Patient rights activist wins battle to die in hospice with bills reimbursed
Judi Chamberlin of Arlington, a patient advocate known for championing the rights of the mentally ill, has won her battle to have her unpaid hospice bills reimbursed by her insurance company.
 Judi Chamberlin's final wishes are to die at home. |
Chamberlin received a letter yesterday from UnitedHealthcare saying the charges have been "reprocessed" for payment. The 64-year-old author and advocate is dying of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, an incurable lung disorder. Her plight was described in a Globe story last month.
"Please accept our sincere apologies for your frustration and inconvenience while trying to resolve issues with your claims," stated the letter from UnitedHealthcare appeals coordinator Ana Valdes.
"We strive to provide the highest level of customer service possible, and we expect that from all our employees," the letter continued. "We appreciate you taking your time to bring this matter to our attention. Information like this helps us improve the services we provide."
Thirty years ago, Chamberlin authored a seminal book touting patient control in mental health treatment. Late last year, as her lungs grew weak, Chamberlin decided to halt hospitalizations and instead receive home hospice care, which manages pain and emotional needs, but offers no curative treatment.
But United Healthcare informed Chamberlin, 64, in late April that she had "used up" all of her hospice coverage. That benefit is limited to $5,000 in the insurance plan Chamberlin has. The company told her she could file an appeal for an extension.
In her appeal, Chamberlin noted that it would be cheaper for the company to cover hospice than pay thousands of dollars each time she needs to be hospitalized. Chamberlin's doctor also attested to her medical need for hospice care.
As she waited weeks for the insurance company to decide her case, officials from a new hospice provider -- Arlington-based Visiting Nurse and Community Health -- read about her battle and offered to care for Chamberlin for free.
Chamberlin, who was having difficulty breathing and talking today, said she was relieved her insurance battle was over.
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I'm glad they finally saw the light on this, it's a disgrace when a person at the end of their life has to do battle with insurance companies!!
I admire your inner strength and determination Judi!
Thanks for bringing us the original article and this follow-up Kay.
Even when it's spelled out that this route will be cheaper in the long run, the brain dead pencil pushers still can't use common sense until they get exposed in the media. This is not a case of do the right thing , it's just damage control.
UnitedHealthcare just plain stinks. There was a very well orchestrated effort of appeal to the company to change its position. It amazes me that a company founded in the Midwest is so heartless.
This was such the right thing to do.
Judi your courage and inspiration will continue to inspire others
I am so pleased for Judi. She deserves no less than this. She has spent much of her life helping others and her insurance company was not doing the right and just thing. I've been blessed to get to know Judi and help care for her at home and she is a true inspiration. Kay, thank you for bringing this issue to light!
Judi,
Thank you for your continued advocacy for yourself and others even at this challenging time. It is an inspiration to me, one of your CLRD colleagues.
If she wanted more coverage than $50K hospice benefit, she should have paid the premium for it. Why should the rest of us foot her bill? You get what your relatively small premium pays for... Without coverage limits, your premium would be much more expensive.
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