A retired San Francisco firefighter with stage 4 lung cancer is seeking city intervention after Blue Shield denied his treatment, raising concerns about insurance practices and access to lifesaving care.
A Michigan family faces financial and emotional turmoil after their insurance denies coverage for their son's necessary mental health treatment following a suicide attempt, highlighting systemic flaws in the US mental health care system.
Two brothers with Duchenne muscular dystrophy received gene therapy, which significantly improved one brother's condition, but insurance denied coverage for the other, raising concerns about fairness and access to life-changing treatments.
Two brothers with Duchenne muscular dystrophy received gene therapy, which significantly improved one brother's condition, but insurance denied coverage for the other, citing lack of medical necessity, raising ethical and legal concerns for their family.
A man with advanced colorectal cancer faced insurance denials for a promising non-invasive treatment called Histotripsy, which could extend his life and improve quality of life. Despite evidence of its safety and effectiveness, many insurers consider it experimental, leading to delays and financial burdens. The case highlights ongoing challenges in accessing innovative cancer treatments due to insurance policies, even as medical professionals advocate for broader acceptance and use of such therapies.
The article highlights the struggles of Americans dealing with health insurance issues while facing serious medical conditions, such as cancer. Patients like Arete Tsoukalas and Isaac Rosenbloom face high costs and denied treatments, leading to significant stress and financial burden. The recent shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has brought attention to widespread frustrations with the insurance system, as many people share stories of denied claims and unexpected bills. Despite these challenges, a majority of insured adults still rate their insurance positively, according to a KFF survey.
Rep. Ro Khanna expressed his condolences for the murder of UnitedHealthCare CEO Brian Thompson but was not surprised by the online support for the shooter, citing widespread frustration with insurance denials. Thompson was killed in a targeted attack in Manhattan, and the shooter remains unidentified. Khanna criticized the power of insurance companies to deny treatments and advocated for reforms, including requiring private insurers to cover treatments approved by Medicare and capping out-of-pocket costs.