I'm often asked what made me quit the health insurance industry & become a whistleblower. A big turning point was the death of 17-year-old Nataline Sarkisyan. She should be celebrating her 30th birthday today, but died after a tragic saga with my company.
Here's her story: (1/7)
Here's her story: (1/7)
Nataline needed a liver transplant her surgeons were confident would save her life. But due to a little-known loophole called “prior authorization,” her doctors had to seek Cigna's approval in order to perform the transplant -- even though a perfect match had been found. (2/7)
2500 miles away from Nataline’s hospital bed, a Cigna medical director refused her doctor’s pleas. He’d never laid eyes on or examined her. But he ruled the transplant would be “experimental” even though liver transplants were listed in her policy as a covered benefit. (3/7)
When reporters learned that Cigna had denied the transplant, they called me because I was the company's spokesman. Eventually, Nataline’s case became a huge PR problem for us, forcing the company to reverse course and agree to pay for the transplant. But it was too late. (4/7)
"Prior authorization" requirements (which doctors say have become increasingly prevalent) are time-consuming. Patients often can’t get the care they need in time. That’s what happened to Nataline. 5 days before Christmas in 2007, just hours after Cigna’s reversal, she died. (5/7)
That was it for me. I quit and became a whistleblower, because I couldn't keep defending life-threatening industry practices like this. I'll regret for the rest of my life not blowing the whistle sooner on what essentially are industry death panels. It's now my life's work. (6/7)
You can learn more about Nataline’s life & dreams, and struggle to live, at the link below. I never had the privilege of meeting Nataline Sarkisyan, but I think of her every day. And today, on her 30th birthday, I hope many others will, as well. (/END.) natalinesarkisyan.com
