UnitedHealth Group has retained Clare Locke, a top defamation law firm, to battle what it describes as false and inaccurate social media allegations against its practices.
The move comes amid mounting online criticism of the health giant and follows a string of high-profile incidents, including inflammatory accusations by a Texas plastic surgeon over the company’s conduct during a medical procedure.
UnitedHealthcare Disputes Surgeon’s Claims of Interference During Surgery
Dr. Elisabeth Potter, a plastic surgeon specializing in breast cancer reconstruction, sparked controversy when she posted a video on Instagram claiming UnitedHealthcare contacted her during surgery to discuss a patient’s overnight stay approval.
The January 7 post, which quickly gained traction on social media, alleged that the insurer subsequently denied the patient’s overnight stay and later threatened legal action over Potter’s public statements.
UnitedHealthcare strongly disputes these allegations. “There are no insurance-related circumstances that would ever require a physician to step out of surgery, as doing so would create potential safety risks and we would never ask or expect a physician to interrupt patient care to return a call,” a company spokesperson stated.
The insurer maintains that it had previously approved coverage for the patient’s care, including the overnight stay.
The engagement of Clare Locke, known for representing Dominion Voting Systems in its successful $787.5 million settlement with Fox News, signals UnitedHealth’s aggressive approach to managing its public image.
The Virginia-based firm, founded by husband-and-wife team Tom Clare and Libby Locke, specializes in “complex defamation matters and representing clients facing high-profile reputational attacks.”
UnitedHealthcare Faces Scrutiny Over Patient Care, Social Media Posts
According to documents shared by Dr. Potter, Clare Locke sent her a letter dated January 13 demanding she “correct your knowingly false, misleading, and defamatory posts regarding UnitedHealthcare.” The firm requested a public apology and retraction of her accusations.
Potter has stood firm in her position, writing on X, “I am a woman taking care of women affected by breast cancer. I do this work with all of my heart, and I will continue to speak up for my patients—because they deserve better.”
The controversy extends beyond Potter’s case. UnitedHealth has faced increased scrutiny on social media, particularly following the tragic death of UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson.
The company recently contacted the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding a since-deleted post by billionaire investor Bill Ackman, who suggested the company’s profitability might be “massively overstated due to its denial of medically necessary procedures and patient care.” The post reportedly contributed to a 4.3% drop in UnitedHealth’s stock price.
This latest development highlights the growing intersection of healthcare, social media, and corporate reputation management. As healthcare providers and patients increasingly turn to social media to voice their experiences and concerns, insurance companies face new challenges in managing their public image while maintaining their business practices.
The situation raises important questions about the balance between corporate reputation management and healthcare providers’ ability to advocate for their patients publicly. As this story continues to develop, it underscores the complex relationship between healthcare providers, insurance companies, and the platforms where their disputes increasingly play out.
