Lawsuit charges Cigna with applying excessive co-pays
By HME News Staff
Updated Wed October 11, 2017
BLOOMFIELD, Conn. - Cigna allegedly developed and directed a fraudulent billing scheme that required benefit managers like CareCentrix to charge patients excessive co-pays, co-insurance or deductible payments for home care, according to a lawsuit filed in federal court in Connecticut on Oct. 6. The lawsuit was filed by a plan participant who alleges he paid almost 350% more than he should have for a disposable filter to treat sleep apnea, Bloomberg reports. The participant bought the filter from an authorized CareCentrix provider and was charged a $25.68 deductible, despite a contract to provide the filter for $7.50, according to Bloomberg. The difference—$18.18—was allegedly pocketed by Cigna, Bloomberg reports. The lawsuit charges Cigna with violating the contract and the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, as well as breaching its fiduciary duties under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. The patient seeks class treatment for thousands of other patients across the country.
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