UHC had several cases where they denied air ambulance transport for seriously injured car accident victims to a trauma center due to lack of pre-authorization.

UHC had several cases where they denied air ambulance transport for seriously injured car accident victims to a trauma center due to lack of pre-authorization. I'm a paramedic... "This is John, I'm a paramedic working on one of your patients who was hit by a truck. We would like to fly him to the hospital due to his multisystem trauma but we need your approval. His name? Hang on, let me find his wallet. No, that's Smythe, S-M-Y-T-H-E, sorry, it's a bit loud with the jaws of life in the background... Uhh, yes, sure, I can hold for a nurse consult..."