United Healthcare Defeats $57,303 Wilderness Therapy Lawsuit

United Healthcare Services Inc. defeated an Ameriprise Financial employee’s lawsuit seeking reimbursement for his autistic son’s $57,303 treatment at a wilderness therapy program in Hawaii, after a ruling by a Minnesota federal judge.

United gave “sloppy and confusing justifications” for denying coverage for the son’s three-month stay at Hawaii’s Pacific Quest, Senior Judge Paul A. Magnuson said.

But its ultimate conclusion—that the son’s mental health issues didn’t require residential treatment—was reasonable, the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota judge ruled Tuesday.

United’s conclusion was supported by evidence, including the son’s lack of suicidal ideation, his “engaged and polite” ...