If the murder of a CEO doesn’t make leaders pause, what does it take? Here’s a challenge to leaders and decision-makers to get in sync with what is present in their environment, and with themselves. The Yahoo Finance page posted an article about health insurance CEOs responding to the assassination of Brian Thompson, UnitedHealth Care’s CEO. (NOTE: This blog borrowed heavily from the article. The link is below.) Reportedly over a dozen current and former health care executives and industry experts were interviewed. Some reactions addressed a need for these current leaders to become more reflective about their decision making processes; to rethink their business practices. Others felt there would be more of a “wait and see” attitude on what to do next, if anything.
One sore point is the industry’s use of artificial intelligence to speed up their processes. Once again, the “we work in a fast paced environment” narrative has created problematic outcomes. Technology and AI parameters have been identified as factors that have increased the denial of claims for patient services. The insurer has been the subject of many complaints since the new technology was incorporated for processing claims. UnitedHealthcare’s denial rate is at 32% while the industry average is around 17%. *
The article referenced a leaked video with the CEO of UnitedHealth Care’s parent company, UnitedHealth Group, Andrew Witty. Witty insisted UnitedHealth will continue to make its case for doing the work the same way they have been doing it.
By all accounts, the murder was a shock to the system. In any system, when a devastating blow has been dealt, it calls for a moment to pause, consider how such a thing happened and think through steps to prevent another stunning hit. Whether it’s a threat to a marital relationship, discovering a child has an addiction or social-emotional challenge, a breakdown in supply chain operations, or a financial deficit it’s time to suspend the same-old, same-old approach.
Now “WANTED” posters with the faces of health insurance CEOs suggest they could be victimized next. Do those people want to “wait and see”?
If you align with titles, perceived power, and high salaries check to see if you are out of sync with overlooking the long term outcomes of denying access to health care…like Thompson’s needless murder. How do you continue business as usual when your peers are meme targets? The Blackwaters aren’t ubiquitous.
This is one moment in the season we are in that calls for us to be restored to full humanity. Reconsider fast paced environments, AI’s shortcomings, listening to feedback, serving policy holders and saving lives.
