Bill Eskew, who died in March 2017 of lung cancer at the age of 65, was diagnosed with an acute pain in his arm while playing golf with his son, William Eskew Jr., in northwest Las Vegas in the summer of 2015. He believed that his first shot of the day had dislocated his elbow. After being taken to hospital, doctors revealed that the pain was a pathological fracture from lung cancer – but Bill had not been diagnosed with the disease before that point. Bill Eskew, who died in March 2017 of lung cancer at the age of 65, was seeking treatment with a proton beam but was turned down by his insurer, Sierra Health & Life, who just lost $ 200 million in a lawsuit against his family To make matters worse, the family health insurance provider announced that it was going to stop offering private health insurance, leaving them to find another one by January 1, 2016. In February 2016, Mr. Eskew recommended proton beam therapy from his world-renowned radiation oncologist, but his new insurance company, Sierra Health & Life (SHL), rejected the request as part of a covert medical policy by them. which states that the plaintiffs could not claim that proton beam therapy for lung cancer. Without investigation, SHL rejected the allegation due to “lack of medical need”. That left Bill, then 64, with no choice but to undergo alternative radiotherapy, called Intensity Radiation Therapy (IMRT), which severely damaged his esophagus. In February 2016, Mr. Eskew recommended proton beam therapy from his world-renowned radiation oncologist, but his new insurance company, Sierra Health & Life (headquartered in the image), rejected the request as part of a covert medical policy. of those who stated that the plaintiffs could not claim that proton beam therapy for lung cancer For the next and final year of his life, Mr. Eskew, husband and father of two, suffered greatly, from not being able to eat or drink without much pain or food getting stuck in his throat. His wife, Sandy Eskew, said she had asked Sierra Health about her new insurance policy before signing any deal, adding that the insurer knew she was seeking proton therapy if her husband was a candidate. Ms Eskew hired lawyers Matthew L. Sharp and Doug Terry to find out how SHL could have turned down her husband’s cancer coverage, later filing a lawsuit as the widow was not informed of the proton treatment clause.
What is the side effect of lung cancer, a pathological fracture?
Pathological fractures are often skeletal-related events in patients with lung cancer that make surgical treatment decisions difficult. It is a bone fracture caused by an underlying disease. It results in high morbidity and reduced overall survival. Source: National Library of Medicine In 2019, the Eskew family sued SHL and this month won $ 40 million (30 30.7 million) in the Las Vegas District Court. Another $ 160 million (12 122.8 million) in punitive damages against Sierra Health & Life was awarded by a civil court and ordered by District Judge Nadia Krall. Lawyers Sharp and Terry said the inability to eat affected other aspects of Mr Eskew’s health and he was later withdrawn, isolated and suffering from esophagitis complications. In March 2017, Bill died of lung cancer and other reasons unrelated to IMRT treatment. Matthew L. Sharp said: “Through the discovery, Doug and I discovered a systematic claims process where SHL automatically denied claims without regard to the duty of good faith and fair treatment and knowing that policyholders would even suffer they would die. “ Widower Sandy told the Review Journal about the lawsuit’s victory: “It may not happen to the next person. “It simply came to our notice then. They just can’t do that. They do not know more than doctors. “It’s just wrong.” Health insurance company SHL has plans to appeal, a spokeswoman said. Sierra Health & Life, a UnitedHealthCare company, said it was “disappointed” by the jury’s ruling. “The verdict and the damages awarded do not reflect the facts of this case or the case of the laws that apply here,” UnitedHealthcare spokesman Gordon Shydlo told the Review Journal.
What are the side effects of IMRT cancer treatment?
Intensity-controlled radiotherapy (IMRT) is an advanced type of radiotherapy used to treat cancer and non-cancerous tumors. Advanced technology is used to manipulate photon and proton beams to adapt to the shape of a tumor. Small beams of photons or protons accurately launch a volume, with varying but controlled intensities. Some side effects may include hair loss, difficulty swallowing, skin irritation, nausea and vomiting. The most rare side effects include infertility, secondary cancer or even creams in the mouth, kidneys, brain, spinal cord, joints or other parts of your body. Source: Mayo Clinic
