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Medicare Advantage Rehab Denials Soar; RFK Jr. Calls Reform

6/11/2026

Summary

Story summary

A 2024 Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Inspector General report found Medicare Advantage plans denied prior-authorization requests for acute and inpatient rehab, 8%–80%.
UnitedHealthcare, CVS Health and Humana led denials, rejecting 70% of requests, while 95% of nursing facility denials were reversed.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pledged reform after insurers cut 11% of authorizations and UnitedHealthcare removed two-thirds of child requirements, citing incentives drive denial rates.

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Story summary

A 2024 Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Inspector General report found Medicare Advantage plans denied prior-authorization requests for acute and inpatient rehab, 8%–80%.
UnitedHealthcare, CVS Health and Humana led denials, rejecting 70% of requests, while 95% of nursing facility denials were reversed.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pledged reform after insurers cut 11% of authorizations and UnitedHealthcare removed two-thirds of child requirements, citing incentives drive denial rates.