Florida Woman's Arrest Over Her Threat to Blue Cross Blue Shield®: 'Delay, Deny, Depose'
Briana Boston's mug shot. Photo Courtesy of Lakeland Police Dept.
A Florida woman's frustration with Blue Cross Blue Shield® escalated into a series of events that led to her arrest, sparking a public debate about health care and insurance practices. After a denied claim, her alleged threat to the company quickly turned legal — but some see her as a symbol of a broken system.
The Threat That Sparked an FBI Investigation
Lakeland resident Briana Boston was arrested after allegedly threatening a Blue Cross Blue Shield employee on Dec. 10, 2024, following the denial of her insurance claim. According to the affidavit, Boston had called the company to dispute recent medical claims that had been denied, growing increasingly frustrated as the conversation continued.
Toward the end of the call, she allegedly stated, "Delay, deny, depose. You people are next," as reported by PEOPLE. The phone call was recorded, and its content was pivotal in the FBI's decision to escalate the matter to local law enforcement.
Why Boston's Words Sparked National Alarm
Boston's statement, "Delay, deny, depose," carried an alarming weight, given the recent high-profile murder of UnitedHealthcare® CEO Brian Thompson, who was fatally shot in New York City on Dec. 4, 2024. During the Thompson investigation, police discovered the words "deny," "defend," and "depose" etched on bullet shell casings at the crime scene, as reported by PEOPLE, making Boston's similar alleged statement especially unsettling.
The phrase "deny, delay, defend" is commonly seen as a critique of insurance industry practices that involve rejecting or delaying customer claims. This connection heightened concerns when a three-page manifesto was discovered on the suspect, Luigi Mangione, upon his arrest. In the manifesto, Mangione reportedly referred to insurance executives as "parasites" and wrote, "these parasites simply had it coming," as reported by Health News Florida.
Admission and Intent
When questioned by authorities, Boston acknowledged making the statement “Delay, deny, depose” and expressed regret, explaining she had used the phrase because it had been prominent in the news after the UnitedHealthcare CEO's homicide. Boston also admitted she was aware of its association with the recent tragedy but emphasized that she did not own any firearms and posed no threat to anyone.
Boston reportedly stated to officers that "health care companies played games and deserve karma from the world because they are evil," according to People.com. Despite Boston's claims of harmless intent, the investigating officer noted in the affidavit that her comments appeared to leverage the United Healthcare CEO's murder as a means to intimidate the insurance company.
While her medical condition remains unknown, Boston's remarks further fueled the controversy, highlighting the charged environment surrounding health care disputes and the lengths to which some individuals feel driven by systemic frustrations.
The Charges and Bail Conditions
On Dec. 11, 2024, Judge Catherine Combee charged Boston with a second-degree felony for making a "written threat to kill or injure and conduct a mass shooting or an act of terrorism," a crime carrying a potential 15-year prison sentence, according to Health News Florida.
Judge Combee set Boston's bail at $100,000, allowing house arrest with strict conditions, including a GPS monitor and limited travel.
Rallying Support for a Cause
As news of her arrest spread rapidly, supporters rallied in her defense. Boston's husband, Daniel, created a GoFundMe account to cover her legal expenses, raising more than $62,500 from more than 1,500 donors.
The $100,000 bond set for Boston has raised concerns on social media about its fairness, but some legal experts believe it is justified. Former federal prosecutor Shanlon Wu acknowledged that the bond seems high given that Boston has no criminal history, but suggested it may be a deterrent to others inspired by the high-profile New York case. Wu noted that the judge's decision likely aimed to discourage similar actions following the highly visible murder.
Denied Claims and Patient Desperation
The case sheds light on the often-contentious relationship between patients and health insurance providers. Boston's case has reignited discussions about the ethics of claim denials and the emotional toll on patients, leading to financial instability, delayed treatments, and mental health challenges for patients and their families.
While Blue Cross Blue Shield has not publicly commented on the incident, the case continues to draw attention to the broader debate over healthcare access and insurance accountability.
References: Fla. Woman Arrested After Allegedly Threatening Blue Cross Blue Shield After Denied Claim: 'Delay, Deny, Depose' | Supporters rally around Lakeland woman accused of insurance company threat | Is $100K Bond Fair for Woman Accused of Insurer Threats? Experts Weigh In
