An Ontario man faced a $620,000 medical bill after a Florida hospital stay but is now breathing a sigh of relief as his insurance company has reversed its initial denial and agreed to pay.
Richard Bishop, a 74-year-old resident of Tecumseh, Ont., near Windsor, collapsed at the Orlando airport last March due to cardiac arrest. He required 14 minutes of CPR to be revived and was later fitted with an $80,000 defibrillator while hospitalized, leading to a staggering $620,000 medical bill.
Bishop had assumed his travel insurance with Greenshield would cover the costs. However, after an investigation, the claim was denied, citing pre-existing heart conditions. Bishop was left devastated, saying, “After you get an $80,000 defibrillator, they say, ‘Oh, we’re not paying.’”
In Martin Firestone, president of Travel Secure Inc., advocated on Bishop’s behalf, helping the family appeal the decision. Firestone argued that the insurance coverage had not been properly explained to Bishop before his trip.
“They called their insurance company before leaving and were assured their retirement plan coverage was the best there is,” Firestone said. He used this assurance as the foundation of the appeal, combined with support from CTV News.
Following the appeal, Greenshield agreed to pay the hospital bill for a reduced amount of $365,000. Firestone explained that negotiating down hospital bills in the U.S. is common practice. “This was a battle they decided they didn’t want to fight,” he said.
JP Girard, Executive Vice President at Greenshield, stated, “As a non-profit health and benefits company, the care of our members is our first priority. Upon receiving the requisite medical documentation, we were pleased this resulted in a positive outcome for the Bishop family.”
Bishop expressed immense relief and gratitude for the resolution. “This is a major relief, and it turned out really good that they did pay,” he said. He credited CTV News and Firestone’s efforts for bringing attention to his case.
The story underscores the importance of understanding travel insurance policies, especially for individuals with pre-existing conditions or changes in medications. Travelers are advised to ask detailed questions and ensure comprehensive coverage before heading abroad to avoid facing overwhelming financial burdens.