May 1, 2000
Two weeks ago we introduced you to a 2-year-old Layton girl who had a benign tumor on her face. The parents wanted it removed, but their insurance company denied the claim.
Well, the tumor is gone now - with insurance footing most of the bill.
Science Specialist Ed Yeates has this update.
Most insurance companies consider these kind of benign tumors cosmetic since they sometimes disappear at a later age. That's why Jason and Erika Roberts' insurance company denied the first claim.
But that's all changed over the past three weeks.
Abby's tumor is no more.
Erika and Jason took their daughter to a specially trained plastic surgeon in California. The tumor was removed in just one hour.
The next day - she went to the San Diego Zoo.
The Roberts are back home now, satisfied they made the right decision. And after reviewing all the appeal evidence prepared by Erika and Jason themselves, their insurance company agrees and will pay the bill.
Erika Roberts / Abby's Mother: "WE WENT EVERY STEP. WE WENT FROM THE PHYSICAL, WHAT COULD HAPPEN TO HER, SOCIALLY, HOW SHE WAS ALREADY STARTING TO GET WITHDRAWN. WE JUST PUT EVERYTHING IN THERE THAT WE THOUGHT HAD IMPORTANCE."
Ed Yeates, Science Specialist: "JASON AND ERIKA SAY THEY'RE ANGRY NOT SO MUCH AT THEIR OWN INSURANCE COMPANY OR ITS POLICY, BUT AT THE SYSTEM. MOST INSURANCE COMPANIES NOW SIMPLY DENY THE FIRST CLAIM."
The companies
know that may consumers will not take time to appeal.
In fact most parents at the San Diego clinic who had children in Abby's same condition were paying out of their own pockets.
Jason Roberts / Abby's Father: "DON'T LET THEM PUSH YOU AROUND. IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING YOU FEEL NEEDS TO BE DONE AND IF THEY DENY IT, GO AHEAD AND CHASE AFTER IT."
Based on previous cases, bruising on Abby's face and any serious scarring will disappear.
Since the golfball size tumor in Abby's face was turned over to Duke University for research. Scientists are trying to learn more about these cosmetic growths in children.
