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Article

21 Dec 2007

Author:
Rick Orlov, Press-Telegram (USA)

Father to sue insurer after liver transplant denied - Nataline Sarkisyan, 17, a leukemia sufferer, died hours after Cigna Healthcare reversed decision to deny surgery.

The death of the teen came just hours after Cigna Healthcare - which had twice removed her from liver-transplant lists, saying the surgery was experimental - sent a notice that it had reversed its decision and would allow a transplant. In a statement Thursday, the company said it was making a rare exception in reversing its decision. "Based on the unique circumstances of this situation, and although it is outside the scope of the plan's coverage and despite the lack of medical evidence regarding the effectiveness of such treatment, Cigna HealthCare has decided to make an exception in this rare and unusual case and we will provide coverage should she proceed with the requested liver transplant," the statement said...Geragos, the Sarkisyan family's attorney, said he believes the company made the decision only after it knew the girl was dying...In addition to a civil suit against the company, Geragos said he will ask the District Attorney's Office to review whether the insurer's decisions should result in criminal charges of manslaughter.