GEICO and United Healthcare
No Company is Too Big to Play Fair.On January 24, 2024, Nichols Kaster—together with the California Civil Rights Law Group—filed a class action challenging the discriminatory practices that denied equal access to fertility treatment to individuals in a non-heterosexual relationship enrolled in GEICO’s, United Healthcare Services’, and/or UnitedHealth Group’s health insurance policy. The Complaint alleges that GEICO, United Healthcare Services, and UnitedHealth Group discriminated on the basis of sex and/or sexual orientation by requiring non-heterosexual individuals to undergo six months to a year of expensive medical procedures to qualify for covered fertility treatment, procedures that heterosexual individuals did not have to endure as they could merely state they were unable to conceive after six months to one year of sexual intercourse. The lawsuit goes on to assert unlawful business practices and unjust enrichment.
This is a civil rights class action, brought under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), the Affordable Care Act, California’s Unfair Competition Law, and the California Unruh Civil Rights Act. This lawsuit challenges the defendants’ illegal practices as endured by Plaintiff Reyna Dempsey and other similarly situated individuals. Plaintiff, on behalf of herself and members of the proposed Classes, seeks monetary damages and restitution.
This case is entitled Dempsey v. Government Employees Insurance Company, et al., Court File No. 5:24-cv-00425 (Northern District of California).
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Q:How do I join this case?
A:
As part of our investigatory efforts, we are interested in speaking with individuals in a non-heterosexual relationship who were enrolled in GEICO’s, United Healthcare Services’, and/or UnitedHealth Group’s health insurance policy prior to July 2023 and tried or wanted to conceive while being subjected to the defendants’ policy.
You may contact us toll-free at (877) 344-4628, write to us at Nichols Kaster, LLP, 235 Montgomery St #810, San Francisco, CA 94104, or email Attorney Jasjit Mundh at jmundh@nka.com.
-
Q:Am I eligible?
A:
This case seeks to represent all individuals in a non-heterosexual relationship who were enrolled in GEICO’s, United Healthcare Services’, and/or UnitedHealth Group’s insurance policy prior to July 2023 and tried or wanted to conceive while being subjected to the defendants’ policy. If you have questions about whether you are included in these classes, contact us.
-
Q:What is a class action?
A:In a class action lawsuit, one or more people, called the “class representatives,” sue on behalf of themselves and other people who have similar claims. Together, this group of people is called a “class” or “class members.” The class representative and the class members together are called the “Plaintiffs.” The entities or companies they sue are called the “Defendants.” The judge or jury resolves the claims for everyone in the class—except those who ask to be excluded from the lawsuit.
-
Q:How long will this take?
A:Class actions can often take years. Please check this page periodically for updates on the case’s status.
-
Q:How do I learn more?
A:
For more information or questions regarding this case, please contact our paralegal, Sydney Martens, at smartens@nka.com or call 612-256-3241.
-
Practice Areas
We fight for the rights of both employees and consumers nationwide. We represent people from across the country in employee rights, wage and hour issues, financial services, and civil rights & social justice claims.
Learn more -
Cases
We are experienced in handling individual and multi-plaintiff cases and have the resources to take on companies, organizations, and government agencies of all sizes. We are currently handling many cases to advance employee, consumer, and civil rights.
Learn more -
Our People
We are proud of the work we do. With a team of experienced, passionate, and talented professionals, we relentlessly work every day on advancing and protecting the rights of the people in the workplace, the marketplace, and our government institutions.
Learn More