Man Nearly Denied Life-Saving Procedure Over 26-Cent Insurance Discrepancy
- 11 years ago
Mara Branco admits she made an honest mistake when she shorted the insurance company 26 cents, but she doesn’t think her husband should be denied a life-saving transplant because of it.
Mara Branco admits she made an honest mistake when she shorted the insurance company 26 cents, but she doesn’t think her husband should have to pay for it with his life.
Sergio, her husband, has leukemia and needs a bone marrow transplant, a procedure estimated at 500 thousand dollars.
Following his three-month sick leave, he was fired by his company and had to go through COBRA for his insurance.
Upon receiving the first bill of 518 dollars and 26 cents, Mara promptly paid it. The Paychex insurance company quickly cashed it.
Shortly after, the family received word from the hospital that Sergio’s insurance had lapsed.
Further investigation into the matter revealed that Paychex had cancelled the policy due to nonpayment of 26 cents, which was inadvertently left off of the check Mara wrote.
Phone calls poured into the company from the Brancos, his doctor, their attorney, and the Department of Labor.
Neither personal appeals nor reminders that their actions were illegal seemed to be working.
Finally, Mara received word that the insurance company would reinstate the policy.
Her husband’s transplant is scheduled to go on as once planned.
Mara Branco admits she made an honest mistake when she shorted the insurance company 26 cents, but she doesn’t think her husband should have to pay for it with his life.
Sergio, her husband, has leukemia and needs a bone marrow transplant, a procedure estimated at 500 thousand dollars.
Following his three-month sick leave, he was fired by his company and had to go through COBRA for his insurance.
Upon receiving the first bill of 518 dollars and 26 cents, Mara promptly paid it. The Paychex insurance company quickly cashed it.
Shortly after, the family received word from the hospital that Sergio’s insurance had lapsed.
Further investigation into the matter revealed that Paychex had cancelled the policy due to nonpayment of 26 cents, which was inadvertently left off of the check Mara wrote.
Phone calls poured into the company from the Brancos, his doctor, their attorney, and the Department of Labor.
Neither personal appeals nor reminders that their actions were illegal seemed to be working.
Finally, Mara received word that the insurance company would reinstate the policy.
Her husband’s transplant is scheduled to go on as once planned.