Former UnitedHealth doctors detail what changed at their clinics after takeovers

The physicians said they lost control over their schedules and started to feel like widgets

Oct. 17, 2024

Business of Health Care Reporter

For three physicians, the changes were gradual, and then unmistakable, when UnitedHealth Group took over their practices.

They lost control over their schedules, they were told to prioritize coding their patients’ illnesses, they felt like widgets. Those were the experiences of three former UnitedHealth doctors — Susan Baumgaertel, Michael Good, and Rubin Hirsch — who spoke at STAT’s annual summit in Boston on Wednesday.

“They seemed to harm more than help,” Hirsch said.

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Bob Herman

Business of Health Care Reporter
Bob Herman covers health insurance, government programs, hospitals, physicians, and other providers — reporting on how money influences those businesses and shapes what we all pay for care. He is also the author of the Health Care Inc. newsletter.