A Florida woman decided to fight her $53,274 medical bill, and ended up winning, according to a WZVN report.
Beverly Baldwin, of Naples, Fla., was visiting family in New Jersey last year when she was burned in a house fire. She was rushed by ambulance to a small hospital in New Jersey, but was later airlifted to Temple Burn Center in Philadelphia, as ordered by her physician, according to the report. She was told by her physician that her insurance would cover the cost.
After receiving treatment and returning home to recover, she got a statement from Florida Blue, indicating the company would not pay the $53,274 bill for the helicopter airlift because the trip was not deemed "medically necessary," WZVN reports.
Ms. Baldwin decided to fight back, and contacted the physician in New Jersey. According to the report, the physician then wrote a letter to Florida Blue stating it was his medical opinion Ms. Baldwin faced "death or severe permanent disability" if she wasn't airlifted. She also contacted WZVN, who posed questions about the issue to Florida Blue.
The insurance company eventually agreed to pay Ms. Baldwin's $53,274 bill in full. The company also noted that members may appeal coverage determinations.