Update: Kossacks, you did it! You saved a life! CIGNA caved. Transplant approved. Per a comment by Shum at California Nurses.
As you read this diary, remember, today it's the child of a stranger, tomorrow, God forbid, it could be your kid.
I've received several urgent emails from the heroes at the California Nurses Association.
They need our help--today.
CNA is helping a desperate family who are fighting the merciless predatory beast known as Cigna "we're [cough,cough] in the business of caring".
I'd like to ask a favor from those of you who read this.
Could you help turn today into a day of rage?
Could you let CIGNA know we are strong, organized, outraged and will fight them at every bend in the road?
Will you spend a moment calling this scum MURDER BY SPREADSHEET for-profit insurer and demand that they approve the liver transplant. Please.
1-818-500-6262
Would you call Cigna and tell them that this young woman needs a liver transplant or She. Will. Die.
I'd like you to know a little bit about Nataline Sarkisyan, the child who will die unless we get this decision reversed.
She could be your daughter or mine. She might even be the daughter of Edward Hanway, the CEO of Cigna.
Nataline Sarkisyan, recently treated at UCLA Medical Center with a bone marrow transplant for curing leukemia, developed a rare complication from the chemotherapy and transplant causing many of her organs, including her liver and kidneys to shut down. Her doctors say that she needs a transplant but CIGNA has ignored this medical decision and calls the transplant "experimental" as justification for denying the treatment.
"My daughter survived two bouts of cancer, and against all odds has been stable even with so many of her organs not working, only to now be told that she can not get the only treatment that will save her life because some administrator in some office thinks it is too expensive," said Hilda Sarkisyan. "We needed help in standing up against this insurance provider, and of course it was the nurses who stepped forward."
Now I'm going to let you know why Cigna has denied this lifesaving surgery.
One frightening word, dear friends: PROFITS
Cigna profits increase 22% in 3Q
Cigna Corp. Friday released earnings guidance for 2008 and said that its third-quarter 2007 earnings were up 22 percent.
Cigna said a 5 percent increase in members for the first nine months of the year and an increase in Medicare Part D premiums helped push profits higher.
For 2008, the Philadelphia-based health insurer anticipates consolidated adjusted income from operations to range from $1.15 billion, or $4 per share, to $1.21 billion, or $4.20 per share. This year's consolidated adjusted income from operations should range from $1.1 billion, or $3.80 per share, to $1.16 billion, or $4 per share, the company (NYSE:CI) said.
Cigna said its third quarter net income was $365 million, or $1.28 per share, on $4.41 billion in revenue, up from $298 million, or 92 cents per share, in the year-earlier period on $4.14 billion in revenue.
Adjusted income from operations in the third quarter was $323 million, or $1.14 per share, up 37 percent from $268 million, or 83 cents per share, in the year-earlier period.
http://www.bizjournals.com/...
Maybe you also want to call the CEO of Cigna. He's a member of the AHIP board of directors.
Mr. H. Edward Hanway
Chairman and CEO
CIGNA Corp.
CIGNA Corporate Offices*
900 Cottage Grove Road
Bloomfield, CT 06002
860.226.6000
CIGNA Corporate Headquarters*
Two Liberty Place
1601 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19192
215.761.1000
Cigna Financial Strength
2006 Full-Year Revenues: $16.5 billion
2006 Net Income: $1.2 billion
Case Management Strength: Business Insurance® magazine, for the sixth consecutive year in 2005, named Intracorp the nation's leading case management services provider based on gross revenues generated by case management services.
CIGNA's current financial strength ratings:
Standard & Poor's – rating for Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC) is "A". Life Insurance Company of North America is not rated by S&P.
Fitch – rating for CGLIC and LINA is "A+"
A.M. Best – rating for CGLIC and LINA is "A"
Moody's – rating for CGLIC and LINA is "A2"
http://www.cigna.com/...
If you can't reach Edward, try calling AHIP, here's a number to one of the PR hacks, whose name I always see quoted in the newspaper.
Mohit Ghose - AHIP - America's health Insurance Plans
(202) 778-8494
It shouldn't be this way in the richest country on the planet. The blogoshere should not have to save lives.
This must change.
Let's be heard today. Let's show them we mean business.