UnitedHealthcare Expands Liposuction Coverage, Ending Class Suit

UnitedHealthcare Insurance Co. will expand its coverage of liposuction to treat lipedema and reprocess claims that were previously denied, settling an ERISA class action that was set to begin trial in the Northern District of California.

UnitedHealth will change its coverage position to provide that liposuction is a medically proven treatment for lipedema and is thus medically necessary if certain criteria are met, the parties said in a settlement motion filed Wednesday. The insurer also agreed to allow patients to resubmit claims for liposuction that were previously denied, and to review new claims for the procedure under the updated coverage ...