Man living with stage four cancer denied life-saving lung transplant after insurance wouldn't cover it
Warning: This article contains discussion of cancer which some readers may find distressing.
A man who has been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer was getting ready to have a double lung transplant which could have saved his life when his insurance company denied him coverage.
American man Deron Wells said he had been medically approved for the double lung transplant and had been preparing for the journey to Chicago to receive the treatment.
ABC7 reports that he was going to be transferred from UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center, California, and make the journey to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago to be part of the clinical trial.
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The 59-year-old's wife Janet Savarimuthu explained that this was 'the last option we have', but despite getting medical approval for the transplant, the insurance company Cigna denied him.
"I hope Cigna really understands the seriousness of the situation. We're not just a number. We are talking about his life," Janet said of the need for her husband to have this lung transplant.
Lung transplants are rare as a form of cancer treatment, and in a statement to ABC7 Cigna said: "Our coverage guidelines are grounded in national clinical standards to help ensure the best possible outcomes for patients."
Wells has launched an appeal against the decision to deny him coverage, but in the meantime his friends and family are trying to raise money through a GoFundMe, which you can donate to here.
It says: "Our beloved friend, father, and husband Deron Wells is in the fight of his life — and time is running out.
"Deron has advanced lung cancer and has been medically approved by doctors at both UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles and Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago for a double lung transplant. This procedure is his only path to survival — and the medical teams are ready to act.
"But despite these clear medical approvals, Cigna, his health insurance provider, is refusing to authorize the transplant and the emergency medical transport needed to get him to Chicago.
"Without immediate intervention, Deron may not survive."
They're trying to raise $1.5 million to cover the cost of transport, the procedure itself, the recovery period after a double lung transplant and the expenses of temporarily having to relocate to Chicago.
The fundraiser said the man was 'one of the most loyal, kind-hearted people you’ll ever meet' and now they want to help him out.
Wells himself told ABC7: "I'm truly hoping that Cigna will change its tune and will have a positive outlook on this because I'm not done yet."
LADbible has contacted Cigna for further comment.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.
Joe Harker