Insurance giant reverses position, will now pay claim

on Jan 26, 2023 01:39:PM

A year after he grudgingly paid $20,000 out of pocket for knee surgery, Alan Cregg will finally be reimbursed that amount by his former health insurance company.

Cregg long disputed the insurance company’s refusal to pay his claim, pointing out that his surgery had been approved in advance by the insurer in writing.

But for more than a year, Cigna, one of the country’s largest insurers, refused to pay, saying Cregg, 66 years old when he had the surgery, should have been on Medicare Part B. Rather than risk ruined credit, Cregg paid the bills from his medical providers.

Cregg’s plight was featured in the Globe’s The Fine Print column on Monday. The column focused on the lack of clear communication regarding Cregg’s obligation to go on Medicare.

The column gained wide attention, with almost 300 readers posting comments to the online version, which was published under the headline, “Don’t make the Medicare mistake that this couple made. It cost them dearly.”

[Read More...]

Skip to content