July 20, 2023
Nearly two years after rejecting a deal, a California federal judge gave preliminary approval Thursday to a revised settlement between UnitedHealthcare and patients claiming the insurer refused to cover liposuction to treat a chronic health condition, but warned that class counsels' fees would be partially held back for now.
October 12, 2021
U.S. District Judge William Alsup denied preliminary approval of a class action settlement Tuesday between UnitedHealthcare and patients who claimed the insurer refused to cover liposuction to treat a chronic health condition, saying the deal cleared the way for "excessive" attorney fees and is "unfair to class members."
August 18, 2021
U.S. District Judge William Alsup tore into plaintiffs' attorneys over a proposed class settlement resolving claims UnitedHealthcare refused to cover liposuction treatments, saying Wednesday it "looks like a collusive deal" in which plaintiffs' lawyers get paid, "UnitedHealth gets what it wants, and the class members are left to fend for themselves."
August 12, 2021
U.S. District Judge William Alsup on Wednesday lodged a list of questions for attorneys who worked on a proposed deal ending a class action over UnitedHealthcare's alleged refusal to cover liposuction treatment, including asking why they had negotiated $875,000 in fees "in direct violation" of a standing order.
June 17, 2021
UnitedHealthcare struck a deal to end a class action lawsuit accusing the health care giant of violating benefits law by refusing to cover liposuction treatment, promising to reimburse policyholders and change its coverage policy.
January 26, 2021
UnitedHealthcare is "cherry-picking" facts while seeking summary judgment against a certified class of patients alleging it unlawfully refused to cover liposuction for treatment of a chronic condition, U.S. District Judge William Alsup said Tuesday, slamming the insurance behemoth for also "playing cute and hiding in the weeds."
September 30, 2019
A California federal judge tossed most of a proposed class action claiming UnitedHealth unlawfully refused to cover liposuction to treat a fat tissue buildup condition, saying the woman leading the suit failed to show that her plan was governed by federal benefits law.