[Cynthia Foster]
Anthem Blue Cross, California's biggest for-profit health insurance company, has found itself in some hot water and bad press today.
First, there is the news of a lawsuit brought by a liver transplant recipient who claims the insurer would not approve his out-of-state transplant surgery. Ephram Nehme was told by his UCLA doctors that he would die while waiting on the long transplant list at their hospital, and that he should get on a list at another location where lists were shorter. Nehme headed to Indiana, but ended up paying for his surgery out-of-pocket when Anthem denied his claim.
According to L.A. Now, Anthem "says consulting physicians reviewed Nehme's case and determined that it was not necessary for him to go to Indiana to expedite his surgery."
Then, California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner says the company could face up to $7 million in fines for violating state law over 700 times during a three-year period.
From 2006 to 2009, Anthem failed to pay medical claims and misrepresented policy changes to customers. Poizner called these "serious issues." For more, check out the LAT story.
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