Hospital-insurer tussle in Arizona puts care denials front and center

UnitedHealthcare and Phoenix Children’s Hospital are embroiled in a bitter contract dispute that would lock out families and children from care at the hospital by June if the two sides don’t come to a new agreement.

And at least according to the hospital, the fight isn’t over prices, which is the traditional sticking point.

“We’ve been in negotiations for two months. We haven’t had any discussions of rates,” Phoenix Children’s CEO Bob Meyer said. “It’s denials. It’s getting out of hand.”

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