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LA Canyon News, CA
Dec 30 2007
Teen Dies When Insurance Denies Liver Transplant
by Susana Marcelo on Dec 30, 2007 - 3:57:00 PM
ENCINO - Nataline Sarkisyan died on Thursday, November 20 because her
insurance company denied her coverage for a liver transplant. She
died at 5:50 pm after her family decided to take her off life support
at UCLA Medical Center.
A memorial service and candle light vigil was held on Sunday,
December 23 for Sarkisyan at Birmingham Senior High School. She was
17 years old. Her family received support from various sources
including messages and telephone calls, and other memorial services
at Holy Martyrs Armenian Elementary and Ferrahian High School.
Sarkisyan's health insurance denied her claims for a liver transplant
because they claimed that the procedure was experimental and did not
fall under the line of coverage; however, when the health insurance
decided to approve the transplant it was too late.
She received a bone marrow transplant from her brother to treat her
leukemia, but her liver suffered complications shortly thereafter.
Therefore, her doctor sent a letter to her health insurance, CIGNA,
on December 11, but the request was denied and was not approved until
150 teenagers and nurses gathered in protest outside CIGNA's Glendale
office. CIGNA could not be reached for comment.
Sarkisyan's family is filing a civil case against CIGNA with the aid
of Attorney Mark Geragos. According to media reports, Geragos has
stated: "Their loss is immeasurable, and our thoughts and prayers are
with them," the statement said. "We deeply hope that the outpouring
of concern, care and love that are being expressed for Nataline's
family help them at this time."
Geragos will also try to convince the District Attorney's office to
press manslaughter charges against CIGNA.
Dec 30 2007
Teen Dies When Insurance Denies Liver Transplant
by Susana Marcelo on Dec 30, 2007 - 3:57:00 PM
ENCINO - Nataline Sarkisyan died on Thursday, November 20 because her
insurance company denied her coverage for a liver transplant. She
died at 5:50 pm after her family decided to take her off life support
at UCLA Medical Center.
A memorial service and candle light vigil was held on Sunday,
December 23 for Sarkisyan at Birmingham Senior High School. She was
17 years old. Her family received support from various sources
including messages and telephone calls, and other memorial services
at Holy Martyrs Armenian Elementary and Ferrahian High School.
Sarkisyan's health insurance denied her claims for a liver transplant
because they claimed that the procedure was experimental and did not
fall under the line of coverage; however, when the health insurance
decided to approve the transplant it was too late.
She received a bone marrow transplant from her brother to treat her
leukemia, but her liver suffered complications shortly thereafter.
Therefore, her doctor sent a letter to her health insurance, CIGNA,
on December 11, but the request was denied and was not approved until
150 teenagers and nurses gathered in protest outside CIGNA's Glendale
office. CIGNA could not be reached for comment.
Sarkisyan's family is filing a civil case against CIGNA with the aid
of Attorney Mark Geragos. According to media reports, Geragos has
stated: "Their loss is immeasurable, and our thoughts and prayers are
with them," the statement said. "We deeply hope that the outpouring
of concern, care and love that are being expressed for Nataline's
family help them at this time."
Geragos will also try to convince the District Attorney's office to
press manslaughter charges against CIGNA.