Blue Cross Stands By Million Dollar Insurance Bill

Insurance company Blue Cross is standing by its decision to issue a $950,000 bill for a Saskatchewan family who gave birth to a premature baby while in the United States.

Baby Reece returning home to Canada (Photo Credit: Facebook)

Jennifer Huculak was 24 weeks pregnant when she and her husband took a trip to Hawaii last October. Before heading for their trip the couple purchased travel insurance from Blue Cross. Huculak went into labour and gave birth to her daughter prematurely and then spent six weeks in hospital. Before Huculak obtained the insurance said she informed Blue Cross that she had some bleeding in her pregnancy because of a bladder infection.

Huculak went public with her story recently stating that she has not received coverage for the birth and that Blue Cross is denying her coverage. Blue Cross has finally issued a public statement about the case and stands by its nearly one million dollar bill sent to the family.

“Like many of our neighbours and customers, we have been following the story of the Kimmel-Huculak family,” said the company in a statement. “At Saskatchewan Blue Cross, our goal is to help families avoid situations like this one.”

Blue Cross goes on to say that there are “more facts to this story” that prevents them from commenting further and reversing the decision on the claim.

Baby Reece returning home to Canada (Photo Credit: Facebook)

“In a two-page letter to Ms. Huculak dated November 15, 2013, we provided a full, point-by-point explanation of our review, citing nine specific events that prevent us from accepting her claim. This correspondence, and overview of the medical treatment she received over six months leading up to her departure, may be obtained directly from Ms. Huculak.”

The insurance company is urging Huculak to have the decision reviewed by an independent ombudsman and Blue Cross will cover any associated costs.