WSJ: UnitedHealth seeks meeting with Trump as part of lobbying effort

UnitedHealth is seeking a meeting with President Donald Trump as part of an attempt to ramp up lobbying efforts, a new media report reveals. 

According to the Wall Street Journal, a White House official said Trump has yet to accept the meeting. However, UnitedHealth CEO Stephen Hemsley did meet with the president’s Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles, where the two discussed regulatory affairs, specifically related to Medicare. 

The paper also reports that Hemsley met with Chris Klomp, the deputy administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), over the summer. The conversation reportedly surrounded Medicare Advantage billing and related policies that govern such health plans. 

UnitedHealthcare, the insurance arm of the company, notably offers Medicare Advantage plans, which are privately administered and receive reimbursement directly from CMS. 

As previously reported by the Wall Street Journal, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is currently investigating the legality of reimbursement practices involving providers working with UnitedHealth. 

Specifically, the agency is looking into instances of suspected upcoding, where patients are diagnosed with more complicated medical conditions that earn higher payments from CMS. The company confirmed the investigation in a regulatory filing; however it has repeatedly denied any knowledge of fraudulent activity. 

In response to the report, a spokesperson with UnitedHealth said that “public policy shapes healthcare across America, and it’s our responsibility to engage with the administration and Congress at all levels to improve patient access and affordability.”

There have been no charges against the company, nor were any specific allegations of wrongdoing outlined in the report. However, the Wall Street Journal said the company is increasingly spending money on lobbying efforts. 

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