UnitedHealthcare, through its Optum division, is facing backlash for allegedly limiting access to essential therapy for children with autism, including those covered by Medicaid. Sharelle Menard, a parent of a child with severe autism, reports that the insurer has denied therapy hours prescribed by her son’s clinical team, despite significant progress he made using applied behavior analysis (ABA), widely regarded as the “gold standard” for autism treatment.

Internal documents suggest Optum is implementing cost-saving measures, such as reducing therapy provider networks, terminating providers deemed "cost outliers," and denying coverage based on claims of insufficient patient progress or prolonged therapy duration. Autism advocates and experts have condemned these practices, stating they jeopardize critical, long-term care and violate established professional guidelines for autism treatment.

The controversy highlights growing concerns about insurance companies prioritizing cost-cutting over patient well-being, potentially setting a harmful precedent for families relying on life-changing therapies for their children.