Connecticut Attorney General Examines Insurer’s Practice of Suggesting Patients Receive Vaccinations Through State

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal (D) is investigating a UnitedHealthcare policy in which the insurer urges patients to use the state's free childhood vaccine program instead of paying for the shots privately, the AP/Hartford Courant reports. State officials are concerned that other insurers, in an attempt to reduce costs, could adopt similar policies, which could lead to vaccine shortages and additional costs for the state. Blumenthal said, "We're very seriously concerned about it. If they direct patients they cover to use Department of Public Health supplies of vaccine, our hard-pressed stocks of vaccine will be seriously depleted and very possibly they will be in violation of their statutory or ethical duties." Blumenthal, along with Connecticut Medical Society General Counsel Cameron Staples, questioned whether the UnitedHealthcare practice violates the law. Staples, a Democrat who serves in the state Assembly, said, "There is a law requiring them to cover this. That is not the same as sending (patients) to a free state program." Debora Spano, director of public relations for UnitedHealthcare, said that by using the state's program, UnitedHealthcare is "fulfilling its obligation" to ensure that patients are vaccinated. She said, "It is free to any child in Connecticut, regardless of economic status. It's funded through tax revenue. ... If we charge people, they are paying twice" (AP/Hartford Courant, 7/2).