An insurance company has dashed the hopes of a stage four lung cancer patient getting a transplant as they denied him coverage. The Californian patient, named Deron Wells, was set to travel for his double-lung transplant when his insurance company, Cigna, left him high and dry.
The patient’s family disclosed that Cigna had initially approved him for the procedure and a transfer to Northwestern Medicine in Chicago for a clinical trial. However, Cigna reversed course on the day the 59-year-old was set to leave UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center.
The company denied coverage for both the transplant and medical transfer to Illinois. On hearing the news, Wells painfully told ABC 7 he was dismayed. He said, “I’m really sad that my life is in the hands of these decision-makers who seem to make these decisions in such a cold way.”
The patient’s wife, Janet Savarimuthu, emphasized the need for the transfer and for the company to reconsider. “The last option we have is for us to take him to Northwestern, period. I hope Cigna really understands the seriousness of the situation,” she explained. “We’re not just a number. We are talking about his life.”
Meanwhile, the company defended its decision to refuse coverage, arguing that lung transplants are not a standard treatment for lung cancer. “Our coverage guidelines are grounded in national clinical standards to help ensure the best possible outcomes for patients.”
The news provoked outrage from netizens, with many condemning the politics in the healthcare system. Others pointed out the case where UnitedHealthcare’s CEO, Brian Thompson, was murdered by a suspect, Luigi Mangione.
“Mangione is starting to look not so bad,” wrote one netizen. Another person replied, “He was never the bad guy if you’ve ever had the misfortune of dealing with American ‘healthcare.’” A third observer added, “Another murder by an American health insurance company.”
This netizen commented, giving an insight into United Healthcare’s new lawsuit. They wrote, “Mind you, United Healthcare, the one where the CEO got shot, is being sued by investors for not denying enough.”
The user continued writing, “This is the healthcare that the right thinks is the best in the world. Where some jackass looks at a number and decides your life isn’t worth it.”
Another netizen added, “They think that now the publicity over the Brian Thompson killing has died down, they can get back to the usual denials. We need to keep this stuff out there for people to see, name, and shame these companies.”
Wells has appealed the company’s decision, and while he awaits the outcome, a campaign has been launched to help him get the transplant.
