STAT+: UnitedHealthcare’s lactation billing feud, and fake strokes

STAT PlusNewsletterHealth Care Inc. Newsletter UnitedHealthcare’s lactation billing feud, and fake strokes You’re reading STAT’s Health Care Inc. newsletter Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Bob HermanJune 8, 2026 Business of Health Care Reporter Bob Herman[email protected]Bob covers the money in health care, focusing on health insurance and hospitals. His stories delve into Medicare Advantage, opaque prescription drug benefits, and how much executives actually make. He is also the author of the Health Care Inc. newsletter. You can reach Bob on Signal at bobjherman.09. This is the online version of STAT’s weekly email newsletter Health Care Inc. Sign up here. I live in northwest Indiana, and it appears the Chicago Bears are going to put the team’s new stadium here, well outside the actual city of Chicago with almost no public transit and financed completely by Indiana taxpayers. The Bears are successfully pissing off just about everyone — no small feat. Send all Bears thoughts and health care tips my way! [email protected].Advertisement The breastfeeding billing battle UnitedHealthcare is cutting back on paying for lactation counseling, and the clinicians who provide those services are up in arms, another example of the deepening rifts between providers and insurers. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In CMS, drug development, government agencies, Health insurance, insurance, legal, Medicaid, medicare advantage, Policy, reproductive health, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Bob Herman Business of Health Care Reporter Bob covers the money in health care, focusing on health insurance and hospitals. His stories delve into Medicare Advantage, opaque prescription drug benefits, and how much executives actually make. He is also the author of the Health Care Inc. newsletter. You can reach Bob on Signal at bobjherman.09. Newsletter Unpacking the business — and secretive inner workings — of the U.S. health care industry Recommended The Readout June 8, 2026 STAT Plus: Novo underwhelmed by drug it once fought Pfizer for The Readout June 5, 2026 STAT Plus: Will Makary’s FDA voucher program survive? Advertisement D.C. Diagnosis June 4, 2026 STAT Plus: RFK Jr.’s second year: Vacancies, not vaccines The Readout June 4, 2026 STAT Plus: AI titans push Congress for DNA safeguards Business June 3, 2026 STAT Plus: HaloMD faces lawsuit alleging No Surprises Act middleman used ‘sham letter,’ misleading data Subscriber Picks