A family in Utah is fighting their insurance company to secure a life-changing prosthetic for their daughter, who was born without her left arm due to an amniotic band in the womb. Although they have received prosthetics in the past, their insurer, Select Health, recently denied coverage for an advanced robotic arm that costs $24,000.
RELATED STORIES: NYPD Claims Luigi Mangione Had No Insurance with UnitedHealthcare
Remy Bateman relied on prosthetics her entire life but after outgrowing her current device, her family looked for an upgrade to the Hero Arm. According to the Daily Mail, the Hero Arm is an advanced prosthetic that was tested in Colorado. The arm gave Remy confidence and functionality and her mother said she was able to do “more than 110 percent more than she could at home.” However, the family was disappointed when they learned that Select Health denied their claim.
The denial still stood despite the insurer’s previous approval of three prosthetics. Jami, Remy’s mother, filed an appeal, but her second attempt was also rejected. “This is 100 percent necessary,” she stated. “We’ve seen how much it can help her—it’s life-changing.” Select Health did not comment on the case, and the family launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds. So far, the campaign has raised over $15,400.
RELATED STORIES: California Leads By becoming first State To Offer Health Insurance To All Undocumented Immigrants
“We’re advocating for Remy and others who might face similar challenges. Every child deserves access to tools that can transform their lives.”
Jami believes that her daughter deserves the opportunity to use the prosthetic as it will be life-changing in all aspects.