Currently, there are lawsuits underway against Blue Shield, Anthem, and United Healthcare for their failure to provide certain types of prosthetic limbs to their members. The lawsuits are seeking damages and may be certified as class actions.
The lawsuits were all filed late last year. All allege that the insurance companies involved refused to pay for microprocessor-controlled prosthetic limbs. Microprocessor-controlled limbs use computers to control the limbs, using feedback from the limb. The other type of common prosthetic limbs is body-powered limbs, which have been shown to be more painful and cumbersome for users.
The insurance companies generally label the limbs as “investigational” and “not medically necessary”. They also sometimes claim that there are other, less expensive and more basic limbs that will meet the user’s needs. However, the lawsuits claim that microprocessor-controlled limbs have been in use for decades and have been shown to be very beneficial to users.
The lawsuits are all asking the courts to certify them as class actions, so that other plaintiffs can join in the same lawsuit. The lawsuits are also asking that the insurance companies be forced to change their policies regarding prosthetic limbs, and that the insurance companies be forced to reimburse the plaintiffs for their damages.
If you are suffering from limb loss and your insurance company has refused to pay for your prosthetic limb, you should speak with an attorney. Call Amputation Attorney Conal Doyle at 310-385-0567. I am not only a personal injury attorney, I’m also an amputee. Call today to learn more or to schedule a free consultation.