その事件は、コロラド州デンバーの夫婦に突然起こった。
夫がガンで入院。
莫大な治療費が重くのしかかる。
こんな時のためにと入っていたガン保険。 奥さんは請求手続きを取った。
しかしなんと保険金支払いは途中で中断。 原因は奥さんが当月の保険金を誤って少なく振り込んだこと。その差額たったの２セント。（日本円で１円６６銭）
「ひどい、あんまりだ。」絶望感に打ちひしがれる夫婦。
やってられないなあ、こんな目にあったら。 せめて定期引き落としだったらこんなことにはならなかっただろうに。
だが、救いの神はちゃんといた。 TV局側が徹底追求した結果、保険会社側が折れたのである。
おかげで保険金支払いは再開され、夫は移植手術を受けられることに。
めでたしめでたし。
それにしてもこの保険会社のしらばっくれた応対には腹が立つ。このようなケースは今回が初めてではなく、過去にもあったものと感じさせる。泣き寝入りした顧客もいたのではないか？ そう思うとやるせなさに襲われる。
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiaoRGDHHZY
本文
Imagine this. A vietnam veteran has cancer and is awaiting a stemcell transplant, when suddenly the insurance company revoked his coverage, revoked because his premium payment was two cents, two cents short. We learned of this story from our Denver station KMGH.
David Muir picked up a phone to get answers and got results.
It’s doctor’s appointment they’ll never forget. Ronald Flanagan,fighting cancer, multiple myeloma, was just moments away from getting a bone biopsy when his wife, in the lobby, heard this.
They told me, well, you know, you don’t have no insurance.
The couple was stunned. Especially because Ron was soon to get a stem cell transplant. Doctors had found a match. But their Cobra insurance coverage they were paying for after his wife was laid off, had suddenly been cut off. All because of a two-cent discrepancy. The last bill, $328.69, Francis paid $328.67.- two cents less by accident. Everybody is very surprised that two cents is enough to do this. And now we’re just pulling teeth and trying to figure out what’s the next step. Today,we called up that Cobra provider, Ceridian.
It’s David Muir at ABC world news in New York. First put on hold,then told by another worker we’d get a call back. And this afternoon, we heard from Ceridian. Could this possibly be true that they wdre dropped over two cents? WE’ve reviewed the situation throughly and to establish facts and we’re pleased to say that we’ve been able to work with the employer and Mr. Flanagan’s Cobra coverage was reinstated. I just got off the phone with his wife and they have not been told that yet. We are n the process of communicating with them. The Flanagan’s confirmed after so much worry over that two-cent error. It’s finally over. What would you say to mr. Flanagan tonight? Would you offer an apology? For what, specifically?
Knowing that ,they were dropped because of a two-cent discrepancy as he waits for a stem cell transplant? We followed the normal processes, which are in complete compliance with the law and the regulations. Mr.Flanagan tells us he’s already been back on the phone with the transplant coordinator telling him he has his insurance back now, trying to get back on that schedule. Diane?