United Healthcare

April 28, 2006

I ran across this intriguing article regarding the compensation in the form

of stock options to United Healthcare executives. ly the amounts are

astounding to say the least. Here is an excerpt;

" The company has reported that the value realized from stock-option

exercises by its five highest-compensated executives, including CEO

McGuire, was $142.1 million in 2003, $191.5 million in 2004 and $12.2

million in 2005. UnitedHealth faces the prospect of owing back taxes on

those amounts. "

For the entire story, here is the link

For the sake of discussion, I am curious how long medical providers and more

specifically us as Physical Therapists are going to continue to bow to the

low ball reimbursement game of major health insurers and start insisting on

a reimbursement scheme that is at least reasonable. I live in a state where

the three largest insurers pay $50 or less per visit (including their 15 to

40 dollar copay) and their argument is that they are bleeding to death

monetarily speaking. Well I don't know about anybody else but judging by

the value of the stock options and salaries of the executives of these

companies, it looks like they can afford it to me.

How long will we allow the insurers and their surrogate lobbyists continue

to paint us as the bad guys stealing from their treasury?

Insurance subscribers pay their premiums in order to receive medical care,

not to line the pockets of corporate executives. It is time that they are

entitled to pay their medical providers what they are worth.

Sorry for the rant but this article got my blood boiling when I know

outstanding clinicians who are struggling to survive.

Regards,

Mark F. Schwall, PT

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