Watchdog: Top Medicare Advantage insurers deny over 70% of long-term care requests

A government watchdog report finds the three largest Medicare Advantage insurers denied more than 70% of requests for long-term care and rehabilitation services. The analysis highlights a systemic pattern where private plans reject expensive, non-acute care, shifting patients back to traditional Medicare or leaving them without coverage. This finding aligns with ongoing Senate Finance Committee investigations into MA denial practices and provides concrete data for billing teams contesting similar denials. Expect increased scrutiny and potential audit activity around skilled nursing facility and inpatient rehab facility authorizations from UHC, Humana, and Aetna MA plans.