An Alabama doctor is questioning Humana after the insurer denied authorization for an inpatient surgery involving a patient with confirmed colon cancer, according to a recorded call. The doctor said the September 23 procedure was intended to remove the portion of the patient’s colon affected by cancer. The exchange has since spread widely on TikTok, drawing strong criticism of the insurer.
The call was recorded and uploaded to TikTok by Alabama doctor Becca Anne, who posts under the username @becca_anne_5. The video received several million views, with commenters sharing their own experiences with insurance denials, high deductibles and difficulties getting treatment approved.
The recording shows Anne contacting Humana about the scheduled inpatient surgery. A Humana representative tells the doctor that the authorization was denied because the procedure was considered not medically necessary.
The doctor explains that the patient has pathology-confirmed colon cancer and questions the decision. The representative says she does not know why the procedure was denied and directs the doctor toward Humana’s Grievance and Appeals process.
Anne says they had already tried that process but could not find a clear way for a provider to file an appeal. According to the doctor, the website appeared to be set up for patients, while the provider phone line directed them to a website or mailing address without connecting them to someone who could help.
The Alabama doctor also says a new authorization request was submitted but was immediately denied as a duplicate, leaving them unsure how to challenge the original decision. The Humana representative reviews the authorization and confirms that it involves inpatient surgery scheduled for September 23. She says a provider assistance line may be able to help and offers to transfer the doctor.
The recording does not explain why Humana initially determined that the surgery was not medically necessary. It also does not establish whether the denial was later overturned or whether the patient ultimately underwent the surgery.
Alabama Doctor’s Humana Call Has TikTok Fuming
The comments were filled with people sharing their own frustrations with insurance companies. One user pointed to Humana’s executive compensation, writing, “Humana CEO made $18.76 million in 2025 btw.”
Some viewers said they were ready to drop their insurance. One commenter said they had stopped paying for coverage after being told they would have to meet a $5,000 deductible for a colonoscopy that would cost $3,500 without insurance. Others said they pay large premiums only to have treatment denied when they need it.
Medical workers also joined the discussion. One commenter who said they work as an authorization specialist described dealing with insurance companies every day as exhausting. Another claimed a UnitedHealthcare doctor had denied throat surgery despite an appeal and medical review, questioning whether the reviewing doctor had the right expertise.
Others questioned why insurance companies have the power to approve or reject procedures when they are not the doctors treating the patient. Some accused insurers of putting profits ahead of patients and pointed to executive salaries.
A few commenters suggested asking for a supervisor or filing an expedited appeal. Another person claimed automated systems had caused problems with their chemotherapy approvals, based on their own experience.
For this Alabama doctor, getting cancer surgery approved became a battle with the insurance company before the patient could even get to the operating room.
