Columns The MS Wire - A Column by Ed Tobias Peeking Behind the Curtain at Medical Insurance Decisions Peeking Behind the Curtain at Medical Insurance Decisions by Ed Tobias | February 16, 2018 Share this article: Share article via email Copy article link Several years ago, I tried to get my insurance company to approve a functional electronic stimulator (FES). It’s a durable medical device that significantly improved my left foot drop. My request was well-supported by documentation from my neurologist and the physical therapist who was evaluating me for the FES. With the device, a Bioness L300, I was more stable, walked faster, and my risk of falling was decreased. But my insurance company denied the $6,000 device and my two appeals were also turned down. I wasn’t particularly surprised when I later learned that the doctor who denied my final appeal had no background in neurology, physiology, or treating MS, but I was a bit angry. CNN report draws back the curtains Fast-forward a number of years to 2018. The insurance commissioner in California recently launched an investigation into Aetna‘s insurance practices after learning that a former medical director for the insurer admitted under oath that he never looked at patients’ records when deciding whether to preapprove care. CNN obtained a transcript of videotaped testimony by Dr. Jay Ken Iinuma in a lawsuit brought by a 23-year-old college student in California who has a rare immune disorder. The patient sued Aetna for alleged breach of contract and bad faith because Iinuma denied pre-authorization for an infusion the student needed a few years ago. His suit alleges that Aetna’s “reckless withholding of benefits almost killed him.” Iinuma served as medical director for Aetna in Southern California from 2012 to 2015, and he’s the person who denied the treatment. According to the CNN report, “Iinuma — who signed the pre-authorization denial — said he never read [the patient’s] medical records and knew next to nothing about his disorder.” CNN continues: “Questioned about [the patient’s] condition, Iinuma said he wasn’t sure what the drug of choice would be for people who suffer from his condition. ‘Do I know what happens?’ the doctor said. ‘Again, I’m not sure. … I don’t treat it.’ Iinuma said he never looked at a patient’s medical records while at Aetna. He says that was Aetna protocol and that he based his decision off ‘pertinent information’ provided to him by a nurse. ‘Did you ever look at medical records?’ Scott Glovsky, [the patient’s] attorney, asked Iinuma in the deposition. ‘No, I did not,’ the doctor says, shaking his head. ‘So as part of your custom and practice in making decisions, you would rely on what the nurse had prepared for you?’ Glovsky asks. ‘Correct.'” If you read the full CNN story, you’ll see that Aetna claims that the denial of coverage for this patient had to do with the failure of the patient, who has a rare disease requiring an expensive treatment, to send the insurer some bloodwork. Because of this, his condition couldn’t be reviewed and his coverage was denied. As far as this column is concerned, however, that isn’t the point. The point, to me, is that a doctor admittedly denied coverage without even glancing at a patient’s records, according to the doctor’s own testimony. How widespread is the problem? I have to wonder how many coverage requests crossed Dr. Iinuma’s desk each month and how much time he devoted to each of them. I wonder how many other medical directors like Dr. Iinuma work for Aetna, and how many of them also fail to look at the records. These questions likely will be asked by the California insurance commissioner. But how many other medical insurance companies follow the same procedures as Aetna in using physicians who may know nothing about the patient or the disease that they’re reviewing when making coverage decisions? Or, worse, physicians who may not even be looking at a patient’s records? Knowledge is power The lawsuit against Aetna is supposed to go to trial this week in California Superior Court. I hope that it will reveal a little more of what goes on behind the curtain of the medical insurance approval process. The more we know the better for all of us whose lives, literally, may depend on who’s behind that curtain turning thumbs up or thumbs down. You’re invited to follow my personal blog at www.themswire.com. *** Note: Multiple Sclerosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Multiple Sclerosis News Today or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis. Print This Page About the Author Ed Tobias People say to write what you know and Ed Tobias knows about MS. He's lived with the illness since 1980, when he was 32 years old. Ed's a retired, award-winning broadcast journalist and his column combines his four decades of MS experiences with news and comments about the latest in the MS community. In addition to writing his column, Ed is one of the patient moderators on the MS News Today Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram sites. He’s also the author of “The Multiple Sclerosis Toolbox: Hints and Tips for Living with M.S.” Ed and his wife split their time between the Washington, D.C. suburbs and Florida’s Gulf Coast, trying to follow the sun. Tags FES Comments Laurie Warner United Healthcare recently denied me the prescription Ampyra for an unknown reason. I have been taking it for years. I was without it for four days before they reversed their decision after an appeal by my neurologist. I tried to be careful walking, but day three and day four I fell. Luckily, I didn’t hurt myself, but it could have been much worse. Does UHC think it would be cheaper for them to deny me the prescription Ampyra? Maybe. But it also could have cost them more in hospital bills for broken bones and/or a concussion, and then subsequent rehabilitation. Reply Ed Tobias Hi Laurie, Yes, it's very discouraging that the larger healthcare picture is almost never taken into account when these decisions are made. :-( Ed Reply Jerry Corras You don’t get an auto mechanic to fix your teeth. You just have to shake your head sometimes at insurance companies. ? Reply GARY SHAMBLEN I faced the same FES issue. After 2 denials my Neurologist made things clear to the insurance that for me this device is a "Medical Necessity". The last meeting was what the ins. co. called a Peer to Peer Conference where they are to have a doctor of same field as my Neurologist. They would set the telephone conference time and then their Dr. would not be available when called. Finally when the conference was held the first question my Dr. asked was "are you a Neurologist"? Answer-No. My Dr. told them to get a real Dr. as he was not there to waste his time. At that point they said they would try to do something on the claim. My insurance does specifically say that certain such devices are not covered. but they did pay about 40%. Just another example of the level of incompetence and deception that we patients are dealing with. They will try anything to delay, discourage, and even deceive to improve their bottom line. New innovations are coming out continually, especially in medicine, but having access depends on having money. Besides, we have a multi-billion dollar wall to build. There needs to be a nationwide legislative movement toward patient care for a better quality of life. Our elected officials are there because of our vote. That needs made much clearer to them. Reply Ed Tobias Good for you, Gary. Thanks for fighting the fight. Ed Reply Leave a comment Fill in the required fields to post. Your email address will not be published. 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