Two Land of Lincoln policy holders have filed a class-action lawsuit against the Chicago-based insurer, accusing the company of fraud after it failed to notify customers it dropped University of Chicago's hospital and physicians from its network for 2016, reports Crain's Chicago Business.
The complaint, filed Tuesday by Daniel Blumenthal and Michael Hartzmark, alleges Land of Lincoln sold the plaintiffs 2016 health plans that included in-network coverage for U of C Medicine when the insurer knew the hospital would soon be dropped from its network, reports Crain's.
The lawsuit accuses Land of Lincoln of failing to share U of C Medicine's contract change with policy holders prior to the Dec. 18 enrollment deadline. In the complaint Mr. Blumenthal and Mr. Hartzmark argue they would not have purchased Land of Lincoln plans had they known it lacked U of C network coverage, reports Crain's.
In January the health insurer notified policy holders of their disaffiliation from University of Chicago Medical Center, set to take effect March 1.
According to the lawsuit, Mr. Blumenthal has received treatment for an undisclosed chronic disease at U of C Medicine for the past 10 years, reports Chicago Tribune. Mr. Hartzmark's wife was treated for a life-threatening viral infection at the hospital last year, and wants to continue seeking care at the hospital this year, the complaint said.
Both plaintiffs are seeking financial damages from the insurer for having to purchase new, more expensive health plans from other companies to obtain U of C Medicine coverage, reports Chicago Tribune.