United Healthcare Pays $2.5M Settlement Over Illegal Telemarketing Calls
Company
United Healthcare
Why
Unauthorized marketing calls
Total Settlement Amount
$2.5M
Maximum Individual Claimant Award
$1,000
Opt-out & Objection Deadline
April 15, 2025
Claim Deadline
April 15, 2025
A significant $2.5 million settlement has been reached, marking a victory for over 12,000 consumers who received unauthorized marketing calls. This United Healthcare lawsuit, filed as "Samson v. United HealthCare Services, Inc." in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, addresses violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) between January 2015 and January 2019.
The settlement payments are expected to range from $350 to $1,000 per affected individual. Eligible recipients must submit their claims by April 15, 2025, through the settlement website. The court will make its final approval decision on June 20, 2025, determining the ultimate distribution of these funds.
Court Orders United Healthcare to Pay $2.5M for TCPA Violations
Following preliminary court approval on January 15, 2025, UnitedHealth Group, the parent company of UnitedHealthcare, must pay $2.5 million to resolve allegations of unauthorized telemarketing calls. This United Healthcare class action lawsuit encompasses approximately 12,014 United States residents who received non-emergency calls through specific dialing systems.
The calls originated from three distinct departments within UnitedHealthcare:
The Medicare and Retirement Non-Licensed Retention Team
The Community and State National Retention Team
The Medicare and Retirement Collections Team
These unauthorized marketing calls highlight significant United Healthcare problems and raise questions about the company's legal and ethical issues. The use of artificial or prerecorded voice messages for telemarketing purposes without obtaining prior express permission from recipients is a clear violation of consumer privacy rights.
Individual compensation amounts will vary between $350 and $1,000 per person, depending on the total number of valid claims submitted. Eligible class members must submit their claims through the settlement website, either electronically or by downloading and mailing a PDF form.
This settlement represents a significant recovery for affected individuals, considering that TCPA violations typically allow for damages between $500 and $1,500 per unauthorized call. The court has scheduled a final approval hearing for June 20, 2025, in Seattle. Following final approval and assuming no appeals are filed, eligible class members will receive their payments within 30 days.
In conclusion, this settlement not only addresses the specific issue of unauthorized marketing calls but also sheds light on broader concerns about UnitedHealthcare's business practices and their impact on the healthcare industry. As the company faces increased scrutiny, it remains to be seen how these legal and ethical issues will shape its future operations and reputation within the health care system.