California teen dies after insurer reverses transplant decision

[one...two...tree 2,762]

GLENDALE, Calif. (AP) — A 17-year old died just hours after her health insurance company reversed its decision not to pay for a liver transplant that doctors said the girl needed.

Nataline Sarkisyan died Thursday night at about 6 p.m. at University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center. She had been in a vegetative state for weeks, said her mother, Hilda.

"She passed away, and the insurance (company) is responsible for this," she said.

Nataline had been battling leukemia and received a bone marrow transplant from her brother. She developed a complication, however, that caused her liver to fail.

Doctors at UCLA determined she needed a transplant and sent a letter to CIGNA Healthcare on Dec. 11. The Philadelphia-based health insurance company denied payment for the transplant.

On Thursday, about 150 teenagers and nurses protested outside CIGNA's office in Glendale. As the protesters rallied, the company reversed its decision and said it would approve the transplant.

Despite the reversal, CIGNA said in an e-mail statement before she died that there was a lack of medical evidence showing the procedure would work in Nataline's case.

"Our hearts go out to Nataline and her family, as they endure this terrible ordeal," the company said. " ... CIGNA HealthCare has decided to make an exception in this rare and unusual case and we will provide coverage should she proceed with the requested liver transplant."

Officials with CIGNA could not immediately be reached for comment Thursday night.

http://www.pennlive.com/newsflash/pa/index...;storylist=penn

[no name 1]

I saw that last night on the news - so sad.

[JODO 2]

Now this makes me mad!

[YuAndDan 153]

Sounds much like John Grisham's book and movie The Rainmaker

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Don't you think this family should be ever so grateful that the decisions on their daughters medical care were not made by bureaucrats in Washington but rather by bureaucrats in Philly? [/sarcasm]

[chispas 0]

unjust!

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

The article mentions she was vegetative - but still the idea that the insurance companies can or indeed should overrule a doctor's professional recommendation is rather unsetlling.

[mawilson 2,133]

Very sad

[eric&gen 0]

WOW how horrible.

[rebeccajo 14]

Unbelieveable.

[Cassie 8]

This just makes me angry and afraid all at the same time.

[Mags 112]

Sounds much like John Grisham's book and movie The Rainmaker

Yup, I read that a few years ago and was appalled. Even sadder that it actually happens in RL.

I think it is disgusting that an insurance company has the final say in treatment, absolutely disgusting.

[Reba 2]

The article mentions she was vegetative - but still the idea that the insurance companies can or indeed should overrule a doctor's professional recommendation is rather unsetlling.

She was in a vegetative state because the insurance company had denied the family's claim to have the transplant. Then they waffled and came back, too late, and approved it. Had they approved it the first time around, when the girl was concious and still healthy enough to survive the surgery, she'd have probably lived a good long life.

[T_and_A 3]

I am not agreeing with the actions of Cigna but they may have a valid point.

The patient was battling leukemia, had complications with bone marrow transplant that caused her liver to fail. If they had approved the transplant, the chances of this girl living a good long life is really slim.

If the bone marrow transplant didn't work then there is a really good chance that she will also have complications with a liver transplant. If the insurance company views the patient as terminal, they will not approve a transplant.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

If the insurance company views the patient as terminal, they will not approve a transplant.

And I thought that the doctor and patient should get to make that decision rather than some profit oriented insurance bureaucrat.