The words \u2018deny,\u2019 \u2018defend\u2019 and \u2018depose,\u2019 written on bullets found at the scene, evoke a similar rallying cry among many upset with insurance companies<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cryptic inscriptions scrawled on bullets found at the fatal shooting<\/a> of a UnitedHealth Group executive aren\u2019t just clues of possible motivation left by an assassin. They are also a variation of an angry rallying cry adopted by some people who feel they have been cheated by insurance companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The words \u201cdeny,\u201d \u201cdefend\u201d and \u201cdepose\u201d\u2014etched in Sharpie on bullet casings recovered outside the Midtown Hilton after Wednesday\u2019s deadly shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson<\/a>\u2014have focused attention on threats<\/a> faced by professionals in all levels of the health-insurance industry, from call centers to c-suites, as companies review their security measures and plan to step them up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The words are familiar to anyone on the front lines of the emotional battles between insurance companies and their customers over coverage issues. Patient support groups commonly use the refrain \u201cdeny, delay and defend,\u201d which is meant to summarize cost-driven insurance-company tactics<\/a> that some customers see as harsh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It has also become well-known among plaintiffs\u2019 lawyers who sue health, property and casualty insurers on behalf of patients, alleging coverage has been unfairly denied. Many of the lawyers now have the phrase on their websites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s a common saying,\u201d said Paul Napoli<\/a>, a plaintiffs\u2019 lawyer who has filed numerous lawsuits <\/a>against insurers, including UnitedHealthcare. \u201cIt\u2019s their modus operandi to figure out the methods and means to deny coverage.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n