350 million
Settlement Fund distribution: $250 million (after deduction of fees awarded by court)
Retrospective relief to providers: $200 million
Retrospective relief to patients: $50 million
Prospective relief: The development of a new independent database, FAIR Health enables patients and their physicians to look up the average charges for specific medical services in their area. Patients and their physicians can access this database alongside educational videos, payment terms and frequently asked questions that help them better understand the payment process and their out-of-network benefits.
Health care is one of the only industries in which over 80 percent of the revenue for services comes from parties other than the consumers themselves. Typically, the majority of physicians’ revenue is derived from health insurers or other third-party payers. In order to ensure smooth delivery of health care services, as well as fair payment for providers, it is vital that all physicians hold health insurers accountable to their agreements and payment responsibilities.
This need to hold health insurers accountable is applicable even to physicians who are not contracted with the health insurer. Out-of-network physicians should protect themselves and their patients from unfair payment reductions. Protect your practice from inappropriate payment reductions for out-of-network services:Press release: Court Approves Award Payments in AMA Legal Battle Against UnitedHealth
Press release: AMA commends NY investigation of health insurers
Press release: AMA victory in case against insurer achieved with record-breaking settlement
Press release: AMA: Patients and physicians prevail over health insurers
Press release: AMA announces physician class-actions against Aetna and CIGNA
Press release: AMA announces physician class action against WellPointWatch a video to learn about the FAIR Health database
Watch a video explaining the UHG UCR Settlement:
