If those employed at insurance companies could truly empathize with the anxiety of new parents seeking help for their newborn, perhaps we would never have to hear such terrifying tales again.

TikTok user @doctor.disney shared a frustrating and sad conversation he had regarding an insurance claim for a newborn. He said it was a “peer-to-peer” conversation, which means the insurance company said they wouldn’t pay for a procedure, and he had to talk to the doctor representing the company. Peter explains, “Usually it’s very cordial and things are fine,” but that wasn’t the case here. The doctor asked, “Why did you think that the baby needed all that?” She said she would approve the claim, but repeated that these procedures might not be necessary. As she said, “Do you ever think why Mother Nature lets those things happen?”

Peter exclaimed, “Doctors who compromise their integrity for insurance companies must realize that human life isn’t a commodity to be exploited for profit. There has to be a boundary.” And just like that, he left everyone speechless!

@doctor.disney

Please draw a line.

♬ original track – Dr. Peter, MD (:

It was impossible for anyone to view that video without feeling a surge of anger, and the comments reflected that sentiment perfectly. One viewer exclaimed, “I was shocked!” Another questioned if physicians are meant to adhere to the Hippocratic Oath. Additionally, one commenter stated, “I need to inform Luigi about this.”

Although U.S. health insurance is always top of mind, whether you’re watching an episode of Grey’s Anatomy and a patient doesn’t have coverage, or wondering how anyone can afford to give birth in a hospital. But, as this commenter alluded to, the high price of health care and the cruel nature of insurance companies has become even more of a conversation since everyone began talking about Luigi Mangione.

It’s absolutely horrible to imagine any person of any age being denied coverage for any reason, but how can anyone think that a newborn doesn’t need a procedure? Unfortunately, it’s not even a little bit rare for a baby to need help as soon as they come into the world. More than 90,000 babies are in U.K. neonatal hospital units. And many babies in the U.S. end up in the NICU because of a health problem, they weigh under 5.5 pounds, and the mother delivered the baby earlier than 37 weeks. It’s infuriating and shocking to imagine that insurance companies wouldn’t just approve claims for a newborn’s care without a second thought. This doctor said she would “do Peter a solid” and approve it, which is mind-blowing.

Tragically, insurance companies saying no to claims is not a new story. According to a 2023 study, some companies part of the Affordable Care Act deny a stagggering number of claims. In 2020, one company said no to 80% of claims. In 2021, one said no to 49%. As reported by PBS.org, Deidre O’Reilly was stunned at what happened when her son had an anaphylactic response. His life was literally saved, and the insurance company said “not medically necessary.” I’m sorry, I need to process that for a moment.

A TikTok user highlighted the urgent need for more doctors to stand up for patients like Peter, particularly those who are newly born! This situation underscores the ongoing issue of insurance companies prioritizing profits over care, while dedicated doctors and nurses at hospitals strive to provide the best support for their patients. It’s disheartening that these scenarios continue to occur, leaving us longing for a fresh, positive narrative to emerge.