Nisha Pradhan, MD

R4/PGY5 @UNCRadiology via @CUMedicalSchool & @sloan_kettering. Interests: breast radiology, anosmia, health policy & outcomes, cancer genetics, design thinking

[Elisabeth Potter MD @EPotterMD]

On January 7th, 2025 I shared a video, after I was asked to call UnitedHealthcare from the operating room to answer administrative questions about the patient who was having surgery to treat breast cancer. Despite my efforts, they denied her stay.

UnitedHealthcare didn’t stop at calling me during surgery. Now, they’ve sent me a legal threat—and even worse? They ended up denying my cancer patient’s hospital stay. Exactly what I was afraid would happen.

Staying overnight after major surgery isn’t optional—it’s medically necessary. But UnitedHealthcare decided they know better than the doctors caring for the patient.

When they called me while I was operating, I knew that if I didn’t step out and respond immediately, they might deny her stay—leaving her with a massive bill. So, with another surgeon in the OR, I scrubbed out and called them back. But after all of that? They denied her stay anyway.

And instead of fixing their broken system, they sent me a legal threat for speaking out.

I’m sharing their response in full, letting their words speak for themselves.

Let me be clear: I stand by everything I said. I told the truth. I was honest about what’s happening in our healthcare system. And I will not be silenced by legal threats when it comes to advocating for my patients and my ability to care for them.

Denying an overnight stay that a doctor orders is dangerous. The doctor caring for the patient should be able to make these decisions without delay, pressure, or harassment.

If I don’t speak up, I lose—my integrity, my voice, and the opportunity to make a difference. And while it’s intimidating to receive a letter like this from a company as powerful as UnitedHealthcare, I know where I stand.

I am a woman taking care of women affected by breast cancer. I do this work with all of my heart, and I will continue to speak up for my patients—because they deserve better.

I ask you to follow along, share this story, and have these conversations in your own communities. I know I’m not the only one dealing with this, and real change will take all of us telling our stories and standing up for what’s right.

I’m here for it. Are you?

[Dr. Glaucomflecken @DGlaucomflecken]

https://t.co/mUUVFZ6Iho ProPublica has done it again. These terrifying glimpses inside health insurance corporations are so important. People need to understand what we're up against. These corporations don't care about you. @Cigna

[Usha Lee McFarling @ushamcfarling]

In all the time I've been covering diversity in medicine, no one has mentioned Asian American doctors, except to say they're "overrepresented" relative to the general population. So no problem, right? Well, the data suggest otherwise. My story today: https://t.co/8Dc5qIUB3O

[Muhil Ravichandran @muhil_ravi]

My name is Muhil, and I first came to the United States when I was 2 years old. Despite living here lawfully for two decades, I did not receive my green card with my family because I aged out.

[antifa🔻girlfriend @lllliatttt]

ten years ago today, my older sister tamar died of treatable injuries sustained in a tour bus crash 5 days earlier while traveling in bolivia. this is a photo of her just hours before the crash. she was 20 and i was 17.

[Nick Dawson @nickdawson]

It’s my birthday! as tradition I’m donating to @RIPMedicalDebt because no one should suffer financially because they are sick. Let’s make it a game! For every like, I’ll add $1 and for every retweet I’ll add $5. (To be clear, I’m donating regardless, but this makes it fun!)

[Ajay Major, MD, MBA @majorajay]

This NYU VIP piece @nytimes is wild. Physicians being deemed "unprofessional" for not meeting VIP demands. Medical professionalism truly is in the eye of the beholder and is weaponized against clinicians. (Read more by @JamesHLeeMD https://t.co/lIDFgYgoVF) #medtwiiter

[Gabriel Bosslet @gbosslet]

This action is an assault on all physicians in the State of Indiana

Physicians around the country should be screaming to the high heavens about this https://t.co/dEolM9po0R

[Harry Thomas @DrHarryThomas]

“Mayo Clinic avoided $587 million in taxes in 2021 because of its nonprofit status, yet it spent $538 million less on charity care -- $49 million”

[Angela Zhang (张可赟), MD @zh_angela]

Last week my grandma was diagnosed with glioblastoma, after 3 months of vague symptoms, and given 6-9 months to live. Some thoughts I’ve had as a resident/”primary contact” at bedside, cultural/family interpreter, and granddaughter, (I’m sure I’m not the first one):

[Jocelyn J. Fitzgerald MD @jjfitzgeraldMD]

A non-medical friend recently asked me to describe clinic. I told her to imagine you have 20 meetings in a day, half of them new clients with urgent needs. Each requires your best self. You are late for at least 10 of them. You must prepare a report and deliverables for each one.

[The New York Times @nytimes]

Researchers who study Type 2 diabetes have reached a stark conclusion: There is no device or drug powerful enough to counter the effects of poverty, pollution, stress, a broken food system, cities that aren't walkable, and inequitable access to healthcare. https://t.co/aQUve1pQW1

[Lipscomb University @lipscomb]

With a heavy heart, we share that Dr. Kevin Clauson, professor of pharmacy practice in the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, passed away yesterday. Please keep the Clauson family lifted in prayer during this time.
https://t.co/weE4jYJqlI

[Dr. Vid Yogeswaran, MD MS FACC @VidYogeswaran]

In medical school I missed a grandparents funeral to make sure I honored my rotation. Now, after 7 years of guilt, I’m flying to Australia and missing a week of cardiology fellowship for another. Thankful for supportive programs and a shift in culture with medicine.

[Sanjee Baksh @S__Baksh]

A lot of times when people ask me how intern year is going I say something like “it’s hard but I’m learning a lot!” And I think in part that’s because it feels impossible to describe that my job is largely witnessing snapshots of how extremely cruel life can be

[Chris Dier @chrisdier]

On the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina (8/29), I’m reminded of not only the destruction of my home and community, but also that the experience radicalized me. I was 17 at the time. These events below, personally and systemic, shook my worldview.

[Blonde Emergency MD 🇵🇸 @blondemedSJW]

My boyfriend asked me how often I see dead bodies and I’m like every couple of days and he’s like I’ve never seen a dead body.

I sometimes forget there are people who’ve never seen death.