Gastroenterologists Question Benefits, Note Potential Harms of New UHC Program (GI & Endoscopy News)

UnitedHealthcare launched its national Gold Card program on Oct. 1, promising reduced administrative burdens for providers adhering to evidence-based care. However, gastroenterologists are expressing concerns about transparency, fairness, and the impact on medical judgment.

The program, which exempts qualifying providers from prior authorizations for certain services, has so far excluded endoscopy procedures, leaving many questions unanswered. Experts like Dr. Andrew Albert worry that the program may penalize physicians for clinical decisions that diverge from corporate-driven guidelines. Similarly, Dr. Maria Abreu warns that the initiative could favor larger practices with more administrative resources, placing smaller, independent providers at a disadvantage.