Patsy Bates, a 52-year-old breast cancer patient, just learned of a court order that awards her $9 million dollars in damages after her healthcare provider, Health Net Inc., one of California’s largest private medical insurance providers, cancelled her coverage just when she needed it the most.
Bates, a grandmother and hair salon owner, was undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer in January 2004 and had accrued medical expenses in excess of $129,000 when Health Net cancelled her coverage. She was forced to forego medical care until a charitable organization pitched in several months later.
A private arbitration judge, Sam Cianchetti, who is retired from the Los Angeles County Superior Court, ruled on the case, saying Health Net acted in bad faith and broke state laws. The ruling is the first of its kind and is expected to send a strong message to healthcare providers for the “egregious” and controversial practice of weeding out policyholders who accrue large medical bills.
Bates, a grandmother and hair salon owner, was undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer in January 2004 and had accrued medical expenses in excess of $129,000 when Health Net cancelled her coverage. She was forced to forego medical care until a charitable organization pitched in several months later.
A private arbitration judge, Sam Cianchetti, who is retired from the Los Angeles County Superior Court, ruled on the case, saying Health Net acted in bad faith and broke state laws. The ruling is the first of its kind and is expected to send a strong message to healthcare providers for the “egregious” and controversial practice of weeding out policyholders who accrue large medical bills.
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