Ron Cunningham and the estate of his late wife, Orrana Cunningham, received more than $15 million in damages. The lawsuit concerned Aetna’s coverage denials for Ms. Cunningham’s proton treatment for stage 4 nasopharyngeal cancer, which the suit alleges was denied three times.
The jury found out the proton treatment was covered on the Cunninghams’ plan, but at some point, Aetna made coverage for the treatment available for only members under age 21. The jury found Aetna guilty of reckless disregard, according to Oklahoma’s News 4. Mr. Cunningham was also awarded $92,000 back that he had used to mortgage his home to pay for his wife’s treatment, as well as another $500,000 and $10 million in punitive damages.
Aetna declined Oklahoma’s News 4‘s request for an interview.
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