Protesters arrested outside of UnitedHealth Group headquarters in Minnetonka

A protest held outside of UnitedHealthcare's headquarters in Minnetonka ended with 11 people arrested on Monday.

Over 150 protesters from People’s Action Institute’s Care Over Cost campaign showed up at UnitedHealthcare headquarters, with almost a dozen arrests made by Minnetonka Police Department for blocking the public street outside of the building.

The group was demonstrating what it believes to be improper denial of coverage by private health insurance providers, the biggest of which is UnitedHealth Group, the 6th-largest company in the United States by revenue that on Tuesday reported quarterly profits of $7.9 billion.

People's Action Institute says the arrested include those who have been directly impacted by UnitedHealthcare denials and retired physicians.

It's the second time this year that the nonprofit has protested outside UnitedHealth property in Minnesota as it continues its campaign to criticize health insurers for denying coverage to a too-high proportion of private or Medicare plan-holders.

“Health insurance coverage has expanded in America, but we are finding it is private health insurance corporations themselves that are often the largest barrier for people to receive the care they and their doctor agree they need," said Aija Nemer-Aanerud, "Health Care for All" campaign director with People’s Action Institute.

"The safety and security of our employees is a top priority," UnitedHealthcare said in a statement. "We have resolved the member-specific concerns raised by this group and remain open to a constructive dialogue about ensuring access to high-quality, affordable care." 

UnitedHealthcare also confirmed that it will continue to try and have an "open dialogue" with the activist group, stating it has been in contact for months, and claims that most of the concerns raised by the group have been resolved. 

But Nemer-Aanerud said Monday: "We have asked UnitedHealthcare for systemic changes in their practices and they have refused.

"UnitedHealth Group made a decision to spend billions of dollars on stock buybacks, lobbying, and executive pay instead of paying for care people need. They are harming people for profit and should be held accountable for that choice.”