In December of last year, two individuals suffering from limb loss sued United Healthcare over its failure to cover certain types of prosthetic limbs. The plaintiffs had their claims for prostheses denied on the basis that the requested limb is not the most basic limb that will meet the individual’s needs.
The amputees sued United Healthcare, claiming that it failed to investigate the situations, and instead simply issued a blanket denial of coverage. The lawsuit claims that United did not assess or determine their functional needs, the minimum limbs that would meet those needs, and failed to identify any alternative prostheses that could meet their needs.
The plaintiffs are asking that the lawsuit be certified as a class action. The plaintiffs are asking that the class include all people covered under United plans whose requests for prosthetic arms and leg devices have been denied on the basis that the requested device was not the most basic device that would meet the individual’s needs. If the lawsuit is certified as a class action, that will allow others whose requests for limbs were denied to join the lawsuit and possibly receive compensation for their damages.
If you use a prosthetic limb, and your request has been denied by United Healthcare or another insurance company, call me, Conal Doyle, amputation attorney, at 310-385-0567. I’m currently in the process of working on several lawsuits against insurance companies for their failure to cover prosthetic limbs. Call today to learn more or to schedule a free consultation on your case.