A man battling stage 4 lung cancer was on the brink of receiving a life-saving double lung transplant but was denied coverage by his insurance company.
Delron Wells, a 59-year-old husband and father of three, has been fighting the advanced cancer. He was approved for the transplant procedure and to transfer to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago for a clinical trial, but his insurance provider, Cigna, refused to cover the transplant surgery or the necessary medical transfer to Illinois.
“I’m truly heartbroken. My life is in the hands of these decision-makers who seem to make these decisions in such a cold manner,” Wells shared.
Wells’ wife, Janet Savarimuthu, expressed her frustration, saying, “Our last option is to send him to Northwestern, just like that. I hope Cigna truly understands the seriousness of the situation. We’re not just a number. We care about his life.”
Lung transplants are not typically considered a standard treatment for lung cancer, which adds complexity to the approval process. Cigna issued a statement saying, “Our coverage guidelines are based on national clinical standards to help ensure patients receive the best treatment outcomes.”
As Wells awaits a response to his appeal, his friends have launched a campaign to raise awareness and secure the necessary approval for his surgery. Scott Cohen, a friend of Wells, stated, “Delron deserves this chance, and we’re working so hard to make sure he gets that opportunity.”
Once an active and healthy father, Wells remains determined in his fight for survival. “I really hope Cigna changes its attitude and approaches this positively because my fight is not over,” Wells said.
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