UnitedHealth reverses decision on coverage

MINNETONKA, Minn. – The nation’s largest health insurer has reversed a decision that denied health insurance for a healthy 2-year-old Colorado girl after her family talked about the case on national TV.

The family of Aislin Bates said she was denied coverage by UnitedHealth Group’s Golden Rule subsidiary because at 22 pounds, she doesn’t meet height and weight standards and could be at higher risk for becoming ill.

The Bates family appeared on NBC’s “Today” show Wednesday to talk about UnitedHealth’s decision. By Wednesday evening, the Minnetonka-based UnitedHealth reversed its decision, saying that after an “additional review” of the girl’s medical records, it would provide coverage for the girl.

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