A man fighting for his life against stage 4 cancer is now battling his insurance company, Cigna, after they denied him a critical surgery that would save him.
Deron Wells, 59, has been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. His doctors have approved him for a double lung transplant, the only chance he has to survive. But Cigna Healthcare has refused to cover the life-saving procedure and the emergency transport needed to get him to the hospital for the surgery.
Wells needs to be transferred to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, but Cigna denied the coverage for both the surgery and the airlift. Wells was set to be moved from UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center on Friday, but the transfer was canceled after the insurer turned him down.
“I am really sad that my life is in the hands of these decision-makers who seem to make these decisions in such a cold way,” Wells told ABC7.
His family says without this surgery, Wells may not survive. His wife, Janet Savarimuthu, is pleading with Cigna 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. We’re not just a number. We are talking about his life,” she said.
In response, Cigna issued a statement saying, “Our coverage guidelines are grounded in national clinical standards to help ensure the best possible outcomes for patients.”
However, critics point out that Cigna has a 21 percent claim denial rate, according to Value Penguin, raising concerns about the impact of such decisions on patients’ lives.
To cover the costs of the transplant, the air transport, post-surgery recovery, and temporary housing for his family, Wells’ friend, Scott Kern, started a GoFundMe campaign. As of Friday afternoon, it had raised $41,000. Kern is hoping to raise $1.5 million to cover the expenses.
“Deron deserves this chance that we’re fighting so hard to make sure that he gets,” Kern said.
Wells, determined to fight for his life, is hoping Cigna will change its decision.
“I’m truly hoping that Cigna will change its tune and will have a positive outlook on this because I’m not done yet,” Wells said.
